# The art of the world will be destroyed. You can only save 10 items. Which ones? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** arts-crafts\ **Created:** [March 9, 2022, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747 "2022-03-09T12:33:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/21 "2022-03-10T13:54:12Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Sure, though I was careful to say that you need to have seen them in order for you to form a _valid_ opinion, not that seeing them in person guarantees a _positive_ reaction. My comment wasn’t meant as a refutation of your point; I was just making a side observation. I completely agree that you can’t really honestly judge a work of art until you experience it in person. The same has been said about Jackson Pollock paintings, and it is very true that a picture in a book or on a computer screen does not do them justice. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/22 "2022-03-10T13:57:01Z")
> [@solost](#): > > My comment wasn’t meant as a refutation of your point; I was just making a side observation. Not a problem, I didn’t take it as such. Apologies if my response read that way ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/23 "2022-03-10T15:26:03Z")
Lascaux The Arnolfini Portrait by van Eyck Nighthawks by Hopper The Dream of the Fisherman’s Wife by Hokusai the Aztec Sun Stone The Peacock Skirt by Beardsley Bird in Space by Brâncuși Ubu tells the Truth by Kentridge The Butcher Boys by Alexander The Ife Head ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/24 "2022-03-10T15:51:50Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > > > This is the only painting I have ever seen that I would say HAS to be seen in person to truly appreciate. > > I think to have a valid opinion on any work of art, you _have_ to experience it first hand. Any painting, any sculpture, _anything_. Experiencing them second hand is like having someone describing a cake to you through words and pictures and you deciding that you do or don’t like it. I don’t think that’s true, unless you’re going down the rabbit hole of Magritte’s “this is not a pipe”. (To be clear, I’m happily living in that hole.) Instead, it’s better to point out that experiencing a reproduction of art is distinct from experiencing the art in person. Not worse, not better, just different. And I think we have to recognize that “you have to see it in person” is a very privileged view that excludes almost everyone from almost all art. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/25 "2022-03-10T15:57:56Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > I think to have a valid opinion on any work of art, you _have_ to experience it first hand. With a few exceptions I disagree with this as far as most two dimensional art goes. In fact, the real thing, roped off, under glass, and five feet above the floor in a museum is even less accessible to study and appreciation than a reproduction in a book or on a monitor. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/26 "2022-03-10T16:07:42Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Instead, it’s better to point out that experiencing a reproduction of art is distinct from experiencing the art in person. Not worse, not better, just different. OK, to be honest you’d have to say that “my response to a reproduction of the art is x” and that would be valid as long as you didn’t try to extend that response to the actual work of art itself. They are two distinct entities in my mind (and in yours if I interpret your post correctly) Me being unimpressed by a reproduction of “sunflowers” has no bearing on my reaction to the real thing. > [@Pleonast](#): > > And I think we have to recognize that “you have to see it in person” is a very privileged view that excludes almost everyone from almost all art. Perhaps, but it makes those rare occasions when we do see the real thing so much more powerful. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/27 "2022-03-10T16:08:20Z")
I don’t know enough about art to have wonderfully educated examples, but my decision process would be specifically to find best examples of different cultures, movements, and time periods. My mind thinks of this as more akin to a seed bank project more than saving what I like personally. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/28 "2022-03-10T16:09:27Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > With a few exceptions I disagree with this as far as most two dimensional art goes. In fact, the real thing, roped off, under glass, and five feet above the floor in a museum is even less accessible to study and appreciation than a reproduction in a book or on a monitor. I disagree strongly. (of course if a piece is inaccessible for viewing then I’d argue whether you were experiencing it first hand at all) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/29 "2022-03-10T16:10:30Z")
In no particular order: [Convergence - Jackson Pollock](https://www.jackson-pollock.org/images/paintings/convergence-photo.jpg) [The Star - Edgar Degas](https://wahooart.com/Art.nsf/O/5ZKC9M/%24File/Edgar-Degas-The-Star.jpg) [The Night Watch - Rembrandt](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/The_Night_Watch_-_HD.jpg/1200px-The_Night_Watch_-_HD.jpg) Guernica - Pablo Picasso The Sistine Ceiling - Bounarroti Followed by some Ansel Adams and some more Impressionists. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/30 "2022-03-10T16:26:27Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > > [@Pleonast](#): > > > > Instead, it’s better to point out that experiencing a reproduction of art is distinct from experiencing the art in person. Not worse, not better, just different. > > OK, to be honest you’d have to say that “my response to a reproduction of the art is x” and that would be valid as long as you didn’t try to extend that response to the actual work of art itself. > They are two distinct entities in my mind (and in yours if I interpret your post correctly) > > Me being unimpressed by a reproduction of “sunflowers” has no bearing on my reaction to the real thing. > > > [@Pleonast](#): > > > > And I think we have to recognize that “you have to see it in person” is a very privileged view that excludes almost everyone from almost all art. > > Perhaps, but it makes those rare occasions when we do see the real thing so much more powerful. Yes, we’re mostly on the same page. I’m definitely in favor of seeing art in person whenever possible. But I wouldn’t call the original “real” in opposition to a reproduction. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/31 "2022-03-10T16:53:46Z")
**Modding** : Please either drop the “See in person” argument or move it to its own thread. It is somewhat off-topic and is absolutely a hijack at this point. _Please note, I added to this myself._ ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/32 "2022-03-10T17:04:46Z")
OK, no problem, It was an interesting diversion but not strictly on topic. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/33 "2022-03-10T17:06:25Z")
Oh my, I haven’t seen this thread until just now. I’m going to have to go think about it to make a complete list of ten, but I think one item would be those cave paintings in France. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/34 "2022-03-11T01:31:55Z")
[_The Starry Night_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Starry_Night#/media/File:Van_Gogh_-_Starry_Night_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg) van Gogh The Monet [_Water Lilies_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Lilies_(Monet_series)#/media/File:Claude_Monet_-_The_Water_Lilies_-_The_Clouds_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg) murals at l’Orangerie [_Nude Descending a Staircase (no. 2)_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nude_Descending_a_Staircase,_No._2#/media/File:Duchamp_-_Nude_Descending_a_Staircase.jpg) Marcel Duchamp [_The Gates of Paradise_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Baptistery#/media/File:Lorenzo_ghiberti,_porta_del_paradiso,_1425-52,_00.JPG) Lorenzo Ghiberti [_The Burghers of Calais_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burghers_of_Calais#/media/File:Statue_bourgeois_calais_rodin.jpg) Rodin [_The Chrysler Building_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Building#/media/File:Chrysler_Building_by_David_Shankbone_Retouched.jpg) William Van Alen [_Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Heaven#/media/File:11_Temple_of_Heaven.jpg) (Beijing) [_The Pantheon_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome#/media/File:Pantheon_Rom_1_cropped.jpg) (Rome) [_Mask of Tutankhamun_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mask_of_Tutankhamun#/media/File:CairoEgMuseumTaaMaskMostlyPhotographed.jpg) At least one of the [“Moai”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moai#/media/File:Moai_Rano_raraku.jpg) (Easter Island) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/35 "2022-03-11T01:56:06Z")
I save nothing. Art could use a reboot. A reboot wouldn’t be worth destroying all existing art, but it’s worth the last 10 pieces. Otherwise, people will hold those last pieces in false reverence and we won’t actually get a fresh start. Or, if people have truly lost interest in art, then it doesn’t matter what I save. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/36 "2022-03-11T02:46:57Z")
> [@3AxisCtrl](#): > > Is music included? If so, how about a book (or memory device) with all of Bach. I like Bach, but if we’re saving classical music I’d go with Mozart. Especially his piano concertos. K 453 / the 17th in G major in particular. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/37 "2022-03-11T04:57:34Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > I think one item would be those cave paintings in France. You mean Lascaux? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/38 "2022-03-11T05:16:55Z")
> [@Bonum\_Legatum](#): > > Please, no items such as “the Pontiac GTO”. Obviously. You save the Ferrari GTO. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/39 "2022-03-11T20:27:25Z")
Yes. I didn’t name the caves because I didn’t remember how to spell the name. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2022, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747/40 "2022-03-11T20:57:54Z")
Lots of good suggestions. I would add something by Dali. Not sure which one. But let’s add a little surrealism [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-art-of-the-world-will-be-destroyed-you-can-only-save-10-items-which-ones/960747.md?page=3)