In his book of new age philosophy Psychomagic, Alejandro Jodorowsky states that (paraphrasing here...) "the world is ill," the role of art is to "cure" and that "art which doesn't do this is a failure." He ends all this by decrying the popularity of Kafka.
This is some of the biggest load of cobblers I've ever heard in my life. I've got absolutely no issue with his dismissal of Kafka (there is plenty to object to about Kafka and if I'm perfectly willing to accept any tirade of abuse you are willing to pour over him), it's what he's saying...
The word 'pessimism' seems to be a term no-one is willing to embrace in the literary/film/etc. world. Negative feelings are out there; people feel disillusioned; unhappiness outweighs happiness... there is more immorality than morality etc. etc. So, if it is present, why not discuss it?
The world is ill, Alejandro tells us - art is there to cure it... Ok, if that is your aesthetic - go ahead, do all the curing you can... But the fact is that 'art' can be very morally ambivalent and still be of value.
I do accept that 'positive' feelings are good for you. What I do not accept, however, is that the 'negative' must be hid behind a cushion never to be discussed or acknowledged.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment