Response to Fay's question on Tolstoy 10/6/09

Fay posed the question; is it necessary for one to understand the message of an artwork?

Yes, I believe it is necessary to understand the message of an artwork. An artwork would simply just be something to look at if you don't understand the message. There would be no substance to the artwork to the observer, no emotion evoked. The lack of communication would lead to puzzlement and make an art work have no relevance to the observer. It would be like watching a funny movie without understanding any of the jokes. If you don't understand the jokes, obviously you're not going to think it was a funny movie as the producer had intended it to be. So, shouldn't it be the same for art. The message behind an art work is the key to the artist's intentions. Therefore, in order it is necessary for one to understand the message of an art work.