“It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors.” – Wilde
I mostly agree with this aphorism however, I think art can mirror both life and its spectators. For the most part, how we perceive anything is skewed by our life experiences, feelings, and biases. We view art from our own unique perspective and we all gather different ideas from art. When spectators are viewing a piece, it is up to them, and who they are as a person, as to what ideas they project upon it. At the same time, I believe that art also mirrors life because many artists draw on their own experiences to depict things that have actually happened in their lives, or in others’ lives. Artists also look to the world around them and other people for inspiration, which means that art also mirrors life.
As an example, my love for the show Gilmore Girls is definitely a reflection of me and my desires. My love for the seemingly eternal fall weather and decor in a cute little town is a reflection of my love for fall and my desire to live in a quaint little town like Sleepy Hollow. Beyond that, it shows my desire to be a part of a tight knit community of caring people. Watching this show probably also single handedly made me get through all my tough AP courses by channeling my inner Rory Gilmore. Watching this show as a 15 year old girl for the first time meant that through the many boyfriends she had, I of course preferred her with some more than others. This was a reflection of myself and my knowledge of relationships, and who I found most attractive. The use of Rory’s many boyfriends, and the many times she screws up is also an example of art mirroring life. It is the reality of many young people to go through many partners throughout their youth, and to mess up because they’re young and naive. The close relationship between Lorelai and Rory is also a reality of life that many people have. There are so many people who were raised an only child with their mother and have extremely close relationships- this is also a reflection of life.
I agree with Wilde that art is a reflection of the spectator, but I think it is also a reflection of life itself! Since spectators of art are living lives, there are many similar experiences we go through as a whole that can be portrayed in art- love, death, breakups, etc. These universal experiences can be used in art and is a reflection of life, but the way the art is perceived is a reflection of the observer.