inexplicability/unknowability in art is not often understood as an intentional artistic decision, let alone respected as one. I’d almost call it entitlement on the part of audience, but it’s not even that, really. it’s a complete inability to ask - was this ever meant to be understood in full? is there a reason why it wouldn’t be? is it uncomfortable to think about? maybe it is supposed to be uncomfortable to think about.
there is a discomfort often present when you don’t understand everything about a piece of art and i feel like many audiences are eager to smooth it over & fill in the gaps with their own understanding so they don’t feel uncertain about it. but sitting with that discomfort is so important to interpreting art! even with works that DON’T have an intentional sense of preserving mystery, you just aren’t going to understand a piece of art 100% even if you want to. figure out why you don’t understand it. think on it. let that sense inform part of the art for you. it will give you a much more rounded approach to media criticism!
(via emo-communism)
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