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Here’s what art is actually about — and where it comes from
Knowing your influences and the power of influence can make you a more powerful artist. Here’s a series of theses on art to get a conversation going about the nature of art.
This was originally a series of Tweets that I’ve decided to share on Medium as well.
- All art is reaction.
2. All art reacts as imitation, subversion, or a synthesis or confrontation of these two.
3. This is to say, all art is about copying particular points and pieces of their source of inspiration. Think of your favorite homage pieces. #TheOrville does not parody #StarTrek, but rather reframes it as a comedy. #GalaxyQuest parodies the premises of the franchise.
4. It may also be about refuting particular points in their source of inspiration, either as a point of creed, ideology, or some other set of ideals.
5. It is also possible imitation and subversion can be married — as the particulars are twisted according the particular time and place of the piece.
6. To understand the synthesis of imitation and subversion, think of the modernization of the cozy mystery in #KnivesOut. This masterpiece by @rianjohnson subverts by turning the plot of a “mansion murder” caper inside out.
