Different artistic tastes can be more than just a source of frustration – they can lead to disagreements, tensions and even severe relationships with your close ones. This is quite sensitive territory, particularly for those who love art in all its forms but have very specific preferences and aren’t open to different perspectives.
Although there are certain general standards that can serve as an indication of what counts as good aesthetic taste, when two individuals have opposing views on art, it doesn’t mean that one is right and the other one is wrong or that they should try to persuade each other and impose their opinions and beliefs. As Shakespeare famously said, “for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”. It’s our personal interpretations that give (or take away) value to all that surrounds us, art included.
One should never forget that art is a very subjective and personal experience deriving from the sum of our perceptions and our unique characteristics. People who come from different cultural backgrounds and don’t have much in common are bound to enjoy and interact with art differently. They can look at the same painting and have completely different reactions because of how their brains decipher what they see. And so, pieces that tug at your heart and elicit strong emotions might leave another completely indifferent.
But when you share your workspace, your home or even your life with a person who seems to be at the opposite pole in terms of style preferences, how can you prevent these divergences from affecting your relationship? Just as with art, there is no prescription that can work the same for everyone, but there are a few strategies that can prove helpful in settling artistic differences.
Discuss your differences
It can be difficult to start a conversation with someone about a subject that you don’t see eye to eye on. You might not feel comfortable voicing your opinions or you might be afraid that you could unintentionally hurt the other person’s feelings by expressing contrasting views on matters that are deeply personal.
Although these are not the most pleasant conversations, and you’d probably be happy to avoid them, they are quite necessary and useful. You’re much more likely to find common ground if you both talk openly about your personal tastes and share your likes and dislikes than you would by hiding your true feelings. Communication is key to solving all kinds of problems, be they of artistic nature or not. Whether it’s the paintings hanging on your walls, the design style in the living room, your shared office’s layout or the music playing in the background, being honest about your inclinations and preferences will benefit everyone.
Agree to disagree
So, you’ve talked about your artistic inclinations, and you’ve realized that you couldn’t be more different. One likes contemporary art, edgy designs, innovation and experimentation, while the other is deeply in love with the classics and enjoys the timeless appeal of traditions.
In this case, there’s nothing left to do but accept that neither of you is going to influence or change the other one’s mind and learn to respect your differences. It’s certainly not the end of the world if you don’t appreciate the same design aesthetics, and it wouldn’t kill any of you if you made a few compromises for the sake of maintaining good relations and a peaceful atmosphere. A bit of diplomacy wouldn’t hurt either.
Team up
Just because your tastes in art differ doesn’t mean you can’t collaborate. In fact, combining your artistic visions and mixing and matching artworks from varying currents and styles can lead to some very interesting results.
You can join forces and visit art galleries and exhibitions, search for paintings for sale online or even try your hand at creating art together. This can be a fun and lighthearted way to learn more about each other’s tastes and interests and work as a team when deciding on the colors, patterns, artworks and other elements that you’re going to surround yourself with. An eclectic blend of styles is sometimes much more interesting and captivating than following a single theme or aesthetic and will cater to your unique likings.
Take turns
Sometimes, being a bit methodical is the best solution to tackle this dilemma. For example, if you and your partner or friend are looking to decorate your home or choose new art pieces for your common space, you can take turns when buying items.
You may take things one step further and establish an art-buying schedule so you’ll know exactly whose turn it is to buy art and avoid any arguments in this regard. This will allow you to fill your place with pieces that you both enjoy and create spaces that reflect your contrasting styles and personalities in a fair and equitable manner.
Allow yourself to explore and experiment
When you’ve adhered to a certain style or aesthetic for a long time, you can get stuck in your way of thinking and lose the ability to appreciate things that don’t match your vision. Well, it might be high time to step out of your comfort zone and try to look at things through a different lens.
Instead of looking at artistic differences as a hindrance, think of it as an opportunity to broaden your horizons and discover new works of art, artists, concepts and mediums that might otherwise remain unknown to you. Keep an open mind and feel free to explore all types of art, even those that you don’t feel an instant connection to.
Differences are meant to be celebrated and appreciated, not stifled and evened out. Imagine a world where everyone thinks and feels the same and enjoys the exact same things. There would be no room for creativity, innovation or progress. So, art, in its infinite diversity, should be seen as a source of endless joy and inspiration.
