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Silouana's avatar

I just read Nihilism by Fr. Seraphim Rose and recommend it! So much I can see in a new light now, that you have also touched upon here.

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Rick's avatar

Thank you Hilary, very informative. So am I right to conclude: Bolshevism was the revolution that wanted to destroy traditional politics, economics and society whilst its offspring Dadaism proudly sought to destroy culture, art and literature?

Whilst Bolshevism has been discredited as it proved to have real and disastrous consequences for everyone, the influence of Dadaism has lived on, maybe as it really only exists in the rareified atmosphere of the cultural elite, thus not impacting the daily life. Add to this, I suppose, that there is only so much a critic can write about a realist landscape or portrait (and if you can't write much, who willl pay you and how will you distinguish yourself) whereas with an abstract piece there is no end to what a critic can write as no one can prove them wrong or tell them they aren't qualified to comment or don't know what they are talking about. So abstract art is hept alive as it is a bottomless brunch for art crtics who couldn't draw a triangle themselves but can make a living writing tosh about meaningless art.

The Emperor really is wearing no clothes!

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