Episode 42: Aaron Eastburn: Art as Communicative Language and Empathy-Generator

A software engineer and a mathematician, Aaron argues that empathy is a central part of art, both on the part of the artist and on the part of the viewer. In order for the artist to be able to convey something they have to have empathy for how other people experience the world. But he also says that sometimes "art doesn't have to conform to well-described experiences" and that the viewer can experience something over and above what the artist intended. RP Flores says that it now looks like, from their conversation, that sometimes an artwork can exceed the expectations or intentions of the artist. He agrees, and states that most of the art that he sees is art made by friends of his; he reads the artist's statement, and thinks of the intentions. She points out that Aaron seems to see art as a communicative process, which is the way that philosophers have traditionally thought of how language works. He agrees: art requires active collaboration of the audience. Art is this active thing we take up, it requires communication to understand what someone is trying to convey, and it requires empathy. The nearby church bells drown out the end of the fascinating conversation. Support the showWebsite: talkpopc.orgInstagram: @talkpopcEmail: [email protected]