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From: flee@cse.psu.edu (Felix Lee)
Newsgroups: alt.sci.physics.plutonium,alt.ascii-art,sci.math
Subject: Re: Art, math, realism, ascii (Re: PARASITES INSIDE OF VIRUSES?)
Date: 02 Aug 1994 03:38:43 GMT
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Ludwig Plutonium:
>  Paintings, masterpieces, movies are visual art. We can define art as
>resolution. We can define beauty in art as "intentions conveyed
>visually".

I think you're confused on several levels about the meaning and
purpose of art.

Today's silly example: "I wish to convey the essence of the dilemma
that a Christian faces in attempting to reconcile a respect for the
scientific worldview against a sincere religious conviction.  I've
narrowed it down to two possibilities:
	<
and
	>
Which is more optimal?"

Besides that, I don't believe the purpose of art is to convey precise
intentions.  Jackson Pollack certainly wasn't being very precise when
he splattered paint on a canvas by tossing it through a turbine.  And
if you start trying to figure out the precise pattern of paint
splatters that optimally represents Pollack's intention, then you've
missed the point entirely.
--