In a way, you've buried the lede: advanced levels of art require advanced levels of education. And in that sense you're helping with this essay. Understanding the "why" of art appreciation is, tautologically, the appreciation of art.
A food analogy: as a child you eat things that are stimulating because they are stimulating, e.g. sour lemon candy, sugar-nougat-crunch bars, sodas. Those might also also have a place in the adult diet (Michelin starred restaurants love to throw a cheeky Snickers in a sugo or whatever), but adults know, through education and ad hoc knowledge sharing that a kale salad is "better for you." The more a person is exposed to those knowledge sharing activities, whether through school, family, community, social media, or PSAs made by diverse public television actors in primary color polos and khakis, the more likely they're likely to, ahem, ruminate on a kale salad rather than spike a pleasure center in the brain with cronchy nougat.
A single course in film appreciation, whether at university or on YouTube, could introduce Spieltrieb to someone who previously could only be moved by explosive special effects and maudlin love stories.
A short explication of a good poem could elevate one's appreciation of text above the pablum of pop music lyrics.
But neither brain nor gut craves kale without a little nudge. The trick is, if you're inclined to educate, to effectively sell the value of Spieltrieb to those who haven't experienced it. Whether that's humor or scaffolding gradually from candy to kale to Snickers on sugo, it's a worthy pursuit, including on Substack.
Your writing somehow gets the balance of sensual and sensible right. Love this.
Your writing somehow gets the balance of sensual and sensible right. Love this.
Your writing somehow gets the balance of sensual and sensible right. Love this.
Your writing somehow gets the balance of sensual and sensible right. Love this.
EJ
In a way, you've buried the lede: advanced levels of art require advanced levels of education. And in that sense you're helping with this essay. Understanding the "why" of art appreciation is, tautologically, the appreciation of art.
A food analogy: as a child you eat things that are stimulating because they are stimulating, e.g. sour lemon candy, sugar-nougat-crunch bars, sodas. Those might also also have a place in the adult diet (Michelin starred restaurants love to throw a cheeky Snickers in a sugo or whatever), but adults know, through education and ad hoc knowledge sharing that a kale salad is "better for you." The more a person is exposed to those knowledge sharing activities, whether through school, family, community, social media, or PSAs made by diverse public television actors in primary color polos and khakis, the more likely they're likely to, ahem, ruminate on a kale salad rather than spike a pleasure center in the brain with cronchy nougat.
A single course in film appreciation, whether at university or on YouTube, could introduce Spieltrieb to someone who previously could only be moved by explosive special effects and maudlin love stories.
A short explication of a good poem could elevate one's appreciation of text above the pablum of pop music lyrics.
But neither brain nor gut craves kale without a little nudge. The trick is, if you're inclined to educate, to effectively sell the value of Spieltrieb to those who haven't experienced it. Whether that's humor or scaffolding gradually from candy to kale to Snickers on sugo, it's a worthy pursuit, including on Substack.