So, family is visiting. My niece is adorable, and we had a lovely romp in the backyard. However, I don’t have time to write. I originally wrote this for https://thestoryclub.locals.com/
Concerning art, I am of a mind that there are two types of criticism: The criticism of technique and the criticism of purpose. They are related in that in the first we are asking how well the art accomplishes what the second type of criticism questions. The first type of criticism says enthusiastically, “Ah yes, I see what you are trying to do. You may do it better by employing such and such a technique.” The second type is different; it says sadly, “Ah yes, I see you’ve accomplished your task successfully, but I wish to God you hadn’t.”
The first type need not be controversial, nor, I think, should be, but the second is. In my opinion, I found the movie Thor: Ragnarok to be technically good: the jokes landed, and the action scenes held my attention. On the first type of criticism, I had few complaints. However, I hated the messaging. I don’t want to here open the can of worms regarding politics or religion as this is not the place to do so, albeit, I make no bones that I am a conservative Christian, but merely on a consideration of the myths regarding Ragnarök, I find I hate the MCU’s retelling.
I, and I assume others who have joined this community, want to tell our stories. Hopefully, we will have access to each other’s criticism, a highly valuable commodity. However, I am interested in the point, the goal, we are trying to accomplish. I propose that if we are honest artists, then our stories should accomplish two things which are really one: Truth and Beauty. Or maybe I’m just full of myself. What do you all think?
Tale Told 