Hear hear! I've been telling everyone who will listen to me that there needs to be more humility and respect in art criticism . . . your "hospitality" is a perfect term for what I've been thinking about. And of course, such hospitality does not preclude sober-minded objection to an artwork's form, structure, methods, or style. But there ought to be a difference between objection and dismissal. There have been several films, books, music albums, etc. which I've found boring but I would rather keep that judgment to myself most times.
Danny, thanks for your post. It reminds me of the book Experiment in Criticism by C.S. Lewis. He's talking about books, but I think he suggests something to the affect that a good reader opens up to a work and tries to be receptive and generous. I appreciate people who are like this while still being discerning. Also, weirdly I feel like attempting to make your own creative works/art lends some humility and greater appreciation when critiquing others.
The Derridean idea of “hostipitality” comes to mind: as if to say “you’re welcome to come in (to my home, my conversation...)but on very specific terms that I may not explain to you!”
I think a good HUGE recent example of this was the Barbie Movie. I admit I was snobby about at first but suspended my apprehension for a little while to go see it, and ended up enjoying it. Not in its full entirety but at least for its messaging, talent, and design. I recognized it wasn't a movie for me- not in regards to "its just not my type" but it literally is not made to appeal to me. It's a film that discusses the experience of women in modern American life, and while it does gear a message towards men, the main idea revolved around women's lives. And I very much appreciated that. When I told friends about this I was mostly laughed at, and been told that I'd wasted my time, and that when I used Barbie as an example for a point, more laughter, and criticism came my way. I was utterly dismayed how suddenly everyone was a film critic and dared not "stoop so low" as to spend 90 minutes watching Barbie. Folks really get into a narrow mindset for art, and cinema et. all.
Hear hear! I've been telling everyone who will listen to me that there needs to be more humility and respect in art criticism . . . your "hospitality" is a perfect term for what I've been thinking about. And of course, such hospitality does not preclude sober-minded objection to an artwork's form, structure, methods, or style. But there ought to be a difference between objection and dismissal. There have been several films, books, music albums, etc. which I've found boring but I would rather keep that judgment to myself most times.
Danny, thanks for your post. It reminds me of the book Experiment in Criticism by C.S. Lewis. He's talking about books, but I think he suggests something to the affect that a good reader opens up to a work and tries to be receptive and generous. I appreciate people who are like this while still being discerning. Also, weirdly I feel like attempting to make your own creative works/art lends some humility and greater appreciation when critiquing others.
The Derridean idea of “hostipitality” comes to mind: as if to say “you’re welcome to come in (to my home, my conversation...)but on very specific terms that I may not explain to you!”
I think a good HUGE recent example of this was the Barbie Movie. I admit I was snobby about at first but suspended my apprehension for a little while to go see it, and ended up enjoying it. Not in its full entirety but at least for its messaging, talent, and design. I recognized it wasn't a movie for me- not in regards to "its just not my type" but it literally is not made to appeal to me. It's a film that discusses the experience of women in modern American life, and while it does gear a message towards men, the main idea revolved around women's lives. And I very much appreciated that. When I told friends about this I was mostly laughed at, and been told that I'd wasted my time, and that when I used Barbie as an example for a point, more laughter, and criticism came my way. I was utterly dismayed how suddenly everyone was a film critic and dared not "stoop so low" as to spend 90 minutes watching Barbie. Folks really get into a narrow mindset for art, and cinema et. all.