Art is subjective. It forces the observer to see something new in himself. The best art, makes him feel something, experience something, inspires something. Marina Abramovic’s work “Art Must be Beautiful. Artist Must be Beautiful” pushes the reader to question the fundamental principles of art and beauty.
Does art really need to be beautiful? According to Abramovic, no it doesn’t. In fact, one could go so far as to say that the best art is not beautiful because the observer must see the ugly side of life. Maria’s work was particularly moving because the vigorous brushing of her hair first appeared to be an acceptance of the statement that “art must be beautiful.” The video begins with her gently brushing her hair, softly chanting “art must be beautiful, artist must be beautiful.” However, as the video progresses and the brushing becomes more violent, I would assert that we see a more genuine side of Abramovic. Her swift and strong strokes of the brush, bring forth a new, more interesting dimension of her personality. I can see the increasing passion in her eyes and the tempo increases. The pain that Abramovic feels, is special and difficult to share. Pain is usually seen as a sign of weakness, yet her video appears to show her pain as a symbol of her strength. It allows us to glimpse into her “self” and understand who she truly is and how she feels. Abramovic’s work proves that art, and life for that matter, does not need to be beautiful, it just needs to be honest.
I think you're completely right to say that the best art does not need to be beautiful, just honest. Your point goes along with the idea that Pat Califia presents in her introduction to Macho Sluts: "I could keep my sexuality private, write about other issues, other sorts of people, and tell myself that these are more important themes, more universal characters, more valid as literature" (9).
ReplyDeleteInstead of using her writing to perpetuate society's sexual norms, which supposedly constitute the desires of the majority of the population, Califia and Abramovic choose to use their art as means of brutally honest self-expression, in hopes that someone will connect with their struggles or differences and feel less alone. This, I think, is a much nobler artistic pursuit than that of one who simply repeats what she or he has been told is "important. . . universal. . . [or] valid."