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.
6,951 Comments
I really like your article. It’s evident that you have a lot knowledge on this topic. Your points are well made and relatable. Thanks for writing engaging and interesting material. 토토놀자
This blog is very informational and helpful to the viewers. Thank you for sharing!
taya365
This is an educational blog. Thank you for posting this article. philboss
Awesome! I thank you your contribution to this matter. It has been insightful. my blog: how to seduce a girl situs judi QQ Pkv Games
This is really top-notch work! It is inspiring to hear such insightful viewpoints expressed with such grace. It was really informative and nicely written. I highly suggest looking to SEO Services in California for additional fantastic resources and expert assistance.
I have viewed that smart real estate agents all over the place are getting set to FSBO Marketing. They are noticing that it’s in addition to placing a sign in the front place. It’s really in relation to building associations with these dealers who sooner or later will become consumers. So, once you give your time and effort to helping these traders go it alone — the “Law regarding Reciprocity” kicks in. Thanks for your blog post. daftar situs pkv cmcpoker
I undoubtedly did not know that. Learnt some thing new today! Thanks for that. FORTUNE TIGER
저희는 여러분에게 최고의 경험을 선사하는 카지노사이트를 선별하기 위해 고민합니다. 섹시카지노
This is really fascinating, You are a very professional blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and sit up for searching for more of your great post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks! 믿을 수 있는 토토사이트
online betting website Direct website, must not go through an agent https://pgnako.one/
You can apply now.
Thankyou for this wondrous post, I am glad I observed this website on yahoo. Posteezy
Your writing creates connection to your readers. Thank you for sharing this post. philboss
Great article! Thank you for tyour significant insights.
philboss
เกม สล็อต ค่าย PG ใหม่ ล่าสุด เล่น pgslot เว็บตรง แตกหนัก เกี่ยวกับเรา เว็บสล็อตแท้ บริการเครดิตที่น่าเชื่อถือที่สุดมีใบรับรองการันตีจากต่างประเทศ ทดลอง เล่น สล็อต PG ไม่ เด้ง
เกม สล็อต ค่าย PG ใหม่ ล่าสุด pgslot เว็บสล็อตแตกหนักยอดนิยมที่แพร่หลายอย่างมากในเกมคาสิโน เว็บสล็อตใหม่ล่าสุด ทางเข้าพีจี เว็บที่น่าเชื่อถือที่สุดมีใบรับรองการันตี ทดลอง เล่น สล็อต PG ไม่ เด้ง
This is really top-notch work! It is inspiring to hear such insightful viewpoints expressed with such grace. It was really informative and nicely written. I highly suggest looking to SEO Services in California for additional fantastic resources and expert assistance.
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later. Many thanks daftar mataqq pkv games
The American Sportfishing Association (ASFA) is the premier organization dedicated to advancing the sportfishing community’s interests. ASFA champions conservation efforts, promotes sustainable fishing practices, and advocates for policies that benefit both anglers and the environment.
https://www.americansportandfitness.com/
Wow, cool post. I’d like to write like this too – taking time and real hard work to make a great article… but I put things off too much and never seem to get started. Thanks though. slot kocak thailand
Valuable information. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I am shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
Visit my site :
https://nigeriaschoolnews.com/
You should continue your writing. https://may88.news
عِش الحياة. خطة تأمين على الحياة على المدى الخالص مع فوائد اختيارية. الأمن المالي لعائلتك، راحة البال بالنسبة لك شركات التأمين الخاص بالسيارات والتأمينات الطبيه والاجتماعية
https://forsafirst.com/%D8%AE%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%AE%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88/
I really enjoyed this article; it is well written! Thank you for sharing .
philboss
I really like your article. It’s evident that you have a lot knowledge on this topic. Your points are well made and relatable. Thanks for writing engaging and interesting material. acim podcast
عِش الحياة. خطة تأمين على الحياة على المدى الخالص مع فوائد اختيارية. الأمن المالي لعائلتك، راحة البال بالنسبة لك شركات التأمين الخاص بالسيارات والتأمينات الطبيه والاجتماعية
I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your blog posts.
It’s clear that you’re passionate about it.
Car parking shades in Saudi Arabia
Good post. Thank you for the knowledge you shared on this blog . philboss
عِش الحياة. خطة تأمين على الحياة على المدى الخالص مع فوائد اختيارية. الأمن المالي لعائلتك، راحة البال بالنسبة لك شركات التأمين الخاص بالسيارات والتأمينات الطبيه والاجتماعية
https://forsafirst.com/%D8%AE%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%D9%8A%D8%A9/%D8%A3%D9%81%D8%B6%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%B9-%D8%AA%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%AE%D8%AF%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88/
Thanks very nice blog! hb88
Thanks very nice blog! 8day
Thanks very nice blog! 888b
Please share more like that. superman68
I did not anticipate this. This is a great story. يلا شوت
I really loved reading your blog. It was very well authored and easy to undertand. Unlike additional blogs I have read which are really not tht good. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well! acim eckhart tolle
I really appreciate the time and effort you put into your blog posts.
It’s clear that you’re passionate about it.
Car parking shades in Saudi Arabia
I you want everything is here ready. Many promotions are available when accepting new members.
pgjokervip
very interesting keep posting. how to create edu email
Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting? I’m pleased I discovered it though, ill be checking back soon to find out what additional posts you include. dekor rumah
thanks this is good blog. acim
Glad to be one of the visitors on this awe inspiring web site : D. slot anti rungkad
Unlock your potential with our specialized prop firm challenge passing services. Our expert strategies and guidance are designed to help you pass prop firm challenges effortlessly. Get funded faster with our proven methods. prop firm passing service
I got too much interesting stuff on your blog. I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the good work. Herding filter
I discovered your site website on bing and appearance many of your early posts. Preserve within the really good operate. Co168
Useful information. Fortunate me I found your web site by chance, and I’m surprised why this twist of fate didn’t happened in advance! I bookmarked it. BETFLIK888
I visited several web pages except the audio feature for audio songs present at this web page is really excellent.I visited several web pages except the audio feature for audio songs present at this web page is really excellent. BETFLIK789
Excellent post. I will be experiencing some of these issues as well. BETFLIK168
This blog was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. BETFLIK666
Great delivery. Sound arguments. Keep up the good effort. BETFLIX285
Hi there, after reading this awesome article i am also glad to share my familiarity here with friends. BETFLIX88
Hi there, after reading this awesome article i am also glad to share my familiarity here with friends. BETFLIK JOKER