the Aesthetics and the Sublime in Prometheus

David 1

MemberOvomorphMay 18, 20121525 Views13 Replies

Whenever I watch a movie there are somethings that I personally expect to be there: 1 - The moral of the story 2 - An interesting plot [that shows the moral of the story] 3 - A superb acting [that conducts the plot to the moral of the story] 4 - The treatment of the images shown 5 - The sound track 6 - The arousal of one's intelectual and emotional capabilities [via the above mentioned] and, 7 - The overall Aesthetics [the summability of all] [b]Granted:[/b] there are some "artists" with a very weird idea of what "Art" is about, and one fails to understand whatever they are showing [if anything]. [b] And a Reply to this would be:[/b] "that's because you don't understand it", to wich I would have to reply: "Since when Is Art about NOT understanding almost imediatly what is given?" Moving forward; There are very few movies that actually do what a movie is supposed to do, i.e., to apply the 7 principles above mentioned. To mention some: 2001 [obvious], Alien, Dune, The Shining. To me, personally, Art is about the experience of the Sublime. And the Sublime is an intelectual and emotional sense that is aroused [in this case, via sight and earing]. The Sublime is not Beauty. Beauty is Beauty. Neither is it Ugliness. Ugliness is ugliness. The Sublime is both at the same time. Is when we find ugliy, monstruous things to be beautiful and beautiful things to be ugly and monstruous. That is why we seem to enjoy Alien. And [i]That[/i] is exactly what I expect from Prometheus [in the field of Aesthetics]. Your thoughts are, as always, desirable. Share them peeps. ^.^

[b]Ask nothing from no one. Demand nothing from no one. Expect nothing from no one.[/b]

Jason8
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May 18, 2012

The viewer brings their own understanding to their appreciation of art. For me the Matrix trilogy was art but many people that I talked with did not appreciate it because they did not understand it. I always thought that Picasso was having a laugh but I can understand how cubism relates to Guernica. To dimiss art because you don't understand it might require a little work on your part. The artist is communicating an idea that might be over your head or perhaps under your feet. This is not to say that I like all art. Some of it is terrible or poorly executed.

David 1
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May 18, 2012

Hi Jason8: Well, as for what Art means and all, Art it self appears to be a subjective thing. But actually the only subjective thing it carries is the culture and time-frame where it is employed. Art in it self is objective, in the sense that is instantly recognised as being "whatever Art is". As to the "over the head" or "undeneath ones feet" concept, I'll have to disagree. True that in some stances, one needs some work done to understand the principles of a certain art-school [cubism et all]. Never-the-less, the idea is pretty much the same in every art form [i.e. an interpretation on reality and the Sublime]. as for the Matrix, most people don't pay attention to what is going on. Mostly just watch it for the action sake, wich is not even the basic plot of the 3 movies. Sure it helps to entertain, but the overall message is way deeper than "bullet time". Funny, when I was at Uni we had a lecture specifically about Matrix and all the Philosophers and Philosofy it carries. From Descartes [what is reality?] to Wittgenstein [what is the meaning of love other than a word?] and all in between and beyond.

[b]Ask nothing from no one. Demand nothing from no one. Expect nothing from no one.[/b]

David 1
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May 18, 2012

Hephaesta: How's your portuguese? Is it good? What about your spanish, italian, french and german? Do you even know there are languages other than english? I SAY HATER

[b]Ask nothing from no one. Demand nothing from no one. Expect nothing from no one.[/b]

Sky
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May 18, 2012

Ignoring the grammar nazi comment above, let me get back to the topic. Art is subjective. I am into hobby of sketching (mostly in landscapes) and I like the landscapes, dark art and the the sad side of the nature.

Uncertainty is the only certainty there is, and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.

David 1
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May 18, 2012

Sky: Grammar Nazi reported. yes, the dark and sad side of things are paradoxally bright and soothing.

[b]Ask nothing from no one. Demand nothing from no one. Expect nothing from no one.[/b]

Ghaim Overman
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May 18, 2012

David 1 - Nice thread, GREAT post. I certainly desire all of those things from a film ( most of them from all art and actually some from existence itself [though OFTEN disappointed]). But for me, the (consciously) analytical side of my brain while viewing a film, at least for the first time, is turned off. It has to be a visceral experience, digested and metabolized (if you will) before I can get to your #'s 1 -7. Of course #6's emotional is essentially what I'm speaking of. MY doorway.

Jason8
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May 18, 2012

@David 1 Which posses the question, where is meaning contained? In the mind of the creator of the art or in the mind of the consumer! "love" can be understood from many levels, which I think was the point of the scene. At one level it is just a word but the word is loaded with ideas and images and emotions. Communication takes place when when both parties experience similar ideas, images and emotions. When they do not the message is lost. I am reminded of a comment made by Isaac Asimov who, after attending a Uni course on science fiction in which his story "Nightfall" was discussed, said to the professor "that is not what the author had in mind in writting the story." The professor replied, knowing who he was talking to, "What do you know about it?"

David 1
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May 18, 2012

hi, Ghaim Overman: Thank you kindly friend. Yes, I try to turn my analytical side off, but keeps turning on [man, this sounds bad]. Nevertheless I do take great joy in the emotional department. I hear you friend.

[b]Ask nothing from no one. Demand nothing from no one. Expect nothing from no one.[/b]

David 1
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May 18, 2012

hi Jason8: Indeed, where is the meaning? Is it in the eye of the beholder or is it in whatever the gaze is set upon? That is the principle of Phenomenology [we know only what our senses tell us about the world and not the world it self]. But it seems you actually find the bridge to fill the gap, as you stated: "Communication takes place when when both parties experience similar ideas, images and emotions. When they do not the message is lost." So, the meaning seems to be [i]mediatly taken and understood by both the artist/lover and the consumer/loved one. I assume It is even more so when the Art form [whatever it may be] is clear enough to be understood. I didn't know that about Asimov. Thank you for teaching me something new, friend.

[b]Ask nothing from no one. Demand nothing from no one. Expect nothing from no one.[/b]

sukkal
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May 18, 2012

@ David 1 — You might be a bit too smart and thoughtful to be hanging out here. ;•) But, I very much appreciate that you are. The ACID test of this "Is it art? Is it sublime?" question for [u]me[/u] is [i]Tree of Life[/i]. I believe that it is an intensely PERSONAL film that Terrence Malick made for himself and himself alone. How it GOT made, I'm not sure. However, if you've been on a life journey that is similar to Malick's, you [u]get[/u] it, in a profound way. If you have not, regardless of your level of artistic aesthetic or intelligence, you [u]don't[/u] get it. In fact, it comes across as utterly masturbatory on his part and so pretentious that you want to vomit. It is all those things to me, but when the dinosaurs showed up, I thought, "Holy Sh$T!!" this is brilliant. I [u]really[/u] get that film. However, on the opposite end of the spectrum I also think that [i]Idiocracy[/i] it utterly brilliant. GENIUS!! And, I even extracted epiphany-level meaning out of [i]Avatar[/i]. There is a scene in that film in which a burning horse is running through the forest — still on fire — blindly in panic. It does not know what is happening, only that it is in utter agony and fear. It is not a real horse. It has 6 legs. That doesn't matter. It is a metaphor — for all of the horses that have died and burned to death at the hands of humans in war. All wars. Every war. As the viewer, it is only necessary that my IMAGINATION be able to understand that. [i]Cogito ergo sum.[/i]

David 1
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May 18, 2012

bonsoir sukkal: eheh, "You might be a bit too smart and thoughtful to be hanging out here!" that is exactly what my parents tell me when I'm around. LMFAO: Tree Of Life is a very beautiful film with lots of eye-candy and cerebral masturbation. The "Creation" part of it [though a la 2001] is exhilarating. Kudos for a great movie. I haven't watched Idiocracy yet... may need to "acquire" it now that you mention it. Just thought of Begotten... no sound track, lots of hard imagery, and religious meanings there; yet also aesthetical Imagination IS the greatest asset we have in all sorts of things for all sort of things. What would Art be without it? What would we be without it? How boring life would be... ((((((facehuggs)))))

[b]Ask nothing from no one. Demand nothing from no one. Expect nothing from no one.[/b]

sukkal
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May 18, 2012

There are some things about the humor in Idiocracy that are very US-specific, but I don't think you'll have any trouble "getting" all of it. OMG, the [u]diagnosis[/u] scene in the hospital is one of THE best things in the history of film. You have to be prepared to freeze frame to see all of the "options" on her board, though. ROFLMAO. A sério!

David 1
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May 18, 2012

tenho que ver... lol

[b]Ask nothing from no one. Demand nothing from no one. Expect nothing from no one.[/b]