On Art

Cafe Society
1

I am certainly not a fan of Voltaire, but I believe he was credited with saying “Art is mostly useless”. I just thought I’d pop this thought into the Cafe Society and see I could get some support for the idea of adding a comment in this vein for each posting.

For example, someone might be discussing an exhibit by the famous artist Gregory Humbold (I just made up that name, so if it’s your real name, I apologize), and could say something about his painting “Nothing But Blue”, but then make sure to add the above mentioned idea:

I believe that this work was a brillaint commentary on the status of roses in the garden, yet shows brilliant attention to massing. The general picture is one of greatness. I can’t believe that moron Jones in the Weekend Review trashed it. He must be on drugs.

But, of course, art is mostly useless, after all.

Do I have any support for this idea? Can we start a movement here?

2

Of course, this would also apply to TV, movies, books, etc.

3

I think this idea has merit. Voltaire touches upon one of the deep cultural questions we ask ourselves, and you are good to bring it up.

Of course, Philosophy is mostly useless, after all.

4

Why?

5

Why not?

6

All great artists understand that art is “useless.” This is the pre-condition for greatness in art. Of what “use” could art possibly be?

Just as you cannot morally make use of another person, so you cannot aesthetically make use of an art work.