Friday, August 17, 2012

Appreciation – What’s in a word?



Some time back I defined myself on the website of an “arts group” as my practiced involvement in the arts being “appreciation” ... so what did I mean? 

Appreciation is one of those multiple meaning words, to say nothing of its contextual work as noun, verb, adverb or even adjective.  It can also be a “moody” word, just depends on who it’s with at the time.   Selah!!

Entailed in my approach to art appreciation is . . .
  • Appreciation: an understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something; "she has a good grasp of photographic practices"
  • Appreciation: a description of the amount by which a painting has increased in value.
  • Admiration: a favourable judgment; "a small token in admiration of your works"
  • Appreciative: a feeling or expressive of gratitude; "was appreciative of his artistic efforts"; "an appreciative word"

These entailments provide one a framework to grow as art appreciators. Understanding and having a growing-grasp calls us to be learners, recognising increased value calls us to be discerners, looking for positive meaning engages us as critical admirers, and being appreciative reminds us  “for creativity to increase, encouragers will always be required”.

Saint Paul, an appreciator of art in his time; in writing to some early Christians gives some encouragement fitting/transferable to growing as an art appreciator . . .

“Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” -- Philippians 4:8-9 (Message Bible)

Art appreciation is not just in what I see and value, it is also in what we can become through the process.