On the Difference Between Art, Spectacle and Entertainment

Art. Spectacle. Entertainment. All of these concepts are speculative, in the sense that it is only when we grasp the meaning of each of them that we begin to see what they mean. In the opposite case, a person simply does not distinguish one from the other, for him these concepts are mixed together and often applied to the same thing. At the same time, what is denoted by these concepts can overlap with each other, forming one whole with each other. But even in this case, something must come to the fore – either entertainment, or spectacle, or art; Otherwise, the work simply loses its expressiveness, which is the most important condition of human perception: the expressive is perceived much easier and better than the inexpressive. Let us now turn to the meaning of each of these concepts.

Spectacle.This includes everything that attracts the eye. And the eye is mainly attracted either by something unusual, out of the framework of everyday life, or by something bright and colorful. The spectacle affects only the eyes, which is emphasized by its closeness to the word "vision". The category of spectacle includes all sorts of show programs, stuffed with a lot of special effects; movies with superheroes, a lot of fights and shooting. At the same time, this category can also include everything Which attracts a lot of attention, even if we are not talking about the eye: this includes, for example, literary works stuffed with exciting scenes, which are also disparagingly called "reading".

Increased spectacle is often used to cover up the inner emptiness of the work.

Entertainment. It is characterized by a purposeful impact on the emotional sphere, with the indispensable condition that only positive emotions are evoked. A person experiences positive emotions in everyday life, but they depend on the circumstances. In entertainment, the invocation of such emotions is artificial. They can be divided into two main types. The first one is based on such an emotional manifestation as laughter. When a person laughs, he gets rid of unneeded energy, thereby experiencing a sense of relief, which in itself is a pleasure. The basis of the second type is also the energy principle: at first this or that interest is aroused, and then it is satisfied; The emergence of interest is the emergence of energy, the satisfaction of interest is its discharge. This discharge brings more or less satisfaction, thereby evoking positive emotions. For example, at the beginning of the detective story, a person is interested: "Who is the criminal?", and at the end of the detective story, the answer to this question is given. This also includes all kinds of games, where the result is initially unpredictable, and when it becomes known, the interest is satisfied. In a word, the field of entertainment is the realm of the comedic and the interesting.

Art. In the first place, art is the realm of the sublime, while spectacle and amusement may belong to the realm of the low. At the same time, art makes an aesthetic impression, representing its highest degree, the beautiful. The beautiful is not to be confused with the beautiful: drama, comedy, and tragedy can be beautiful; A novel, a painting, a photograph, a performance by an artist can be beautiful. If "beautiful" is that whose aesthetic appeal is immediately apparent, then the beautiful is initially hidden from the superficial view, it must be able to discern it. Very often, real works of art are people originally or not They accept it, or they don't notice it, and only then, finally seeing more and more of the idea of beauty in them, do they begin to appreciate it. The effect of such works is not immediate (as in the case of entertainment or spectacle), but long-lasting, and by constantly returning to such a work, a person can discover more and more new things in it. That is why real works of art live for centuries. Man contemplates art. When he experiences its effects, he does not shout "Wow!!"

The juxtaposition of art, spectacle, and entertainment found its place in classical literature as well. The most striking example is the introductory prologue to Goethe's poem Faust. Three positions are contrasted here: that of the poet, of the director, and of the comedian. The poet craves art, the director craves spectacles, the comedian craves entertainment.

In different types of what are commonly called "art forms", there is a different potential for the interaction of art, spectacle and entertainment. In its purest form, art is perhaps represented in painting and sculpture. In photography, black and white photography undoubtedly has greater artistic potential. The color of the photograph distracts from the meaning (if there is any in it), and therefore in color Photography and spectacle begin to suppress art, and all kinds of computer graphics completely destroy it, leaving only bare spectacle. Spectacular photographs cause only a momentary effect, they cannot be enjoyed for a long time, they quickly get boring.

The genre of cinema can produce combinations of art, spectacle, and entertainment in a wide variety of variations.

The theatrical stage has very little potential for spectacle and entertainment, although attempts to make the theater a spectacular and entertaining institution have been and continue to this day. However, by its very nature, theater is for art.

A pop song, like music in general, is absolutely devoid of entertainment potential. It can be an art, when a melody expresses an idea of beauty, but it can also be a spectacle, when the viewer is attracted not by the poetry of the melody and lyrics, but by something else (noise, screeching, extravagant behavior of the performer, provocative costumes, etc.).

The genre of satire and humor, as it should be, has a great potential for entertainment. 

The term "artist" or "artist" is more appropriately applied only to those who are engaged in art, even if art is not in the foreground, but in the second or third place. But if a person specializes in pure spectacles and entertainments, devoid of art at all, then it would be more correct to call him either a "showman" or an "entertainer." Art, spectacle, and entertainment may be close, but they are still different activities, and if you have talent in one, it is difficult to be successful in the other. A true artist can never become either a showman or an entertainer. And a successful showman or entertainer is not able to create a truly artistic work – a work of art.