What distinction can be made between high and low art in popular culture and our everyday lives?
'Secret Languages' written and presented by Joe McArdle examines how many of us are dominated by man made conventions and self imposed rules. Actor Charlie Roberts recites from Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘In the Neolithic Age’ which concludes there is no right or wrong in literary efforts.
Many people fear they are not speaking correctly, but a newsreader may not speak any better than the man on the street. This is exemplified by Pat Kenny who reads a fake news bulletin followed by RTÉ Radio 2 DJ Jimmy Greeley playing requests for listeners during his radio show.
There is no one standard language, there are only dialects. Joe McArdle applies the same theory to culture and says,
There is no standard culture or artistic language, there are only dialects.
Bad taste is good taste for some, they are just using a different dialect.
Taste can influence criticism and appreciation and taste is as slippery as mercury, as elusive as a butterfly and as changeable as the Irish weather.
What is now considered popular or poor taste was often seen as good taste.
Today’s popular or poor taste was very often yesterday’s good taste and today’s low brow was often yesterday’s high brow.
Class distinction is the reason why things go from being in or out. An elite group decides what hangs in galleries and they have aesthetic, commercial and social reasons behind their choices.
‘Secret Languages: All I Want To Do Is Dream’ was broadcast on 16 February 1982.
