We’ve all heard our friends and family write off artistic criticism. Often times it is under the guise of, “Well, all art’s subjective.” However, understanding that principle seems sound, but it also downplays the important aspects of criticism. In this post, we will look at the definition of subjectivity and objectivity in art. Then, we will disseminate our own understanding of the two terms.
What is Subjectivity in Art?
In so many ways, subjective art is an interpretation of the artist and his vision. This way of looking at it makes sense when one argues that art is interpretive. But it’s definitely more artist-focused rather than the argument we typically see. That is to say, everybody sees art differently so it should be free from criticism. This stands in contrast to the largely held belief that artists can create in any way because they are the artist. As defined by some sources, subjectivity is “the influence of personal beliefs or feelings, rather than facts.” So, while there does some to be an “individualistic” approach to subjectivity, it is also up to the individual’s interpretation of the artistic work.
What is Objectivity in Art?
Interestingly enough, if we look at how objectivity is defined, we can see something interesting. It is “a lack of favoritism toward one side or another; freedom from bias.” In this way, objective art is beyond the creator. It can be seen, felt, heard, or dreamt by anyone who comes into contact with it in any medium. This definition has a more audience-focused interpretation. As such, it gives us a sense that a group of people interpreting an art piece grants it a certain amount of objectivity. With that said, the audience and the individual must remove themselves from their own feelings. They must attain a different understanding.
Why Both of these Approaches Matter
Essentially, this matters because it makes sense to look at an art piece with both an objective and subjective eye. In one instance—a subjective one—you can interpret a piece of art with your own history and understanding of the world. You already do this when you read a book and imagine the setting and the characters. In another instance, it’s important to remove those feelings to interpret a text for what it means to the author or the time period, or for what the book means structurally.
Conclusion
Neither objectivity nor subjectivity in art is right or wrong, good or bad. Yet, it still does seem to be silly when somebody says, “Art is subjective!” Art is not beyond critical reproach. This is because, as a society, we need to critically examine what an artist produces. This creates a greater understanding of ourselves in our culture and our histories in time.
