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It was put to me recently by a learned aquaintance that there is only a shallow and narrowminded level of understanding, particularly in respect of art, literature, and music.

Is it as bad as that? How could I enlighten my friend that it is not?

[Laxton's Superb]

the fact you cant perhaps speaks volumes

Ah, the obligitary repertoire of wit.

[chilli]

Originally Posted by Neubeatz

It was put to me recently by a learned aquaintance that there is only a shallow and narrowminded level of understanding, particularly in respect of art, literature, and music.

Is it as bad as that? How could I enlighten my friend that it is not?

Aberdeen is in general very safe & conservative, however there are small pockets of people trying different things. The WORD festival run by the University is a classic example of goodness & has gained a great reputation in very little time. The best initatives are being taken by independent individuals & organisations who are starting to interact with a positve & refreshing agenda.

[davetherave]

Not sure about the level of cultural awareness regarding art, music, etc, but in terms of events and exhibitions, Aberdeen has a hell of a lot more to offer now than say 5 years ago.

In terms of Music the Tunnels hosts a huge variety of music styles.

The art gallery has everything from Bronze sculpted sleeping bags to Monet, and currently has a very interesting exhibit involving an interactive tour of a Tokyo flat.

Promoters include people like Mike and Graeme (Interesting Music) who make a massive effort to seek out strange new forms of music (sounds like a star trek episode), and offer it to anyone who is open minded enough to listen!

Its all down to personal taste I guess!! I'm no culture vulture, but I approach new music, art, etc with an open mind and at least give something a chance before making a decision if I like it or not! Does that make me culturally aware, who knows?

[Ross]

Watch out....... Maxi is about......

Time to monitor this thread before the usual slagging match.

I try very hard to take an interest in art, good cinema, theatre and literature but the sad and simple fact of the matter is that I do not get as much time to do these things as I would like. Plus it costs money to go and see plays being put on at the theatre, or movies at the cinema, that said my fiancee takes home decent films from the uni library so it all works out.

Would like it if more good quality plays and art exhibitions came to the 'deen though, rather than west end musicals galore...

[Pierre Von Mondragon]

The Art gallery's permanent collection has not really changed much in the last 20 years, its not bad for a wee city, but needs an influx of funding to make it broader. Even some good loans would do the trick. Personally I THINK that the time of the municipal gallery is limited, if all the public galleries in Scotland were nationalised under the same auspices as the National Gallery of Scotland, then they could all share in the artistic treasures currently kept in storeage, and borrow things currently denied due to circumstances like bequests etc. Then we could get a shot of the Titians in Edinburgh, like 'Diana and Actaeon'.
The current highlight of AAG is without a doubt 'Pope I' by Francis Bacon, truly one of the few in Aberdeen that would be coveted by any gallery, its just so brooding.

[Keilan 303]

Whats to understand? If I like something, I like it. I'm not really one to go out my way to seek out anything particularly new, if I come across something new and I like it, great! ...if I'm told I need to broaden my horizons, open my eyes, see, hear, do, listen, taste(!) something else against my own free will, then we're off on the wrong foot and I will be biased towards ever respecting whatever it is I'm being forced to enjoy...

When you try taking things to that next level, you get pretentious and end up going to art galleries to look at blank canvases and listening to music that sounds like a cat walking up and down an untuned piano...there are many people out there who simply just aren't interested in anything to do with the arts....thats fine!! I wouldn't call them safe and conservative....they may be missing out, we may be missing out of living a sheltered life? Who can say?

It's shallow and narrowminded to expect that everyone else should understand and/or appreciate what you appreicate...

[Birdman]

Originally Posted by Neubeatz

It was put to me recently by a learned aquaintance that there is only a shallow and narrowminded level of understanding, particularly in respect of art, literature, and music.

Why, whenever people start talking about anything relating to culture, do they adopt this irritating and in this case, patronizing tone?!?

You want culture...I'll give you culture. Lick My Balls <- - - - There's your culture and it will taste salty because thats just how hard it is for us citizens to swallow this load of testicles you try to "enlighten" us with.

(Not Birdman)