Audience: Response to Reading from Text

Response to the Introduction--Scoping an Audience

The piece entitled "Scoping an Audience" in the Introduction to the first chapter, makes several assumptions about people, and uses stereotypes that are trite and archaic.  The chapter refers to "privileged" art consumers and proposes that a person who is "privileged" could not be familiar with "ghetto" themes and traditions.  The use of the term "ghetto" demands the question:  Is the author referring to the Jewish ghettos of Nazi era Europe, or to the American low income projects and neighborhoods which inherited the name?  I am somewhat disturbed by the assumptions expressed by the author in the Introduction.

Response to "One-for-All:  Thomas Kinkade"

I am truly conflicted by this Kinkade chap.  I NEVER heard or was familiar with the artist, Thomas Kinkade, until the class discussion and the reading in the text.  Since my classmates and instructor say that Kinkade "...is in every mall..." I believe that my ignorance of his name and his works is a testament to how little interest his work sparked in me--if indeed I have walked past the paintings and not noticed the work or the artist.

I certainly feel that art can and should make people feel happy, and cheerful.  In my photography, I often focus on beautiful landscapes, and beautiful people--such as fashion models.  I believe that the emotion that a work elicits is the primary function of the art.  If works are created to exude cheerfulness and many people choose to purchase those works because they feel "good" about the work--I feel that the art has successfully delivered the message of the artist.

However, I am troubled by the aspirations of Thomas Kinkade, as described in the final paragraph of the reading.  Kinkade explains his brand of houses and furniture as an alternative to what is on television.  My biggest concern with Mr. Kinkade's stated idea of creating an idyllic neighborhoods, which reject the ugliness of the outside world, is Americans' apathy toward other people in other cultures and countries now.  Many Americans are oblivious to the troubles of the world outside our borders.  I feel strongly that surrounding ourselves with perfect paintings, in perfect houses, with perfect furniture, built in perfect neighborhoods only serves to isolate the American people.  We are becoming an island of spoiled children, consuming the world's resources, and looking down on other cultures.