On Great Art

Or Why Critics Have Jobs

Great art is uncanny. It is often ironic but not never blatantly self-contradictory.

Great art is easy to copy but not easy to create. It is effortless and clever without being lazy or gimmicky. It is obvious but not formulaic, succinct without being trivial, specific without being superficial.

Great art is timely, but not opportunistic, timeless, but not pretentious. It is deep but not esoteric, subtle but not inscrutable. It is spontaneous but not sloppy, carefully crafted but not overcooked.