Response to Jacob Wheeler's post on 10/11/11 at 2:10pm

Clive Bell does, as we have discussed in class, completely ignore proper theoretical support. Elitism, in my opinion, is never truly a good thing to follow. Elitists are snobby, and condescend in most ways possible. When trying to prove things, such as in Bell's case, they often fog up their fortification by making vague remarks and faulty references. Based on Bell's essay, I would say that there's no way that his elitist writing can be refuted. Theories created by an elitist can be true and credible, but only if the writer can negate their elitist views for the duration of their essay.

I disagree with Bell's ideas on form as well. His view from the essay is very close-minded and exclusive, and closes off correct artistic interpretation. If we are not to judge something based on its content, then we are judging based on the content we receive from it, which follows most aesthetic theories, but closes out his originality, and in my opinion, correctness. I believe we can't judge something in ostensibly objective terms without using content.