#1 (Sontag/Martin)

Susan Sontag:

ISBN: 0312280866
ISBN-13: 9780312280864
Binding: Paperback
Pub Date: August 25, 2001

The Mimetic theory, I remember first hearing about it in a philosophy class when we were going over "The Republic."

The reading mentioned Western thoughts on art are derived from the Mimetic Theory. Content is essential while form is viewed as an accessory. Subjective expression. Art as a pictured reality.

Susan Sontag says that art shouldn't justify itself. There should be very little content, the work should be interpretable. She says that criticism should be reserved for showing how something is what it is rather than showing what it means. She said we should see/feel/hear more.

Questions-
Where does catharsis come into play with Western Thoughts on art.



AGNES MARTIN: Video http://www.vimeo.com/7127385

Interview.

Agnes Martin seems to not like thinking. She doesn't like to think when she paints. Her happiest moment with painting is when she gives them out the door. She likes to lose the responsibility of them. She doesn't believe in masculine and feminine art. She thinks that heros are gone and that there are no "good" men left. That out of 100 men, not one of them would die for a cause. She thinks that her paintings convey emotion to people. She used to meditate until she trained herself to stop thinking. She says nothing goes through her mind.

Questions-
Do you think Agnes Martin thinks?
Yes, I think she thinks so much that it hurts.

Does Agnes Martins rejection of Masculine and Feminine art have anything to do with her thought on men;
While she denies gendered art she embraces gendered roles in society.
S