Quincy points out that Artifice in the definition of theatricality is troubling to her.
Why is artifice problematic? It's acknowledged artifice, meaning that everyone who goes to the theatre knows that what on stage is not "real" - the actors, set, lights, costumes are working to create an illusion that is acknowledged ((somewhat)) openly on either side of the footlights.
Realism for some reason attempted to overwhelm that artifice. I'm not sure how useful ignoring that artifice is any more.
It's fake. But that it's fake and we all KNOW it's fake is part of the uniqueness of the art form.
Perhaps we crave the space that artifice creates - the space to experience reality with just enough breathing room to interpret it as more significant than just reality.
1 comment:
TJ, you really misrepresent me here. GAH. Let the salt-peter argument commence. I had a problem with the word ARTIFICIAL.
ar·ti·fi·cial (är'tə-fĭsh'əl) Pronunciation Key
adj.
1.
1. Made by humans; produced rather than natural.
2. Brought about or caused by sociopolitical or other human-generated forces or influences: set up artificial barriers against women and minorities; an artificial economic boom.
2. Made in imitation of something natural; simulated: artificial teeth.
3. Not genuine or natural: an artificial smile.
NOT ARTIFICE:
ar·ti·fice (är'tə-fĭs) Pronunciation Key
n.
1. An artful or crafty expedient; a stratagem. See Synonyms at wile.
2. Subtle but base deception; trickery.
3. Cleverness or skill; ingenuity.
I think it takes artifice to make art. BUT-- artificial connotes something fake-- like silk flowers. They never fool me and they just gather dust and look ugly eventually.
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