Chapter 1

I do not know whom I most identify with as far as a critic from the book; I do like Morris Weitz definition of criticism though. Morris Weitz defines criticism as " a form of studied discourse about works of art. It is a use of language designed to facilitate and enrich the understanding of art." (Criticizing Photographs: An introduction to understanding images, Fifth Edition. Pg. 3)
This definition of criticism is the way I feel about a critic or how you should critic something. First you need to study the field in which the work is created, as well as the piece of art created. Then you have to be able to use a language to voice your opinions and questions in a manner that ultimately enriched either the piece of art or the artist. This doesn't mean it cannot be critical and disagreeable, it only means that it should be constructive and beneficial to both the viewers and the artist.
I believe that a critic can successfully critique the work of someone whom they have an intimate relationship with. I believe we all have different levels of intimacy and depending on that intimacy it can be either harder or easier to give a successful critique. The more intimate we become with the person we are trying to critic the more our emotions for that individual may get in the way of giving our true opinions, yet if we are honest with those other people we can give a true honest critique.
"In criticizing an art object for a reader or viewer, critics must struggle to translate their complex jumble of thoughts and feelings about art into words that can be understood first by themselves and then by others." (Criticizing Photographs: An introduction to understanding images, Fifth Edition. Pg. 15) I believe that this statement defines why there is value in criticism. The longer we study another artists work and formulate our own ways of expressing our likes and dislikes about those works it helps us to better define our own works bringing not only the others we critic but ourselves to the next level of understanding and ability. "Viewers who consider art in the way a critic would consider it will likely increase their own understanding and appreciation of art - that is the goal and the reward." (Criticizing Photographs: An introduction to understanding images, Fifth Edition. Pg. 15)