Is There Good Art?

This article, written by Paul Graham, explores the idea of whether there exists "good art," and dismantles the notion that taste is purely subjective. He argues that art is not just a matter of individual preference, but rather, it has a purpose – to engage its audience.

• He highlights that good art is simply art that achieves its purpose particularly well.
• This purpose varies depending on the art, but all art must work on an audience, and humans share common traits that influence their perception and appreciation of art.

The Importance of the Audience

Graham suggests that our shared human experiences and biology create a common ground for art appreciation. He argues that universal elements like the appeal of human faces and the recognition of 3D objects contribute to this shared understanding.

• He further emphasizes that "good art" doesn't require selecting a few individuals with "correct" opinions. Instead, it focuses on how art consistently affects humans, akin to how a toxic substance affects individuals.

Challenging Subjective Views of Beauty

He counters the traditional philosophical view that beauty is subjective, arguing that when you define beauty as something that works on humans in a specific way, it becomes an objective quality. This is because humans share enough commonalities that their reactions to art are not entirely random.

• Graham proposes that "good art" exists on a spectrum, with certain elements appealing to smaller groups (like friends or specific cultures), while others resonate with a broader human audience.
• He suggests that when we talk about art being good, we implicitly refer to its universal appeal, meaning it would engage any human.

The Role of Artists and Tricks

While Graham argues for objective standards in art, he also acknowledges that artists, unlike natural objects, often deliberately try to manipulate our perceptions.

• He discusses "tricks" used by artists, like creating the illusion of speed in their work to impress viewers, or leveraging brand recognition to influence perception.
• He suggests that "tricks" are essentially actions done with contempt for the audience, aimed at manipulating them rather than genuinely engaging them.

Overcoming Subjective Biases

To truly judge art objectively, Graham encourages readers to overcome the influence of their own biases and the tricks employed by artists.

• He suggests strategies like repeatedly viewing a famous painting to overcome its fame, or examining it closely to see details often missed in reproductions.
• He advises learning to identify and catalog the tricks used by artists, which helps us to become less susceptible to them.
• Traveling widely in both time and space exposes us to different cultures and artistic traditions, potentially expanding our tastes and helping us appreciate the universal appeal of art.

The Importance of Recognizing Good Art

Graham's primary goal isn't to tell us how to develop good taste but to assert that good art, and good taste, actually exist.

• He emphasizes that good art engages its human audience, and this engagement is not random due to our shared human experiences.
• The ability to recognize good art is a form of good taste.

The Impact on Artists

He believes that acknowledging the existence of good art is particularly empowering for artists, freeing them to strive for excellence.

• Graham encourages aspiring artists to ignore the "taste is subjective" mindset and instead focus on creating art that genuinely engages its audience.
• He points out that the artists of the past, like those in fifteenth-century Florence, produced great works because they believed in the possibility of creating great things.