Platon wrote a dialogue called "Ion". This work is about an artist, called Ion, who has just won a great competition in reciting the famous epos´s of Homer. Ion meets the old man Socrates, and gets entangled in a conversation about art. The summary is, Ion just mimics Homer, with no real knowledge about the idea or structure in the work. Socrates shows him this by asking Ion questions and arguing about the answers. It ends with Ion admitting his ignorance.
I feel this is like my own situation. I, too, mimic the main way to tell and draw, and haven´t thought about looking at the basic structure of what I´m doing or asking myself where I am. I´m reasonably good in doing my craft, like Ion. But to be shiny on the surface isn´t the goal. Works of art should be like humans, creations with a soul, a functioning body and a distinct personality.
The philosophy of art is important, because you have to find your own answer. Imitating mainstream is a beginning, but isn´t the best.
Posts
Dette er veldig overførbart til musikken også. Spesielt vi som spiller etter noter kan fort ende opp med å befinne oss i samme båt som Ion. Vi har hørt en innspilling av et stykke som vi deretter prøver å herme etter, istedet for å finne ut hva komponisten mener med stykket, og så tørre å kombinere det med våre egne følelser og erfaringer.
ReplyDeleteBra blogg!
Jeg gleder meg til å høre deg en gang! Det må da ordne seg etter hvert! Bare denne eksamenstia er over, så ... ;-)
ReplyDelete