In order for any work of art — for example, a film, a novel, a poem, or a song — to have merit, it must be understandable to most people.
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.
The statement makes a valid point; a work of art may lack merit if it lacks widespread appeal. Yet, there are many caveats. That art must be understandable to most people does not mean it is understandable to everyone. Not everyone is artistic, and not everyone appreciates art. Therefore, an artist must strive to create work that appeals to a broad audience. In certain instances, the ability to appeal to a broad audience may be a prerequisite for creating and appreciating art. Still, an artist may appeal to an audience that appreciates only their work in other cases. To draw on an analogy, it is challenging to appreciate Michael Jordan’s basketball skills without playing the sport. However, not everyone has the skills or inclination to play a basketball game, and those who do not appreciate basketball can still appreciate Michael Jordan’s talents as an athlete.
Similarly, I believe an artist’s work must have merit, but the definition of ‘art’ is not well-defined. If art must appeal to a broad audience, does that mean that an artist must create mass-produced work and readily available? Indeed, there are ready-made works of art, but also many that have a limited audience. For example, Steve Martin’s comedy routines appeal to a restricted audience. Similarly, while many people enjoy the works of William Shakespeare, they do not attend the theater to see them performed. Instead, they read these words in books or watch them on television.
The statement suggests that an artist should create work that can be understood by most. However, this conflicts with the meaning of the word “understand.” Art can be interpreted in very different ways, and different people interpret it in different ways. For example, some critics may value an artist’s work for its artistic expression, while others may judge it based on the message the artist conveys. An artist cannot please everyone, and the artist’s work is judged on its value, not on whether or not it can be understood. Therefore, I believe that the statement is not entirely accurate.