The tendency of art toward conformity is one of the themes
that seems to surface in the critiques of the Frankfurt School philosophers. Benjamin
argued that the mechanical reproduction of art resulted in the work losing its
aura, the uniqueness and original expression of the art. Horkheimer suggested
that mass reproduction of art, of appealing to the masses, meant appealing to
the lowest common denominator, which resulted in diminished quality and
potential. He argued against formulaic art and for quality over quantity. Adorno
suggested this much as well. He felt that mass reproduction of music, for
example, resulted in a cheapened standardized version of it and turned it into
a commodity. They
seemed to suggest that the potential for something unique, authentic, and
true is squandered by conforming to expectations about what is
aesthetically pleasing or commercially popular.
The philosophers implied that human beings willfully succumb
to this conformity, as well as consumerism, to feel happier and to escape the bleak
reality of a world that is “nasty, brutish, and short”. According to the members
of the Frankfurt School the point of art is not to make us happy, but to force
us to confront the reality of our suffering in this world. Art should be avant-garde,
experimental, against the status quo, and always testing individuals’
preconceived notions about what art is and should be.
I suppose few things ignite the fire of debate more than trying to discern
whether or not something counts as art. In 1917 Marcel Duchamp took a men’s
urinal, plopped it on its side, and presented it as art. What do you think; is
it interpretative avant-garde art...or is it just a pisser?
Brent, I think is great you bring this idea of conformity and non-conformity with art and the urinal example as an artwork as well. Personally, I don't think is art.I am just concerned about so many people using the work "art" or proclaiming themselves as artists just for doing a bunch of nonsense. My idea of art is that it has to be something that bring a new perspective or that helps to build a new idea of art itself or an interpretation of life in general. To give an example, when you observe a painting of Van Gogh or Monet there are so many things that you can learn from that work from the technique used or from that painting itself. I hope we can discuss this idea in class today a little bit more.
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