One beautiful aspect of art is that it is ambiguous. It can be interpreted in many ways and awaken diverse reactions. It isn't black and white, but rather every shade in the color spectrum in an unfathomable number of combinations. Yet we often attach labels that judge quality, inferring that there is some set standard or way of evaluating and sorting art into a hierarchical list.
What makes art good or bad? Is it how well it is technically executed according to the standards of the particular location and time it exists in? Is it how deeply it resonates with the soul of the audience? Is it how complex it is? Does value depend on how much discernible, logical structure exists? Or is it simply how beautiful it is? ( Subjective anyone?) Is it good to the degree that it accurately depicts something? Does the level of its value lie in the extent of originality displayed or rather timeless reflection on the past?
I came across the quote below that artfully sweeps away many questions for the Christian and provides great clarity on this topic. It is so simplistically obvious, yet artfully worded and truth- filled. It carries with it a reminder: The good and best art is not necessarily what society may laud as the best.
"What is the best of all possible things? That which is infinite, always present and undecaying. That which is both many and one. That which is pure, ultimate and humble. That which is spirit and yet personal. That which is just and yet merciful. Yahweh, God. Father, Son and Holy Ghost. What is the best of all possible Art? That which reveals, captures, and communicates as many facets of that Being as is possible in a finite frame."
Extracted from Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl by N.D. Wilson
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