Quote of the Day

[timelets]

“...a great work is distinguished from a folkloric artefact in not being tethered to a particular ‘people’. It raises itself to the ‘universal’; it addresses itself potentially to the whole of humanity.”
...
“The work of art possesses the distinction of speaking to everyone, whatever the time or place in which we live.”

“The work of art worthy its name is neither a local artefact nor is it a universal denuded of touch and taste, as is the product of pure scientific research. And it is to this singularity, this individuality that is neither entirely particular nor entirely universal, that we respond so powerfully.”

--- Luc Ferry. “A Brief History of Thought.”

This sounds plausible on the first read, but is it true? Is this a causal link or just a constitutive relationship? The latter seems to be more probable to me.

Comments

[olindom]

Some of it. But, there are pieces that were highly time-related, and now are regarded according to their reputation.

[timelets]

Sure. We can build an entire hierarchy of artworks, depending on their relevance to a specific period in human history. He's trying to make a point that certain art has universal appeal.