Another aspect has to be the time factor of perception – I can walk into an art gallery & in a single glance have a reaction & start to form an opinion as to whether the artwork is of interest to me, whereas music can only be heard in real time; in effect it requires that I cease whatever else I was thinking/doing & relinquish control to the real time flow of the music. How long is a glimpse of music? Obviously subtleties & deeper meanings in all artforms take time, but the initial response is what allows (or not) those deepeer meanings to be found.

Its perceptually odd – I certainly find it easier to look at & disregard a visual artwork or image that I don’t like, whereas I am more afronted by music that I dont like….. but that response is different for every member of the audience…

As for the artist/audience relationship… methink that is for another post If a tree falls in a forest…

Tim i dont think that your idea of “context” makes sense in describing when one “gets” contemporary western art music , as once it is paired with a visual it is no longer a piece of music. Its like saying painting doesn’t make sense until it’s accompanied by cooking.
the context is different, granted, but music with image is not the same as music without..

also why does something artistic have to have a primary purpose? and why should tht be defined by the listener? surely it’s defined by the composer..

thredony to the victims of hiroshima
handels water music
requiems
gorecki
etc
etc

or the patron

and where is it written that painting is to be “enjoyed”?

and IMHO context does not necessitate commitment..
though it often tries to tell you it does.

L

ps looks like an interesting book

So perhaps the public is more comfortable accepting a challenge if it’s not going to mess with their emotional state as deeply. Unless they’ve already committed to that state, as in a horror movie.

But I haven’t read the book yet, I’m waiting for it. Not sure I’m going to like it.

why not? it really depends on how i’m feeling on that sunny afternoon rather than the sun’s “jovial disposition.”

like you said, context, albeit of an emotional/psychological kind