When Jencks speaks about the "withheld gratification" in art forms, to me, this connected with Barthes idea of the "readerly text" but in a bit of a different context. Jencks says that "When several possible readings are presented simultaneously, it is left to the reader to supply the unifying text" (285). This is similar to Barthes idea in that fact that both art forms are leaving the interpretations up to the readers or viewers. An art form can take on many different meanings to many different people if the artist leaves it open-ended.
However, Jencks speaks about the frustration that this can cause for the viewer or reader. As he says about Stirling's and Salle's work, "it is frustrating in the sense that it avoids a hierarchy of meaning. One has to look elsewhere to find a clearer expression of a unified view" (285). Being unable to form a meaning out of a book or work of art can definitely result in frustration for the viewers. It can also lead to many debates. Mona Lisa's smile has been in debate for years about whether it is sad, happy, mysterious, etc! In the same way, real events that occur can leave society with this same sense of frustration and misunderstanding. When the meaning behind something are so ambiguous that reasonable interpretations can not be reached or consensus on meaning can not be reached by multiple viewers or readers, that is where the frustration begins. And I think that is a fine line that artists must learn to control.
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1 comment:
This is a solid blog because of the multip[le connections to theorists you make (I don't know if you realized it but you also connect Jencks to the notion of tmesis though you do not mention that specifically). This is a great way to think about the class material and the readings - great preperation for the exam! You may want to relate these connections to the bigger picture, especially since your entry is a little on the short side! Careful for that in future.
Smiley Face :)
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