Authorial Intent / Authority vs. the Reader's Interpretation

[Cloud]

the intersection between art and perception is fascinating.

An artist creates something with an intent.

An art lover sees something different.

Who is correct?

I think it's a meeting of two perceptions. A skilled artist can create something that elicits a reaction, some emotion, some resonance in the viewer (or reader, in this case). A viewer brings his or her own experience, and feelings, and understanding, thereby adding something to the art.

Perhaps a genius can make something so perfect that the person experiencing it will only "get" the artist's original intent.

But I doubt it.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by Cloud

the intersection between art and perception is fascinating.

An artist creates something with an intent.

An art lover sees something different.

Who is correct?

I think it's a meeting of two perceptions. A skilled artist can create something that elicits a reaction, some emotion, some resonance in the viewer (or reader, in this case). A viewer brings his or her own experience, and feelings, and understanding, thereby adding something to the art.

Perhaps a genius can make something so perfect that the person experiencing it will only "get" the artist's original intent.

But I doubt it.

This comes back to a recent notion of "ownership" and "intent". If you put your "art" into the public domain you have very little control over how people are going to take what is put out and give their own meaning to it, for whatever purpose.