Ancient temple, Cambodia, photo by Marie-Claire Holmes
In a 1980 interview with Le Monde, Paris, the French philosopher Michel Foucalt declared: "I dream about a kind of criticism that would try not to judge but to bring an oeuvre, a book, a sentence, an idea to life; it would light fires, watch the grass grow, listen to the wind, and catch the sea foam in the breeze and scatter it. It would multiply not judgments but signs of existence; it would summon them, drag them from their sleep. Perhaps it would invent them sometimes -- all the better."
"Criticism that hands down sentences sends me to sleep; I'd like a criticism of scintillating leaps of imagination. It would not be sovereign or dressed in red. It would bear the lightning of possible storms."
I keep returning to this and hope that perhaps you have a link to the entire article.
Posted by: Princess Haiku | 01 March 2007 at 08:59
This comment elevates criticism to its own art form doesn't it?
Posted by: Princess Haiku | 01 March 2007 at 08:57
How incredibly poetic - and yes - how much more constructive would that kind of criticism be?
Posted by: tinker | 23 February 2007 at 00:13
Foucault turns criticism on its head. Has he written anything like he's described?
Posted by: tut-tut | 22 February 2007 at 11:59
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Posted by: Vanessa | 22 February 2007 at 05:50
Well, I'm thinking that someone first needs to change the definition of criticism from only unfavorable so that we can use it for these thoughts. Maybe critique? Could be favorable thoughts there....or not. But what do I know compared to a philosopher!!
I agree with you about Dub-ya (my blog post)
Posted by: artzyjudie | 21 February 2007 at 23:04
Hi Tara, just stopping by to say hi. :) See you for PT.
Posted by: Brian | 21 February 2007 at 21:58
"It would bear the lightening of possible storms" - gorgeous.
LOVE it!
Posted by: sophie | 21 February 2007 at 21:26
"It would bear the lightening of possible storms" - gorgeous.
LOVE it!
Posted by: sophie | 21 February 2007 at 21:26
"Lightening of possible storms" Yes! HUGS
Posted by: Tammy | 21 February 2007 at 20:48
The temple wall is so amazing.
And the words about critisism are so wise and true. Teaching me an important lesson today.
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 21 February 2007 at 20:15
"Criticism that hands down sentences sends me to sleep; I'd like a criticism of scintillating leaps of imagination. It would not be sovereign or dressed in red. It would bear the lightning of possible storms."
Some politians should heed this!
Love your blog!
Posted by: Flights of Fab Fashion Fancy | 21 February 2007 at 19:19
Yes.
My experience (in movies, for example) is that if the critics blast it, I'm probably going to enjoy it.
Posted by: Colette | 21 February 2007 at 18:27
Great quote. I like the idea of a new kind of criticism. I had a mentor some years ago who could offer a critique in a way that felt supportive and did not make me feel defensive. That is a real gift she had.
Posted by: sarala | 21 February 2007 at 17:24
Wow, Tara- if only...
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 21 February 2007 at 16:40
i like your blog very much, special all the posts about your flea markeds finds!
Greetings from a Norwegian girl who lives in The Netherlands
Posted by: Aina | 21 February 2007 at 15:58
Blessings to you my lovely friend.
I enjoy everything!
Posted by: Jeanne | 21 February 2007 at 14:35