Artists and Audiences
(From: A Theory for Art, Stanza xiv)
Artists need audiences. Though their works
Originate in personal concerns
And private intuitions, (though composed
In necessary solitude for thoughts’
And concentration’s sakes), they have to tell
All who will heed them what is in their minds;
But though they dread the pains of public show,
Yet they feel unfulfilled until they have
Communicated to true connoisseurs –
‘Fit audience, though few’ asMiltonwrote –
And anyone whose interest is roused,
Such sublimations of experience
As personal abilities and skilled
Techniques have given them the scope to do.
Art is a vocation chosen by those
Who feel they have the talents to express
The principles and values that inform
Their culture. Most are autodidacts, for
No formal preconditions are required
To be an artist, only self-belief
In personal abilities and hope
That their creations will be recognised
As worthy offerings to public taste.
Since this is so, artists should not presume
That they are mentally superior
To those who will experience their works;
For audiences always will contain
Some who are better qualified than them –
Though not themselves creatively endowed –
To judge the merits of such artefacts
As are presented to their critical
Regard, because they’re not so prejudiced
Subjectively to what they have not made
Themselves. The right artistic attitude
To audiences, therefore, is not pride
Or arrogance, but humbleness of heart
And willingness to learn from what is said.
So audiences are not captive crowds
Compelled to validate an artist’s works;
They are more self-selecting juries, (who
Have often paid a fee as earnest of
Their willingness to view the evidence,
And give an honest verdict), that cannot
Be for long deceived by spurious claims
Of qualitative excellence when such
Are imperceptible. (An artefact
Speaks for itself, not for its publicist!).
Communication is no one-way-street
In art. To hear and to decide response,
Are mutual responsibilities
For both examined and examiner.
So audiences should be listened-to,
By artists, as devotedly as they
Trust they themselves will be through what they show.
If artists fail to understand the rôle
Of audiences in their works’ concerns,
They cannot hope to win their hearts’ desire.
Fame is their spur. Real artists cannot hide
Their works unheard, unseen; for they well know
They may be making Masterpieces which
Will place them in the Pantheon of Fame
Amongst the greatest people who have lived
In any age of human history.
(The world cannot afford to lose such art,
Or rest in ignorance of those who would
Further enrich its splendid heritage!).
With fame may come fair fortune; with renown,
Honours – or some small stipend to defray
Accounts! – as recompense for laboured years;
But these are not the magnets which attract
Vocations in the arts. Necessity
The force, perfection the objective, hope
The sail driving the spirit’s enterprise
Across uncharted oceans of surmise,
With inspiration as its guiding-light
Amid dread reefs of blind uncertainties
Which threaten to capsize endeavour’s boat
Before its destination is attained;
The laurelledharbourofSignificance.
Though Captain-Navigator on the route
That leads to ultimate achievement’s gain,
The artist cannot reach that port without
A crew upon whose perspicacious skills
Success or failure both depend. That crew
Includes the audiences who respond
To what their pilot says and does. Should they
Lack trusting confidence, the enterprise
May founder and its priceless cargo sink –
Without hope of recovery – beneath
Waves of oblivious indifference.
