In the essay Against Interpretation, Susan Sontag argues that in the new critical approach art is challenged to justify itself. She stated that the spiritual importance of art is being replaced by the emphasis on the intellect. It made me think about how I truly look at art myself. Art makes people wonder what is the true meaning behind the piece and to figure out what exactly it is they are looking at. By reading this article, Susan Sontag made her readers more knowledgeable about understanding what to do when they approach a piece of work. She described how art critics were taking their powers for granted and focusing on their own constructed views of form and content of the piece of art. I like how she said that ‘interpretation became the intellect’s revenge upon art.’ I feel like before reading this article that is how I felt I was interpreting certain artworks. I would put my insight into one thing without taking a step back and actually looking at it with my senses. Rather than recognizing great works I would often come to a conclusion immediately and move on. I found this essay really interesting and from now on I am going to try to interpret art in a totally different mind frame.

--Jessica