A Second Response to Leeper's Challenge

 

 

     I would like to make another post on something that we discussed in class that I am having a difficult time justifying. This would be the subject of escapism and the fairy tale.

     As I recall, when we were discussing fairy tales and other related topics, Leeper said that fairy tales are good and special because, more so than other stories, they are a form of escapism. However, this past week when we were in class, he stated that Thomas Kinkade's paintings are not really much of art because they are, and I quote, "Wishful thinking." Well, I would have to say that this sounds to me to be rather self-defeating of an argument. Now, let me get this out before I continue. I am not an avid fan of Thomas Kinkade, although I do like a fair amount of his works. I am not making this post because I think he was the second coming of Caravaggio. I am making this post becasue I think it is unfair to have a double standard when talking about art. Leeper seems to say that fairy tales are better art simply because he likes them more. However, my mom would argue that Kinkade is better art because she likes him more. Who is right? In my opinion they both are. Since we can agree that both fairy tales and Kinkade's paintings are basically the same form of escapism, then if one is "bad art", then the other must be as well. However, since I don't think that most people in class would agree that fairy tales are bad art, it must follow that neither are Kinkade's paintings.Again it follows that if they are both not "bad art", then it must simply be a matter of taste and preference. Whether you like them or not, they connect with some people in a way that Oscar Wilde or C.S. Lewis might not.

     I am not posting this because I think that we should argue in class over who is a better artist, Kinkade or C.S. Lewis. However, I do think that we should attempt to judge with a somewhat less biased eye than we have been lately. I personally have not enjoyed a fair amount of the films in class, but for others they may be more interesting and meaningful. So I think it is with Kinkade.

     P.S. By the way, concerning Leeper complaining about Kinkade painting small amounts of his paintings and still putting his name on it, this was also practiced to a lesser degree by many of the Renaissance masters. We should also be aware of this point.