Response to Kaylie's Blog: Are We Kidding Ourselves?

This is a response to Kaylie Sweet's blog.
In Kaylie's blog, she asked the question if there is a possibility that we are all just kidding ourselves in thinking we understand art and what the creator was thinking at the time. She asked if we have the mental capability and prowess to be able to dig that deep simply by reading or looking at a piece of artwork. I believe the answer is no. We are no mind readers and we certainly do not have the connections or the time traveling abilities to ask the great artists and poets exactly what they meant by each stroke or word. We are completely kidding ourselves to think that with enough intelligence or “deepness” that we can dig deep enough and know, simply know. As Kaylie said, I think this is one of art’s many appeals, that we cannot fully understand it; the fact that we can stand in front of a painting for hours on end and still not comprehend the innumerable meanings and inferences. Also, we enjoy the fact that one person’s interpretation could be completely different from our own and still have validity and a basis. This, however, is also where art frustrates us the most and the fact that we would like to think that we can understand it. As humans, we believe or sincerely hope that nothing in this world is beyond or grasp of knowledge and competence. So, this is when we stand in front of the painting spouting words of wisdom and lofty interpretations. We say what the artist was thinking and what they meant by each brushstroke but, I think, we all know we do not know what we are talking about, that this is just another tool and trick to make ourselves seem better and superior to the rest of humankind. But why must we look for meaning, rules, and intentions. Can we not just enjoy the painting or creation for its sheer beauty and for the reason it might actually evoke an emotion inside us?