Why I Like It
Walking through a museum or gallery, you might find yourself drawn to a particular work of art. You’ll stare intently at it, study it from different angles, possibly even wonder which room or wall in your flat would be the best place to put it. Then without missing a beat, you’ll immediately walk right past the one hung next to it. The one with striking similarities, and possibly even made by the same artist.
We all know what we like. But do you really know why?
That’s the focus and challenge of this new series. Because while you might inherently “know” why you like something, it’s often a challenge to articulate it. At least initially. Attraction, whether visual or aural, is often innate, driven by subconscious. It ususally takes a while for the emotions to settle before the brain can match them to the right words.
When it comes to liking art, there’s no wrong answer as to ‘why’. How you feel is how you feel, but failing to explain the ‘why’ is arguably an #EpicFail. Especially for a critic. They can’t just get away with “I know what I like”. So I’m challenging myself to explain why I like the art that I like.
On the first day of each month, I’ll publish photos and an explanation about one piece of art, attempting to articulate why I like it.
The rules I’ve set myself are simple:
I have to like it. And I mean really, really like* it.
I have to have seen it in person.
Rule No. 2 means you’re probably going to end up reading a lot more about my private collection than I’d ever intended to reveal, but rules is rules. And let’s be honest: if you really want to know what a critic thinks of something, it helps to know what they’re willing to spend their own money on.
Welcome to “Why I Like It”.
Even if you don’t enjoy these works as much as I do, at least now you might know why.
* I debated “love”, but just like “hate”, sometimes words can be too strong.