Self-consciousness vs the Other

Self-consciousness only exists when acknowledged. Second ambiguity becomes the action of one self-consciousness with double significance, creating its own actions and the action of the Other. Both are independent. This reminds me of the movie, Inception, when Ellen Page is told she is in control of her own dreams and the self defense and consciousness within herself starts to attack the Other. The figments of her imagination start to turn on the real her. Each seeks the death of the other. The Other and self cannot be held without contradiction. They are also entangled and endanger the death of the other. We can never get outside of the circle, like we can never reach the ontic. We are trying to free ourselves from the Other and they are doing the same. We must absorb the Other.

The Birth of Tragedy: Art as a Struggle

Nietzsche discusses the opposition between Dionysian, the god associated with intoxication, and Apollonian, the god of reason and stability. Dionysian is the music pulsing through your veins, while Apollonian is the visual arts. Apollonian makes us believe that the world is a stable environment, but this "is all just a veil of comforting illusion" (88). The only common factor between Dionysian and Apollonian in the principle of art and "the development of art is bound to the duality of the Apollonian and the Dionysian" (111).
The two separate art-worlds are dream and intoxication. In the dream world, each individual is the master artist and has full control and structure. Dreams are experienced with delight and joyful urgency. Apollo always has a solemn and pleased look and gives a calming appearance. Dionysian, or intoxication, can be created through the influence of a narcotic potion or the approach of spring. Barriers between people collapse and everyone experiences freedom. Everyone starts to feel like a god and becomes the art.

Matter of Fit

Goodman writes "truth of statements and rightness of descriptions, representations, exemplifications, expressions- of design, drawing, diction, rhythm- is primarily a matter of fit (138)." We are all searching for truth in our own worlds. Truth depends on context and we can never be 100% sure of anything. A statement can be more accepting if it is credible and tested, but it is never true. A statement can also become false the same exact way. Two statements can be contradicting and be accepted or rejected, depending on our context. We are trying to reach right conclusions. Permanent acceptability must be put through a sufficient condition of rightness. A picture represents truth, but the truth can never be extrapolated from the image. Rightness differs in the arts and the sciences. The closest we can come to finding the truth is joining in a general consensus.

Fill in the Gaps

There is more to what meets the eye. Not every observation is obvious. Goodman discusses the concept of two flashing shapes. As the observer, we are not aware of the object moving until the second flash occurs. This causes us to move backwards and see the scenario in reverse. He then goes even further and analyzes colors. Some objects don't even change color until the last second. This theory can go even further and be demonstrated in movies or flip books. Our mind fills in the gaps, even if they are miniscule seconds of time. To go from one scene to another causes us to unconsciously make up for the missing difference. In order to create new worlds, we must take from previous worlds and reconstruct and deduct. We can find something new in the gaps that are created.

Formation of a Face

I believe that Elkin's definition of a face and Goodman's definition of identity go hand-in-hand. A face is just an organization of entities, such as the eyes, nose and mouth. Without emotion, an inanimate object can resemble and represent a face. The position doesn't matter, as long as it has all the entities. It depends on the frame of reference and focuses on an individual's perspective.
When we smile, is it really happiness or only representing happiness? If we smile frequently, will it take away from the original meaning and emotion that a smile brings? The joy of a smile can be from within or part of a daily routine. We can smile for comfort and manipulate others within through emotion. It is up to our own discernment whether a smile is genuine or not and to determine what formation the face makes.

When is Art?

Style is saying the same thing in two different ways, it is the opposite of a synonym. An example from the book could be between the sample of swatch or the giant cupcake. When an object has more than one meaning it becomes confusing. In the example, which properties are exemplified depends on context. Style is what is exemplified. The difference between style and subject are the way we say things and what we are talking about. What we find is not dependent on what we seek. Expression is a big part of style, but is not limited by feelings. "Art without symbols is restricted to art without subject (58)" and properties that do not symbolize are considered 'pure' art. Symbols are external to the picture. Goodman's purpose is to free style from former constraints.

Norton Museum of Art

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