Zipping around in some pseudo-jet humming Beethoven's 9th does NOT equal Art Appreciation.
Heathens.
Why is it so impossible to teach anything about art? I swear 3/4 of the adults in this country think the point of a painting is to represent reality and the best replica wins -- they Do Not Get It!
And the well-intended nitwits who give docent lectures don't get it, either. Sure, facts and stories can add color. Sometimes. But they're superfluous to the endeavor.
Just like with football - knowing someone's mother recently overcame cancer (or was a prostitute) doesn't necessarily have anything to do with interceptions. Or good paintings.
Why can't we artists, not Great Artists, just ordinary artists, why can't we explain to people what it is about SEEING.
Music - memorizing a few notes. Big effing deal. Let them bang on pots and pans and find out for themselves what rhythm FEELS like.
That's my beef - the arts need more experiential learning, and fewer superficial facts.
pffff
and I need more coffee