Comments on: If I had a hammer… http://www.creativedc.org/2008/01/if-i-had-hammer/ Showcasing and inspiring creative living in Washington, DC Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:47:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Sean http://www.creativedc.org/2008/01/if-i-had-hammer/comment-page-1/#comment-353 Sean Sun, 27 Apr 2008 22:28:00 +0000 http://dev.creativedc.org/?p=243#comment-353 First, it was Bertolt Brecht who said this quote originally.<br/><br/>But in all honesty I'd have to agree with those who have already stated that art is not merely one thing or another. Art is many things to many people. It's impossible to even say what one piece of artwork is because the artist could have had a singular intention for it but each individual viewer/reader/audience member might come away with their own interpretation.<br/><br/>For example consider the testimonials from all the young boys who grew up reading works like "From the Earth to the Moon" by Jules Verne then were inspired to begin what eventually became the NASA program. Hammer<br/><br/>Or consider movies showcasing inner city violence. How many young people across the country say they prefer these violent gang centered films because such movies are the only genre that they can relate to. Mirror First, it was Bertolt Brecht who said this quote originally.

But in all honesty I’d have to agree with those who have already stated that art is not merely one thing or another. Art is many things to many people. It’s impossible to even say what one piece of artwork is because the artist could have had a singular intention for it but each individual viewer/reader/audience member might come away with their own interpretation.

For example consider the testimonials from all the young boys who grew up reading works like “From the Earth to the Moon” by Jules Verne then were inspired to begin what eventually became the NASA program. Hammer

Or consider movies showcasing inner city violence. How many young people across the country say they prefer these violent gang centered films because such movies are the only genre that they can relate to. Mirror

]]> By: Freduardo http://www.creativedc.org/2008/01/if-i-had-hammer/comment-page-1/#comment-273 Freduardo Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:32:00 +0000 http://dev.creativedc.org/?p=243#comment-273 Ok, so I'm a few weeks late on this, but something about the quote stuck with me and I kept going over it again and again in my head. I think it was just the idea that doesn't just change HOW we view reality, but it changes reality itself. <br/><br/>So, while the quote is a little silly and bombastic, I thought there was a salvageable perspective therein. Ok, so I’m a few weeks late on this, but something about the quote stuck with me and I kept going over it again and again in my head. I think it was just the idea that doesn’t just change HOW we view reality, but it changes reality itself.

So, while the quote is a little silly and bombastic, I thought there was a salvageable perspective therein.

]]> By: John http://www.creativedc.org/2008/01/if-i-had-hammer/comment-page-1/#comment-269 John Mon, 14 Jan 2008 11:32:00 +0000 http://dev.creativedc.org/?p=243#comment-269 C. Both of the above. There's no reason to say art does or should just reflect life or just push change. (And, for that matter, holding up a mirror to the world can, itself, be a tremendous tool for hammering out change.) C. Both of the above. There’s no reason to say art does or should just reflect life or just push change. (And, for that matter, holding up a mirror to the world can, itself, be a tremendous tool for hammering out change.)

]]> By: Amanda http://www.creativedc.org/2008/01/if-i-had-hammer/comment-page-1/#comment-268 Amanda Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:56:00 +0000 http://dev.creativedc.org/?p=243#comment-268 John: agree on the convenience store scene! Amazing. Also love it in contrast to the other coin-flipping scene. John: agree on the convenience store scene! Amazing. Also love it in contrast to the other coin-flipping scene.

]]> By: John A http://www.creativedc.org/2008/01/if-i-had-hammer/comment-page-1/#comment-267 John A Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:11:00 +0000 http://dev.creativedc.org/?p=243#comment-267 Looking at who the quote is attributed to it, the perspective makes sense. In a revolution, art does have more of a "shaping" role.<br/><br/>In quieter times (which despite whatever's going on, I'll argue that we're in), art is more powerful is terms of what it says about where we are, or have been.<br/><br/>Art is, by definition, contextual. Art that was extremely important 25 years ago can be trite and meaningless now. (Try watching Best Screenplay winner "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" now. Powerful in 1967, bland now.)<br/><br/>And I'll agree whole heartedly with Picasso. :)<br/><br/>Glad you liked "No Country". The convenience store coin flipping scene is one of the best scripted, best acted scenes I can recall in anything for ages. I took a different take on the message of the flick... saw it more as a rumination on the nature of man coping with evil in the world. Cheery flick. Looking at who the quote is attributed to it, the perspective makes sense. In a revolution, art does have more of a “shaping” role.

In quieter times (which despite whatever’s going on, I’ll argue that we’re in), art is more powerful is terms of what it says about where we are, or have been.

Art is, by definition, contextual. Art that was extremely important 25 years ago can be trite and meaningless now. (Try watching Best Screenplay winner “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” now. Powerful in 1967, bland now.)

And I’ll agree whole heartedly with Picasso. :)

Glad you liked “No Country”. The convenience store coin flipping scene is one of the best scripted, best acted scenes I can recall in anything for ages. I took a different take on the message of the flick… saw it more as a rumination on the nature of man coping with evil in the world. Cheery flick.

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