Reviews are the oddest things. It boggles the mind that “Black Power,” a Hilton Als review of the film Moonlight, and “Agnes Martin, a Matter-of-Fact Mystic” by New Yorker art critic Peter Schjeldahl are approximately the same length, in the same magazine. Moonlight is a sprawling two-hour movie, spanning a child’s journey through adolescence to adulthood, full of color, motion, and noise. The Agnes Martin retrospective exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum, on the other hand, is a subdued and esoteric group of paintings. Besides being examples of very different media, these two subjects serve as a stark juxtaposition of “popular” and “high” culture, as much of a contrast, funnily enough, as black and white.
With the wildly disparate levels of stimulus inherent in these subjects, it’s impressive that these authors fit them both in the same 1500-word review format in the New Yorker. I think their keys to achieving this are adjusting the given context and in doing so developing very different relationships with the audience.
Als leads off with the deeply personal, confiding in us about his “anxious, closeted childhood” and explaining the power this film holds for him as a queer black man. He grew up “in the era of Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, and AIDS,” never believing his story could be told on the silver screen until now. His repeated use of the first person enables intimacy and insight into his experience, which lends his discussion of the film extra weight. When he does include the viewer in his insights later on, he still includes himself using first-person plural: “Moonlight undoes our expectations as viewers…” He can focus more on his own reactions because he trusts his audience to be able to watch a film and get their own reading out of it. His job is to put his reading in conversation with yours. He achieves this by qualifying his readings: “Juan follows, entering through a blasted-out window, a symbol, perhaps, of the ruin left by the riots.” Something as simple as a “perhaps” invites the reader to really think about what he’s saying and agree or disagree.
For better or worse, Schjeldahl does not seem to trust his audience quite as much with the high-brow set of paintings by Martin at the Guggenheim. His use of second-person comes off as more prescriptive. After an admirable close-reading of a set of paintings that just look…… white, he follows with, “When you notice this [detail], the fields of paint seem to jiggle loose, and to hover. If you look long enough — the minute or so that Martin deemed sufficient for her works — your sensation-starved optic nerve may produce fugitive impressions of other colors.” Me? I notice this? His expectations would be easier to handle if they weren’t trying to force a religious experience (“secular pilgrimage”) on me. He attempts to teach my “heart” to be “ambushed by rushes of emotion,” but that’s not something you can force.
This lesser confidence in the viewer further manifests in the Martin review as an excess of biography. Citing a new biography of Agnes Martin by Nancy Princenthal, he outlines the artist’s entire life and career, making connections between her mental illness and the controlled, soothing geometric paintings she made. It was interesting to read as an art historian, because the field still debates the legitimacy of using biography to analyze work. This emphasis on biography was in stark contrast to the review by Als, who used more of his own biography than that of the filmmaker Barry Jenkins. The only bit of information deemed relevant to Als is that Jenkins “was raised in Liberty City,” the film’s setting, and therefore he “understands from the inside out.” Because again, the film will be able to speak for itself to its audience.
The more accessible nature of the film also enables Als to be more poetic and suggestive, skating over the rich scenes rather than plodding through an interpretation. One virtuosic description would lend itself wonderfully to spoken-word poetry.
“He’s a dope dealer, so there’s that, too. He may be a boss on the streets — his black do-rag is his crown — but he’s intelligent enough to know that he’s expendable, that real power doesn’t belong to men like him. Crack is spreading through the city like a fever.”
These kinds of poetic responses are enjoyable to read on their own, but again leave enough room for dialogue with the reader or film-viewer to think their own thoughts. Schjeldahl, in contrast, lets the reader be swept up in the narrative of Martin’s life, which is fascinating, but ultimately it doesn’t leave room for a Kantian “free play of imagination” above the facts.
Maybe I have been a little too hard on Peter Schjeldahl. In these pieces, I think of Als as a conversationalist and Schjeldahl as a coach, and I would definitely say there is room for both roles. I actually really appreciated the use of biography in the Martin review, because it does give the reader much more to grab hold of, beyond the white paintings described. Agnes Martin must have been a singular challenge to review. There is so little about her work alone for the popular New Yorker taste to invest in, so it makes sense to coach the reader through the experience of viewing in a way that feels rewarding, even spiritual, although for me it was a little heavy-handed. At the same time, there is something rewarding about being left to your own devices in Als’s piece after being given a prompt (or two including the film). While the authors have very different styles, the overlap occurs in their effective use of context: some media and artistic styles are just going to require more critical interpretation for a popular audience, despite the wise words of Susan Sontag.
The key as a reader is to be able to tell the difference between a genuine experience of pseudo-religious awe and one prescribed by the New Yorker.
5,327 Comments
Thanks for every other great article. 먹튀검증
Good Article! Look forward to reading more useful info and Post from you. 안전놀이터
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. 스포츠토토
I think this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. therefore, I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. แทงบอลออนไลน์ 911
Such a beauty ful post.. Thanks
I also found some great Discount & Coupons Codes that you can try
Great job for publishing such a beneficial web site. Your web log isn’t only useful but it is additionally really creative too.
온라인카지노
I really found this to much informatics. It is what i was searching for.I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info.Thanks
온라인카지노
This is a very nice blog that I will definitively come back to more times this year! Thanks for informative post.
카지노
Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful!
카지노
Looking for Buy Google Maps Reviews We provide all country based permanent reviews, you can buy reviews google maps buy google reviews from us. buy reviews google maps
รับทำเว็บไซต์ e-commerce สร้างเว็บไซต์ขายของ ออกแบบเว็บไซต์ขายของ รับทำเว็บไซต์ E-Commerce สร้างเว็บขายของออนไลน์ ด้วย WordPress WooCommerce วิธีสร้างเว็บไซต์ขายของ ใช้เวลาไม่นาน ดูแลง่าย ก็สามารถมีร้านค้าออนไลน์ของตัวเอง อีกทั้งเรายังแนะนำ วิธีทำเว็บไซต์ขายของ ให้ท่านไปปรับเปลี่ยนได้ด้วยตัวเอง
Unveil a wealth of knowledge and support with the comprehensive fibromyalgia book authored by Kathryn Larouche Imler. This enlightening resource serves as a guiding light for individuals navigating the complexities of fibromyalgia, offering invaluable insights, practical advice, and stories of resilience.
Kathryn Larouche Imler’s fibromyalgia book is a testament to her expertise and dedication to empowering those living with this condition. With a deep understanding of the physical and emotional challenges fibromyalgia presents, Kathryn Larouche Imler provides readers with a source of validation and a roadmap to managing their well-being.
Buy Now: Fibromyalgia Book
Thank you so much for sharing this great blog.Very inspiring and helpful too.Hope you continue to share more of your ideas.I will definitely love to read. แทงบอลออนไลน์ 911
Are you looking to buy and sell data center equipment and generate immediate cash flow. Free up valuable warehouse space. Get a free evaluation of your surplus inventory. We provide free pickup and shipping. Gain high recovery values. https://quantumtechnology.net/services/data-center-decommission
I went to this website, and I believe that you have a plenty of excellent information, I have saved your site to my bookmarks. เว็บแทงบอล
I appreciate this article for the well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so interested in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. Your blog is really impressive. เกมสล็อต 888 ออนไลน์ได้เงินจริง
This article is an appealing wealth of useful informative that is interesting and well-written. I commend your hard work on this and thank you for this information. I know it very well that if anyone visits your blog, then he/she will surely revisit it again. เกมบาคาร่า
I enjoyed reading this post such an interesting info post. Thanks for providing good info. learning hebrew
Thanks for the information. TellTims
In the fast-paced digital landscape of today, small businesses are constantly seeking effective ways to boost their online presence and connect with their target audience. As the saying goes, “If you’re not online, you don’t exist.” This is where Absolute Velocity, under the brand AVLC, steps in – a remarkable agency that specializes in providing tailored marketing solutions, with a primary focus on Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for small businesses. In this era of ever-evolving digital marketing techniques, AVLC is your partner in growth, offering a range of services designed to catapult your business to the forefront of your industry.
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing blog that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. แทงบอลออนไลน์ 911
Compartmented clearances are necessary for accessing specific types of classified information within a designated compartment. These clearances are essential for individuals who require access to specialized data that is not covered by their general clearance level.
Compartmented clearances are necessary for accessing specific types of classified information within a cybersecurity
compartment. These clearances are essential for individuals who require access to specialized data that is not covered by their general clearance level.
Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful! ufa365
I am very much pleased with the contents you have mentioned. I wanted to thank you for this great article. ufa365
I surely did not understand that. Learnt a thing new nowadays! Thanks for that. thank u for sharing, i love it
토토사이트
Thank you for taking the time to publish this information very useful! pgslot gaming
Hello, this weekend is good for me, since this time i am reading this enormous informative article here at my home. whirlpool washing machine 9.5 kg
ونحن هنا سوف نقدم tv96 الذي يقدم بث مباشر للمباريات بشكل حصري عبر tv96 online. كما ان tv 96 يعد موقع رياضي ضخم لبث المباريات فهوا مثل موقع koora arabic
https://ww.tv-96.com/
In an increasingly uncertain world, safeguarding property and individuals has become a paramount concern. One of the most effective ways to enhance security and maintain safety is through the installation of security
fencing. Security fencing provides a physical barrier that acts as a deterrent and a preventive measure against unauthorized access and potential threats. In this article, we will delve into the significance of security fencing, its various types, installation processes, and the benefits it offers to different sectors.
to find out that the game site is a game site without a credit deposit because it is an online game site with the highest winning rajaslot percentage.
كول كورة – cool kora تابع من خلاله جدول مباريات اليوم والغد، وشاهد مباريات اليوم عبر البث المباشر كما يُمكنك متابعة قنوات بي إن سبورت على أكثر من سيرفر
كول كورة
Choosing slot games on the best sites will help Maxslot77 Players go through the stages of online Judi more easily and of course more slot server kamboja profitably.
كورة تيفي | koora tv | بث مباشر مباريات اليوم بدون تقطيع kora tv مباريات اليوم عبر رابط koora live tv لبث المباريات حصريًا علي كورة tv.
كورة تي في
يلا لايف yalla live tv مشاهدة مباريات اليوم بث مباشر بدون تقطيع yalla tv live موقع يلا لايف مباريات اليوم yallalive يلا لايف كورة مباشر yala live tv
يلا تيفي بث مباشر
موقع ايجي ناو يتيح لك بث المباريات – egynow، وايضاً إمكانية متابعة كل برامج التحليل الرياضية والفنية من خلال البث المباشر للعديد القنوات موقع ايجي ناو
كورة جول kooora goal بث مباشر مباريات اليوم بدون تقطيع kooragoal جدول أهم المباريات kora goal لايف بث مباشر موقع كوره جول اون لاين kooora goal. موقع كورة جول
كورة اون لاين kora online مشاهدة مباريات اليوم بث مباشر بدون تقطيع عبر موقع كورة اون لاين koraonline أهم مباريات اليوم اون لاين يلا كورة اون لاين yallakora
موقع كورة اونلاين
العمدة سبورت
العمدة سبورت شاهد الان مجاناً بدون اعلانات مزعجة جدول مباريات اليوم علي موقع elomda sport بث مباشر حصري لجميع مباريات ودوريات أوروبا بدون تقطيع علي موقع elomda
موقع يلا 7 لايف
يلا لايف yalla live tv مشاهدة مباريات اليوم بث مباشر yalla tv live موقع يلا لايف مباريات اليوم yallalive يلا لايف كورة مباشر yala live tv.
يلا لايف بث مباشر
يلا لايف – Yalla live هو موقعك المفضل لمشاهدة أخبار مباريات اليوم على موقع Yalla live الذي يتيح لك متابعة كافة أخبار كورة بشكل حصري، فشبكة yalla live tv بها …
The Gacor Maxwin slot practice game currently has several different slot amerika serikat BO or Gacor Maxwin bets, namely Sweet Bonanza, Aztec BO or Bandar, Joker Jewels, Gates of Olympus, Wild West Gold.
บาคาร่า มือถือ
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. I have you bookmarked your site to check out the new stuff you post. 銀座クラブ
That is really nice to hear. thank you for the update and good luck. เว็บแทงบอลจ่ายจริง มีการทำงานอย่างไร ?
Nice post here, thanks for share, wish you all the best.
Best Regard.
Jasa Marka Jalan
Personalized service is a hallmark of hiring an immigration solicitor London Immigration Solicitors. At Winvolved Consultancy, you’ll receive tailored guidance and support throughout the application process. This partnership ensures your questions are answered and your strategy aligns with your goals.
Very informative post! There is a lot of information here that can help any business get started with a successful social networking campaign. slot gacor maxwin
Explore the ultimate guide to Restaurant Website Design and the creation of professional websites for restaurants. Elevate your online branding and customer engagement with an expert touch.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. Thanks… pgslot cz