Let’s not take art too seriously

In 1861 John Stuart Mill wrote in his book, Utilitarianism, that our ultimate aim should always be to maximize pleasure. He makes the distinction between the carnal pleasures of the masses, and higher pleasures – the pleasure one experiences upon contemplation of fine artwork, literature, classical music, and intellectual conversation. Since as far back as the nineteenth century, engaging with art has been a reserve of the elite. Whilst the proletariat masses are characterised by a preoccupation with football and other such lowly pursuits, the consumption of art has always been intrinsically linked with the superior few; the few who can distinguish a Turner from a Constable, who have read War and Peace, and can quote Shakespeare. Appreciation of art has taken on a snobbish, intellectual character, a character which, nowadays, drives away many young people before they have even had the chance to engage with it.

Growing up in a small town in the North of England, expressing any sort of interest in art other than the ‘Top 20’put you in the category of abnormal. I distinctly remember dropping into a conversation with my friends that I enjoyed listening to classical music every now and again, and my comment was greeted with a snigger, “Oh, get you, trying to be all posh”. It could be that this is just teens being teens, that those who don’t fit the mould will always be ostracised. But whilst a keen interest in, say, knitting was ridiculed because it just wasn’t the cool thing, an interest in certain art forms was completely associated with trying to be something else, something better. You were belittled because you were seen as trying to be higher class, and of course, why would you want to be one of those “snobby gits”?

Now I’m at university, a place where artistic discussion is fostered rather than scoffed at. And yet I still get the overwhelming impression that the only opinions taken seriously are of those who know enough, who have read enough, or who have studied for long enough. The majority of us undergraduates are still afraid to publicly voice our opinions for fear that we’re unqualified to. The underlying assumption is that art is serious, and you have to be serious to take part in it. Isn’t this why we’re so quiet in art galleries? Why we listen to operas seated and silent? We should speak of great art with reverence; the idea of having fun is not compatible with proper appreciation.

But shouldn’t we stop taking art so seriously? It’s our job as those with access and resources to expunge all traces of snobbery from the act of engaging with great art. People who truly have an interest in art, and want to share it, should take note of blogs like The Toast, who post series of works of art with hilarious captions (take a look at ‘Women Resisting Heterosexuality In Western Art History’). There’s no information about the author, or the cultural movement, but these sites are just one way we can bring art to those who would normally never see it, and are giving them access to art in a way that isn’t intimidating or exclusionary. And isn’t that the aim of all art-lovers? To share what they love and help others find joy in it too? I say we should all stop the pomposity and learn to laugh at art.