Terry Barrett’s 17principles and 3 new principles about art interpretation seem to mostly be driven from the similar perspective to those of VTS. Because of that, they are as progressive as those of VTS. Some of them are exactly same as the major principles of VTS. I am pretty sure that Terry Barrett would consider VTS as a good example of art interpretation. Now, I would like to talk about some principles through VTS lenses.
1) Interpretations are arguments. 2) Interpretations are persuasive.
During the VTS discussion, many participants would frequently meet arguments. To prove their own interpretation is good, they need to give the reasons or casual relationship about the interpretation in order to convince others.
3) No single interpretation is exhaustive of the meaning of an artwork and there can be different, competing, and contradictory interpretations of the same artwork.
That is true. In the VTS discussion, every interpretation couldn’t be same. There must be competing or contradictory ideas and they are being influenced by one another.
4) Interpretations imply a world-view.
Yes. The participants in VTS discussion would imply their own view of the world which has been affected by experiences or perspectives.
5) Good interpretations of art tell more about the artwork than they tell about the interpreter.
According to aesthetic development theory in VTS, as the stage of participant goes up, they tend to put more emphasis on the artworks. I think “Higher level” rather than “Good” would be used in VTS discussion.
6) Feelings are guides to interpretations.
In the VTS discussion with children, feeling would be much more important since they tend to easily be interested in the artworks touching their feeling. I agree that feelings help not only young children but also all participants inspired to interpret a work of art.
7) An interpretation of an artwork need not match the artist’s intent for the artwork.
This principle coincides exactly with those of VTS. Because artists’ intention would be meaningless, there is no answer in VTS discussion.
8) All art is in part about the world in which it emerged.
Yes. Every art contain cultural contents or context. Whether understanding cultural things or not depends on the participants own cultural familiarity, knowledge or perspective.
9) To interpret a work of art is to respond to it.
Yes. VTS discussion could provide a good chance for participants to respond to a work of art. Because every art contains particular messages or questions which are shown as symbols, interpretation could absolutely be to respond to it.
10) Artworks attract multiple interpretations and it is not the goal of interpretation to arrive at single, grand, unified, composite interpretation.
VTS is open to multiple interpretations. The goal of VTS discussion is not to get a single interpretation. Even though VTS encourages the each interpretation to keep interacting but it never requires unified and composite interpretation.
YOu have addressed Barrett's principles very thoroughly! I particularly liked your assertion that "... I think “Higher level” rather than “Good” would be used in VTS discussion." When you subsitute Barrett's word "good" with "higher level," it makes the statement not only more accurate, but less evaluative which could cause some to dismiss it as personal bias. Great job!
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