Brad wrote:
"It's worth bearing in mind that pretty much everything we
now think of as 'high art' - the plays of Shakespeare, the
music of Mozart, the novels of Melville - is simply the
popular culture of the distant past
(or rather that part of the popular culture which has
withstood 'the test of time')."
That's true to a degree, for some periods, but far from all,
particularly in the fine arts. Much of what is now considered
fine art pissed off people at its introduction -- the
impressionism that now breaks attendance records in museums,
for instance, was rejected as scandalous at the time of its
first showing, by both the high and the low classes. In fact,
a pretty good argument could be made that most acclaimed 20th
Century art alienated the public, from Dada to Damien Hirst.
As the art industry grew, and as it became more and more a
signifier of class, it became more important to limit the
aura, and therefore the rarity and expense, of "real art," as
opposed to the mechanically reproduced mass culture. Even if
Pop Art used images of mass art, they were careful to present
them and sell them as high art.
True, some popular culture later becomes high culture, but it
requires time (can no longer hae common currency) and the
backing of authorities to make the leap.
Not sure how this fits into print. Maybe through the pursuit
of first editions and/or the cultivation and display of
liking the cutting edge, material that pushes the envelope?
I'm know I'm guilty of the latter, at least.
Mark
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