I've often grappled with the question of how one can truly explain the quality of art. What makes one piece of art a masterpiece, while another is drivel not fit to be displayed in a motel room? Many a book has been written, many a inept term paper has been waded through, and many a career has actually been built around trying to explain this subject. An entire lexicon has evolved in an attempt to put basic human reactions into words. The trouble is, this makes the entire concept of appreciating art top-heavy; more time is spent trying to explain the material rather than actually enjoying it. Plus, it gives the perception that art is only for the intelligentsia; something that the uniformed masses could not fully comprehend.
This is where the genius of Beavis & Butthead come in. They have reduced the discussion of any form of art -be it music videos or anything else they stumble across- to whether the subject in question is cool or if it sucks. While there can be variations incorporated into this method of viewing art ["That was sort of cool." or "This sucks worse than anything has ever sucked before."] it is primarily a system based on binary opposition- something is either cool or it sucks. This reductive view is the most simple, honest way to understand art. It states the viewers opinion on the material in a way that is both comprehensible and succinct.
An example of how this viewpoint can be applied: Hamlet is cool, while Congo sucks. While much more can -and has- been said on Hamlet, be it to discuss it's characterization, it's plot, or the various psychological concepts that can be overlayed on the charaters, it isn't actually necessary. Stating that the play is "cool" will assure someone that watching and appreciating the play is a worthwhile endeavor, while not tainting their own interpretation of the play with any preconcieved notions of what they should or should not be viewing. While any number of snide comments can be made at the expense of the movie Congo -it doesn't even have the good graces to be a good bad movie- wasting time with verbal barbs is giving the movie more time than it deserves. Just say it sucks and dismiss it, no more need be said.
Through the idiot savant wisdom of Beavis & Butthead art can once again be appreciated by anyone who feels like forming an opinion.
Next time I'll explain how South Park is the first television show that can be used to induce vomiting. Until then, you can write to me at gleep9@hotmail.com. Now pop on back to either the Literature or Main page. It'll be cool, trust me.
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