Is sentimentality desirable in paintings, photography, or any art form? Explain.?

Answer 1

It seems to me like the question is all definitional really. I think of sentimentality as a hollow sort of appeal to cuteness or tragedy without the reflection that we would expect art to engage in. Thus, the real problem is in what we should consider art.

I have poet friends that I like to tease about writing poems about sad clowns and unicorns. They clearly wouldn't consider such poems "art." However, art or no, I would argue that there is a place for the quick hit, "easy" appeal to emotion that some media forms (I'm being careful about my choice of words; notice I didn't say art) can create. Why should we get all upset about, say, those cute photo prints of little girls holding kittens? Sentimental and gooey? Yes. Hurting anybody? No.

The key is to create a populace capable of knowing the difference between real explorations of ideas and emotion vs. a populace that can't tell the difference in value between sad clown poems and T.S. Eliot. Sentimentality has a place, but we need to know it when we see it.

Answer 2

I'm not a photographer but I spent a lot of time with because I shared a house with students who went to the Brooke's Institute, a photography school in SB. Anyway, I asked them this because I come from a family of artists who have this same discussion. Basically, it's a great way to network, meet people, get experience, and get internships. You really can find work, if you're out going enough. On the other hand, there really are those like one of my friend's who didn't finish school before getting a show in our town. Basically, school is a non determinate factor, but it does help! *** Many professional photographers do in fact have degrees. Some of this information is wrong. You think just anybody can shoot for Discovery or the New York Times or Vanity Fair? Associated Press or a crime scen? You all really shouldn't assume that most photographers have never studied art or photography. It's simply not true.No one wants to pay some guy $2 k for model pics when he never studied professionally. Sure, you might think of yourself as an artist, but that doesn't mean you don't need to study or learn or read about photography. If you don't believe me, then go to their websites and look at the job requirements. They all want people with degrees. If you want to be an artist, that's great, but most artists don't make any money. A real artist will look for a way for expression as well as a format for income.

Answer 3

Basically any art form. Like, when photography has sentiment in it it shows that there was emotion put into it. And most paintings deal with some sort of emotion rather than any sort of reason. I suppose you can say sentiment drags the person into the painting more so than anything else.. it especially works with photography.

Answer 4

Nostalgia, longing, any type of real feelings -- yes. Sentimentality of the "cute" type -- that's for HallMark greetings and Victorian-style Christmas cards. Sentimentality is a minor relative to true emotion, and art captures real emotion.

Answer 5

One of the primary tests for judging the full value of an artist's efforts is through the sincerity, the honestly, of the work.

Sentimentality, anguish, doubt, fear, humor, awe, confusion, etc.

If the intent is honest it will show through the work and be accepted for what it is. If the artist is trying to manipulate our responses, trying to go for a quick sale, then my answer is no.

Answer 6

Always! Emotions and thought are the two things that drive one to create! Without emotions there would be no art.