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6 comments

1 Bob Levin  Sun, Mar 11, 2012 4:07:15am

Very good essay.

2 Romantic Heretic  Sun, Mar 11, 2012 7:31:25am

Interesting essay. But I disagree.

Although it may be true that 'art' has been hijacked for ideological purposes it's simply the inverse of the 'War is glorious!' hijacking.

"War", as Georges Clemenceau put it, "is a series of catastrophes followed by victory."

Accurate depictions of war, or even literary ones, serve a purpose. By informing people at an emotional level about the horrors of war. By doing so it let's people make wise decisions about going to war. People will ask the question "Will the cost in horror and blood be worth the gain?" Both Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler answered this question incorrectly.

War is a terrible thing. But like surgery it is sometimes necessary. Unfortunately many nations and people become surgical addicts.

As an aside when I see 'War Art' I immediately think of this painting.

Image: 019.jpg

3 Decatur Deb  Sun, Mar 11, 2012 7:40:29am

re: #2 Romantic Heretic

Post-WWI--

Image: pg448a.jpg

4 Bob Levin  Sun, Mar 11, 2012 2:52:32pm

re: #2 Romantic Heretic

That's not the point. The article is about how critics, who have entirely too much power in the art world, have narrowed the definition of art to a predetermined outcome and meaning. Once that happens, there can be no art, just propoganda. It's possible that some writers scraped away the myth of war, but then got stuck in the topsoil. The critics are in love with the topsoil, and refuse to think that there can be anything deeper.

This is why Raymond Chandler isn't studied in literature classes, which to me, is insane, as he could write circles around Fitzgerald. His work is dismissed, quickly, as merely mysteries or detective genre. However, Chandler states pretty clearly that he's writing a hero's journey--that is what the detective must do, fight through the realities of the world to get to the truth.

But in nihilism, there can be no heroes, no cause that is real enough to risk harm. Truth, in this universe, is simply an opinion. This is where nihilism keeps bumping shopping carts with narcissism.

The critics automatically reduce the artistic universe, which similar to what the church used to do with music, as certain notes were simply forbidden.

5 Romantic Heretic  Sun, Mar 11, 2012 5:03:45pm

If you say so, but all that is is the opposite of the glorification of war. Neither is the correct interpretation. In my opinion.

6 Bob Levin  Sun, Mar 11, 2012 5:37:18pm

re: #5 Romantic Heretic

The article is saying that the critics have too much power. Why is Altman's M*A*S*H better than Sergeant York? Why is John Ford sentimental but Kubrick a genius? No reason. But Kubrick and Altman reinforce the nihilism.

That's just on the subject of war. Nihilism covers any subject.

In addition, the glorification of war themes aren't really about war. They are about the qualities one should have at all times, that become apparent and more important in war. In addition, if we all had those qualities, cultivated those qualities, the need for war would be reduced--the reactions to dangerous situations would be different, not allowing the international tensions to rise to the level of war.


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