The âBeholderâs Shareâ and The Importance of Reproductions
So, what is the âBeholders' Shareâ? Can âshareâ mean responsibility for, contribution toward, involvement with, of creative completion? Or, more simply, a âtake it or leave itâ situation? The question is particularly germane regarding abstract, non-objective Art. Especially since figurative images are usually recognized and viewersâ abstracting capacity is not required for the visual exchange. Even the notion of âart appreciationâ, an evaluative construct, does not seem to comport with aesthetic experiences, per se. Aesthetic arousal through creative viewing, by any beholder, is one of the beholders' share; and what an enormous share it is!
WHY??
BECAUSE!! "No Actual Significance or Meaning (save the artistâs thrust) is Actively Given to a Composition, Except By The Beholder."
Furthermore, the stuff of aesthetic experience is imbued with an emotional investment in the composition, painting or print. Therefore, a composition that continues to bear repeated viewings, over time, will also continue to gain favor, gain capital, assume meaning for the consistent viewer. Or, lose its connection with the observer. Loss of interest may be a defining measure of a works aesthetic potency, or lack thereof. Couching the importance of aesthetic experience in terms of 'arousal' and 'potency' may seem odd at first. However, the experience of being captivated by a piece in a museum or gallery can hardly rate as connection during the short time that is spent with it.
Music, on the other hand, is recorded and rerecorded so as to provide the listener the very opportunity of benefiting from every repeated sound nuance: every affect reproduced in a listener, as many times as that person desires - (read 'need to reconnect'). How many times must one go to a museum or gallery to view an imprisoned masterpiece to experience its aesthetic potency, to partake of their share? Few can afford to purchase masterpieces and many times if they do, the purchases are for investment or trading for profit. So, are serious beholders being denied their share of the entire shadow art world?? For this writer, the answer is, perhaps surprisingly, NO!; because the quality of affordable reproductions has improved enormously and could repair the chasm between unaffordable abstract compositions and new reproductions of old masters and the many highly-skilled creators of Abstract and Non-Objective Art.
Affordable figurative reproductions would flourish as well with the advent of very high-quality reproductions. Obviously, affordability would lead to ownership and provide more time to creatively view and lend meaning to any image of your choice. Abstract art and non-objective art does allow the beholder ample opportunity to engage in a very complex conversation that functions on a visceral, intellectual and neurological level by becoming more and more conscious of your own capacity âto abstractâ. Abstracting is the gerund of the verb âto abstractâ. Abstracting is synonymous with personal-making-meaning; giving meaning to your favorite pieces of abstract art and virtually everything else you value.
Overall, the 'beholder's share' contributes to one's Personal Development! However, development does take time and requires learning. If only the 'so-called' art-world would relax the stigma associated with affordable reproductions, anyone could own such a reproduction and enjoy their share of aesthetic pleasure, Much like the books in our personal libraries that are not original manuscripts. A reproduction would need to 'hold-up' to its aesthetic promise, its 'aesthetic arousal' or succumb to its lack of 'aesthetic potency'; its failure to attract. What follows is an addendum of collected phrases and ideas that, hopefully, will make the case for The Importance of Reproductions.
Reproductions also offer interested viewers to take optical risks, allowing artists' vision to emerge, not based on realistic portrayals of anything....interpretive freedom......with each and every observation.
Once a composition reveals its newness and mystery the observer is on a visceral, intellectual & neurological level that may open to sensitivities and reflections from one's fondest memories.
Art is for sharing, it can be charged with ambiguities that take a little time to decode; cognitive representations that are not solely visual but include feelings and empathic power. Looking at reproductions in a completely different way, by holding them to as high a standard as a beholder's share, the viewing experience becomes much more critical than had once been acknowledged. The value of good reproductions lie in their accessibility, being at least as affordable as mass-manufactured glitter found in box stores! Through "Augmented Reality", a smartphone app, the luxury to view enlarged or down-sized images, that match the size of most walls, can be obtained.
Reproductions of one's careful and informed choice, including size, framing, canvas quality, packaging, etc. can be arranged to be delivered in short order. This convenience is due to the current stewards of high-quality reproductions. Companies that are capable of delivering.
Please refer to Informative Guide @ Ad-Lib Viewpoints.
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This means you can use the camera on your phone or tablet and superimpose any piece of art onto a wall inside of your home or business.
To use this feature, Just look for the "Live Preview AR" button when viewing any piece of art on this website!