The critic Clement Greenberg insisted that the problem of aesthetic judgment is first and foremost one of intuition. Our judgments, though shaped by knowledge and experience, are basically involuntary at the moment one confronts a work of art. I was reminded of Greenberg recently on viewing the sculptures of Brent Crothers at Galerie Francoise et Ses Freres. Crothers' pieces, constructed mainly from wood and metal wire, have a sort of primitive energy independent of their nominal subject, which involves the mutual dependence between nature and humanity. Besides being silly and forced, such efforts don't really do justice to the art, which conveys its meanings tentatively and suggestively.
Symbols can have many meanings, whereas allegories mean only one thing.
An In-Depth Look at the Art of Henri Matisse. The event offers an intimate look at the life and work of one of the most celebrated artists in the museum's Cone Collection. Participants in the symposium will include Matisse biographer Hilary Spurling, art historian Jack Flam and BMA curators Jay Fisher and Katy Rothkopf. Advanced registration is required. Read the SunSpot.net User Agreement for our policies on copyright, reader privacy and bulletin boards.