For the few loyal readers of this blog: I have returned from my hiatus with a new direction. For various reasons posting 3 times a week was beyond my capabilities. Mostly this had to do with my desire for every post to be meaningful and that took a lot out of me. I don't like to post things of a personal nature for various and sundry reasons, so I was scrambling to provide an intelligent, articulate, and well researched post on such a frequent basis.
For those who don't know, my favorite things to read are criticism. I seriously considered pursuing a graduate degree in art history and criticism with the intention of being an art critic. The first sections I flip to (or click to as the case may be) in papers and magazines are the reviews. Whether it's art criticism, film criticism, literary criticism, dance reviews, or music reviews I'm hooked. It's been this way for several years now, and my secret wish is to be an art and film critic for a major magazine or paper. So, after analyzing my blog traffic and realizing that my reviews (especially my review of Vik Muniz's work, and the film Gone Baby Gone) still receive a significant amount of hits daily, and much prodding from my wife (who says she really likes my reviews even though she kind of has to say that) I've decided to post a weekly review.
You might ask what value criticism has in a culture already over saturated with entertainment. You might ask why I don't focus on something more useful to society and the world at large. I would respond by saying that is a valid question, and that through criticism I try to understand why our culture is the way it is, and we we focus on we do. I would say that every culture tries to express itself in some creative way, because of the creative forces that created us. I try, in my own way, to provide more understanding and perspective so that we may be better agents of hope and renewal. I hope you enjoy as I explore criticism through this blog, and I sincerely hope you'll comment on my reviews (whether you agree or disagree) and thus help me hone my critical skills as well as become a better writer.
Steven
For those who don't know, my favorite things to read are criticism. I seriously considered pursuing a graduate degree in art history and criticism with the intention of being an art critic. The first sections I flip to (or click to as the case may be) in papers and magazines are the reviews. Whether it's art criticism, film criticism, literary criticism, dance reviews, or music reviews I'm hooked. It's been this way for several years now, and my secret wish is to be an art and film critic for a major magazine or paper. So, after analyzing my blog traffic and realizing that my reviews (especially my review of Vik Muniz's work, and the film Gone Baby Gone) still receive a significant amount of hits daily, and much prodding from my wife (who says she really likes my reviews even though she kind of has to say that) I've decided to post a weekly review.
You might ask what value criticism has in a culture already over saturated with entertainment. You might ask why I don't focus on something more useful to society and the world at large. I would respond by saying that is a valid question, and that through criticism I try to understand why our culture is the way it is, and we we focus on we do. I would say that every culture tries to express itself in some creative way, because of the creative forces that created us. I try, in my own way, to provide more understanding and perspective so that we may be better agents of hope and renewal. I hope you enjoy as I explore criticism through this blog, and I sincerely hope you'll comment on my reviews (whether you agree or disagree) and thus help me hone my critical skills as well as become a better writer.
Steven
4 comments:
Woo-hoo! Welcome back, Coffee Talk.
I'm almost completely with you on this. I occasionally enjoy posting the personal stuff, but the drive to be 'meaningful' (whatever that is) is a real killer. I suppose there are only so many times a week a person can mean.
All the same, hooray for weekly reviews, and when you find yourself in charge of an Art or Style section, remember the Littles who read your blog.
I tried to calculate the time I was spending writing 3 posts a week. It seems like the average amount of time I spend on a post I really like is about 4 hours. That's just too much work on top of my job and being a newlywed. So one post a week it is.
If I'm ever in charge of an art or style section we'll turn you into the next Chuck Klosterman or Peter Travers.
I'm ever so glad you're back! I was complaining to your wife about you not writing anymore. About criticism, I want to devote my life to literary criticism and theory so I understand your desire. I've spent a considerable amount of time wondering whether my chosen career path is valid and useful and I'm still undecided. But here's the rub, if someone is willing to pay me to read, write what I think, and tell young people about it for the rest of my days, I'm okay with that. It may not be as important as medicine, or law, or landscaping but it surely is more fun for me.
come on guys...criticism isn't just important, it's a way of life...where would we academics be without it, eh?
glad I've linked to you just in time for the Big Return from The Hiatus!
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