1. EachPod

HT2326 - The Problem with Liking Artwork

Author
Brooks Jensen
Published
Tue 22 Jul 2025
Episode Link
http://www.lenswork.com/hataudios/2025/hata_2025-07/HT2326%20-%20The%20Problem%20with%20Liking%20Artwork.mp3

What does it mean when we say we like someone's artwork? Its content agrees with our view of the world? That gets complicated because, for example, I like Picasso's Guernica, but I don't like war. Does it mean we admire their technique and craftsmanship? I have no doubt that Bartok was a talented composer, but I don't like listening to anything he wrote. Does it mean they've shown me a world I've never seen? Then why do I enjoy listening to the same music over and over again? Does liking artwork mean that it meets our expectations?

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