what does this quote mean?

Question

"there is a limit at which the practice of any art becomes an affront to affliction"

im struggling with the affront to affliction part

Answer 1

you ran out of paper.

Answer 2

This quote is from a book "The Writing of the Disaster, by Maurice Blanchot.

In the passage of the quote, the author is speaking about Himmler and how he fainted at mass executions and as a consequence, fearing that he had shown weakness ordered to multiply the executions and as a result, gas chambers were invented. It then talked about how concerts were organized and how the power of music brought about forgetfulness and caused the distance between murderers and victims to disappear. Then he comments that "for the pariahs (outsiders), there was neither sport nor music." Then the quote, "There is a limit at which the practice of any art becomes an affront to affliction."

He is saying that there is a limit at which the practice of any art becomes an insult to misery; it becomes no longer tolerated by misery, that the misery can no longer be hidden by the practicing of any art; that there is a point where the practicing of any art adds insult to the affliction and doesn't lessen it. He spoke about the effects of music and how it makes one forget the afflictions. Yet, he further says that there is a point, a limit, at which the practicing of any art (including music), doesn't make one forget the afflictions, but adds insult (affront) to it (affliction) and thus increases the affliction.

Basically, he says that art works up to a point, after which it adds to the affliction.

Answer 3

it means that art can never really illustrate the real life pain that it portrays, and sometimes it can make the real life situation seem less meaningful, thus shadowing rather than illuminating the topic at hand.

Answer 4

it means dont get to involved with art. kinda sorta.

Answer 5

wait........