“Art frees you from the infuriating unfinishedness of the real world.”
-Mark Bowden, in his great profile of David Simon, creator of The Wire (the article, in the Atlantic Monthly, also explores the differences between art and journalism – it’s a good read, even if you don’t watch the show)
Point of contention: art is part of the real world.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
http://www.esquire.com/features/essay/david-simon-0308
I’ll contend your point of contention. In some circumstances, art creates its own world, separate from the real world. Sometimes it does so to comment on the real world, other times it’s just escapist. I’m a big fan of the Dune novels, which have their own distinct universe. Now, the Universe itself exists as a fictional creation within the real world, but its intent (and I think it succeeds) is to create a world distinct from where we live day to day. Maybe the distinction is just semantic, but for me, I enjoy the ability of good art to lift you outside of the “real world.”
Re: the quote, sometimes the best art can leave a feeling of being raw or unfinished. I love David Lynch’s work for just that reason. Closure can be just as stultifying as chaos. Or if you prefer things the other way around, just as invigorating.
I definitely see what you’re saying, John, but I stand by my point of contention! Art is part of the human experience and both creating it and consuming/experiencing it are activities that exist in the real world. The characters and stories in Dune may be the product of imagination but so is everything manmade, in some way. Things that lift and inspire and entertain us are just as real as hardship and routine.
guess who didn’t say this? David Chase, that’s who.