This active involvement provides a basis for depth of aesthetic processing and reflection on the meaning of the work.
There are interesting trade-offs
in the relative importance of subject matter (i.e., figure)
and style (i.e., background). ( ① )
In highly representational paintings, plays, or stories, the focus is on subject matter that resembles everyday life and the role of background style is to facilitate the construction of mental models. ( ② )
Feelings of pleasure and uncertainty carry the viewer along to the conclusion of the piece. ( ③ )
In highly expressionist works, novel stylistic devices work in an inharmonious manner against the subject matter thereby creating a disquieting atmosphere. ( ④ )
Thus, when the work is less “readable” (or
easily interpreted),
its departure from conventional forms reminds the viewer or reader that an “aesthetic attitude”
is needed to appreciate the whole episode. ( ⑤ )
An ability to switch between the “pragmatic attitude”
of everyday life and an “aesthetic attitude”
is fundamental to a balanced life. * aesthetic: 미학의 ** pragmatic: 실용주의의
