Essay on "Expression Theory"

Essay 4 pages (1205 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Expression Theory

There is much controversy regarding the concept of art in the contemporary society, as while some are likely to categorize a particular something as having an artistic nature, others are likely to refute this claim. Robin George Collingood's book "Principles of Art" puts across the feeling that art is something mental in character, with the writer generally considering that one cannot simply refer to a work of art as being an object. His main focus in this book is to provide readers with a complex understanding of the concept of art, artistic language, and the relationship that an artist develops with the outside world as a consequence of his actions. Jim Jarmusch 1991 motion picture Night on Earth is apparently meant to present audiences with rather obscure episodes in some people's lives but actually manages to induce passionate feelings in viewers through providing more information regarding the lives and personalities of the taxi drivers portrayed in the film.

Collingood considers that any artist should consider the audience that he or she is interested in addressing before creating artwork. If he or she thinks the targeted public is accustomed to associating particular concepts with certain meanings, he or she can use these respective concepts with the purpose of having audiences gain a better understanding of the message that he or she is trying to convey. At some point, however, the artist is likely to use ideas that his audience is not familiar with. Even with that, the fact that people manage to understand his initial thinking makes it easier for them to understand later concepts, even if they are not acquainted with them. The writer thus promotes the belief that all artists need to have an understanding of their targeted public in order for the audience to be able to understand the perspective that artists are trying to put across (Collingood, 8).

The fact that Jarmusch initially presents the characters in his film as being perfectly normal and as having all the traits that social stereotypes influence people in thinking they have is likely to be an attempt to speak in a general language. It is difficult for him to present viewers with the personalities of his characters without first having them think that they very similar to them. According to Collingood, artists need to have people assimilate the experiences of the characters they see with their own experiences. Consequent to having viewers acquainted with each character, Jarmusch brings in more information and emphasizes the fact that each individual has something special about him or herself and that it is wrong to discriminate on the basis of appearance. The first chapter of the film actually contributes to this through having viewers look at matters from the point-of-view of Victoria Snelling (Gena Rowlands), only to later reveal that the eerie-looking cab driver named Corky has a personality of her own and a determination that prevents her from feeling any attraction in regard to material values. Thus, not only is Corky a complex individual, as she is a person who has no interest in idolatrizing film stars or famous people in general. It is very probable that Jarmusch uses this character in order to have his viewers learn that it is wrong to discriminate and that it is even worse to consider that stars are any different from ordinary individuals.

The first chapter of the film presents audiences with relatively normal individuals as they express their personal convictions and as they manage to have viewers understand that there is more to them than one might initially think. The director also has viewers acquainted… READ MORE

How to Reference "Expression Theory" Essay in a Bibliography

Related Essays:

Theory Essay

Theory

There have been several attempts to understand the infant self and the formation of behaviors as the infants grow, right from birth through their childhood and adolescence. Of particular… read more

Essay 6 pages (2479 words) Sources: 9 Style: APA Topic: Child Development / Youth / Teens

---

Theory -- Horotwitz and Bartholomew Attachment Chapter

Theory -- Horotwitz & Bartholomew

Attachment Theory and Grief

Understanding attachment theory as applied in the study of grief and bereavement in adults require a thorough reading of one of… read more

Chapter 15 pages (4058 words) Sources: 15 Topic: Child Development / Youth / Teens

---

Theories How Refusal to Hire Ex-Offenders Research Paper

Theories

How Refusal to Hire Ex-Offenders in Florida is affecting the Recidivism Rate Compared to Other States.

Criminal offenders often commit more crimes after they return to the community. This… read more

Research Paper 9 pages (3300 words) Sources: 7 Topic: Crime / Police / Criminal Justice

---

Kolcaba's Comfort Theory Utilized in Med Surge Dialysis Application Essay

Medical Theory

Ever since the last century, nursing has becoming a professional discipline and just like every other discipline, it requires some theories to guide it. It has been seen… read more

Application Essay 10 pages (3095 words) Sources: 8 Topic: Healthcare / Health / Obamacare

---

General Systems Theory and Modern Research Paper

System Theory

The origin and foundation of system theory

System theory as a general frame of inquiry

System and environment

Living System Theory

Boundaries of Living System theory

General system… read more

Research Paper 17 pages (4711 words) Sources: 25 Topic: Philosophy / Logic / Reason

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>