Peter Elyakim Taussig
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Why it is wise Not to Explain

11/1/2012

2 Comments

 
Robert Frost once read poetry at Dartmouth (or as he called it “said” his poetry). A student did not understand a poem and asked him to explain it. Frost was silent for a moment, then said: “I will say it again then”. And that was pretty well the best he could do.

The reason one should never be tempted to explain one’s work is that it would deprive the recipient from experiencing the work for themselves. A work of art is only a trigger to unleash something personal in each individual, something unique to them alone. The current fad of self indulgent artist statements and revealing interviews about the creative process provides a shallow voyeuristic pleasure for the audience but at the same time deprives them of the opportunity to use the work for what it was intended, a gateway to the deepest recesses of their own soul. Expounding one’s own interpretation of one’s work limits the audience to consume rather than discover.

Every work of art worth its salt contains the secret of its creation which, like a Pharaoh’s tomb, should remain undisturbed.
2 Comments
Michael Colgrass link
11/1/2012 01:54:22 pm

I agree that the writer should not usurp the reader's opportunity to experience the writing him- or herself. I am a composer and find that explaining the essence of a work is impossible anyway. But I do explain the process of the writing or composing, not the content, and that often satisfies the reader or listener. On a similar subject I really dislike talking about the creation of a work while I'm in the middle of it, which I consider to be a betrayal of confidence to my creative part. The heart of a creation is just that—heart, and deals with the most mysterious aspects of the unconscious mind. If I had been Frost I would have asked the questioner to tell me what he thinks the poem is about. To guess if he thinks he doesn't really know. I have found some quite wonderful answers come from listeners when I respond that way. Because ultimately the poet and the composer can't explain what the work is about because they don't know. That's why we write and compose—to find out what we are saying.

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Peter Elyakim Taussig
11/1/2012 03:01:44 pm

Very good suggestion, Michael. I have often been enlightened by listeners' comments about my work. They heard things I did not intend but which made perfect sense to me. Perhaps interpreting was their job, not mine anyway.

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  • Home
  • Books
    • Yossl the Citron King
    • The Atheist's Guide to Miracles
    • Imposter
    • The Art of Fugue
    • Blombach
    • Man without a shadow
    • Ozzie's Last Triumph
    • Dancing on the Head of a Pin
    • Tootpicks for Dinner
    • Lost in the Dunes
    • Rhymes Lost to Reason: Poems
    • Arsy-Versy: New Poems
  • Music
  • Photography
    • The Secret Lives of Trees
    • What the Sand Whispered
    • Creatures of Enchanted Woods
    • Video, comedy
  • About
  • Contact
  • Blogs
    • Poems
    • Posts
  • Piano Recordings