[MD] The Quality of Art

[Peter Corteen]

Platt,

I'll admit to you that I don't find 'Guernica' an interesting work of art;
however I still have no problem acknowledging that it is art. I didn't hear
the rapper at the academy awards that Ham referred to but  I generally  find
that kind of music 'in your face' and confrontational and am not interested
by it but I had to use the word 'music' to describe it, so it is art too;
just not art that I like - I have heard some hip-hop music, however, that
was exciting and emotive enough to have me moving to it.

I know it sticks in the throat to say Tracy Emin's unmade bed is a work of
art but the British media calls it art nevertheless. I can't see her unmade
bed being around for very long some how but Damien Hurst's sharks in
formaldehyde are built to last as is the sculpture of another guy from the
Brit Art camp who's name I can't remember who did his own head in his own
frozen blood; only time will tell whether people will feel moved to allow
them to persist, maybe the financial investment value alone will guarantee
this though.

Has music advanced since Mozart? - I think you are right Ham, it has changed
and knowledge of the mediums, sound and light  has grown. On the other hand
I imagine seeing the Lascaux  cave paintings in situ could leave a longer
lasting impression than listening to your favourite piece of music. There is
such a lot to say about art but it is all personal opinion.

Peter