SB1 - Investigating Quotes Task 2

Continuing on from the investigations made in our seminar, I've carried out further research within the theme of aesthetics. Referring to Susan Sontag's idea "Rules of taste enforce structures of power", I have considered the following definitions:

Taste - The sense of what is fitting, harmonious or beautiful.
          - The perception of what constitutes excellence in the fine arts.
          - The sense of what is seemingly polite.

Power - Political or national strength.
           - The possession or control over others.

Rules - A principle or regulation governing conduct, action or procedure

Two key words that stand out to me here are perception and procedure. This definition of taste being a perception of what constitutes excellence reveals the very subjective nature of it, we all perceive art differently. And yet we operate a taste 'procedure' whereby the socially accepted 'tasteful' art is engrained into our culture of viewing and thinking. In agreeing or conforming to the taste of critics, curators or gallery owners, we appropriate their power over art hierarchies and taste. We are submissive to the seemingly 'highbrow' or 'acclaimed' artists such as Michelangelo or Van Gogh or Da Vinci because we are told they are good and informed this by their tourist attraction labels. We like these works and connect with them as we believe we have to. I have observed this sense of conformation in the National Gallery where there seems to be a permanent crowd around Van Gogh's Sunflowers. 

As viewers of such works, we uphold the power of the critics, enabling gallery structures to remain in force. This conformation, however, seems to challenge the issue of taste as here taste is unlearnt, impersonal and over popularised, begging the question then that is good 'taste' in fact distaste? Surely it is more tasteful to appreciate art which has not been programmed in to our view of 'good art' and is in fact driven by a personal interest and connection with a piece. 

It is interesting to consider the place of art in children's education. This spread from Marion Deuchars 'Bob the Artist' illustrates the institutionalised concept of what art is. The famous imagery employed by Deuchars communicates to children 'this is art', suggesting that a common perception of art is programmed into us. In light of this being a children's book, it would be appropriate to recognise this as a primary step in the a child's art education, rather that a complete ideology they might adhere to.