I am inordinately lucky to live in Rome, a city that is inordinately beautiful. The Pantheon almost always makes me emotional and I often cry. Thank you for explaining why.
"How you experience being moved might depend on your exposure to life events, the context in which the art is displayed, your coping response in that moment, your proneness to crying and how much you notice other physical responses. These elements all contribute to one incredibly unique experience in space and time." This is so interesting, particularly the fact that all of these different aspects uniquely come together in one moment. I've wondered why an artwork would move me to tears once but not again - and that must be because of my coping response at the time. Also, I recognised myself in some of what you were saying here. I find it hard not to cry when other people I know / like / love are crying. I can't bear to see them in pain. It would help if I could be a bit stronger in those moments!
It’s quite incredible when you think about the power/skill of artists to create art that holds space for our experiences. I wonder how an artists own empathy levels impact /influence our reactions too?
I think it’s great to be empathic and vulnerable with others, I’m very much the same when it comes to seeing my child or a friend upset. Sometimes being there in that moment with them is more impactful than trying to fix a problem or make things better. X
I am inordinately lucky to live in Rome, a city that is inordinately beautiful. The Pantheon almost always makes me emotional and I often cry. Thank you for explaining why.
"How you experience being moved might depend on your exposure to life events, the context in which the art is displayed, your coping response in that moment, your proneness to crying and how much you notice other physical responses. These elements all contribute to one incredibly unique experience in space and time." This is so interesting, particularly the fact that all of these different aspects uniquely come together in one moment. I've wondered why an artwork would move me to tears once but not again - and that must be because of my coping response at the time. Also, I recognised myself in some of what you were saying here. I find it hard not to cry when other people I know / like / love are crying. I can't bear to see them in pain. It would help if I could be a bit stronger in those moments!
It’s quite incredible when you think about the power/skill of artists to create art that holds space for our experiences. I wonder how an artists own empathy levels impact /influence our reactions too?
I think it’s great to be empathic and vulnerable with others, I’m very much the same when it comes to seeing my child or a friend upset. Sometimes being there in that moment with them is more impactful than trying to fix a problem or make things better. X
Can artists convey empathy or are they documenting truths for the viewer to interpret?
Yes to your last sentence x