Two circles and a square
I've never particularly cared for critics, both the official and unofficial ones. Unfortunately, the society we're living in today is full of those who like to impose their opinion on something or someone, regardless of their knowledge, experience, or expertise. Of course, the Internet and social networks are the main culprits. Finally, it is always easier to criticize someone else instead of yourself. My great-aunt used to say: "Ajte vi". In translation, this roughly means: "Try to do better and then talk". I'm thinking about this more and more.
Pursuing art and creative work is often accompanied by pain and frustration. I have once read an interesting thought which I will try to paraphrase. It says: "While most people are climbing a more or less tall ladder during their lives, artists are trying to tackle a bare rock without a rope." In other words, it is hard enough as it is, and it is very easy to lose confidence and morale. This can be easily upset by the opinions of others. Some will say that critique isn't necessarily a bad thing and they're right to a certain degree. However, everything should be taken cum grano salis. Behind negative opinions, there is often malice, envy, or arrogance.
An adage says that tastes shouldn't be discussed. Everyone is entitled to build their taste, even the bad taste. Although history has brought certain standards that "dictate" what is considered as good and desirable, the perception of art is still highly a subjective matter. It is very difficult to abstain from imposing your taste and opinion in the process, without being stuck in a web of hypocrisy. It is equally difficult to completely ignore popular opinions, regardless of how confident you are.
I have never understood the concept of a professional critic, both from the standpoint of an art lover and a person trying to pursue art. It's hard for me to comprehend that some people are getting paid for shaking and potentially crashing down someone's else dreams. Art and music critics may have all degrees in the world, experience, and reputation, but after all, they are not artists themselves. So they just can't adequately judge how much effort, sacrifice, love, and passion went into a particular work of art.
My late grandfather was a very talented and passionate painter. He left behind several hundreds of works, mainly landscapes and still-life paintings. Although he wasn't formally trained, he had several individual exhibitions, and one of his works was actually presented to Marshall Tito. There were a few who hadn't noticed his paintings while visiting our family homes, which nowadays house most of them. But if by chance some acclaimed expert had seen Grandpa’s paintings, they would probably deem them worthless. That same person would proclaim a picture that features two circles and a square as groundbreaking and epochal if it was painted by some famous hotshot. See what I'm trying to say?
The world of art is sadly full of elitism and snobbery. I never have nor I will allow some bad review to shake my perception and vision when it comes to music, film, and art in general. I'm quite confident in my taste and knowledge of art. I don't follow trends or popular opinions, unlike the majority of people that I know or have heard about. I don't believe that mass popularity is always an indication of quality or something that is attention-worthy.
I believe, though, that every person can feel the love that a certain artist had poured into his or her art if there was love in the first place. Therefore, art should be enjoyed and judged alone, without intermediaries.