The phrase "art at cross purposes" refers to a situation where different artistic expressions or intentions are conflicting or incongruent with each other, resulting in a lack of harmony or unity. This term is often used to describe a scenario where artists, either within a collective or individually, have divergent objectives or artistic visions that hinder the cohesiveness and coherence of their work.
In such a context, artists may unknowingly or intentionally pursue opposing artistic goals, leading to conflicting themes, styles, or messages within a shared project or artistic community. This clash of purposes can cause confusion, dissonance, and a lack of fluidity in the overall artistic outcome. It prevents the full realization of the intended artistic statement or obscures the intended communication from reaching the audience.
Furthermore, "art at cross purposes" can also refer to an individual artist's struggle in reconciling their own different artistic desires or conflicting motivations. This internal conflict may stem from having contrasting creative ideas, personal inspirations, or multiple objectives in mind. As a result, their artwork may lack coherence or clarity and fail to convey a clear artistic message.
Overall, the concept of "art at cross purposes" emphasizes the importance of unity and coherence in artistic endeavors, highlighting the negative consequences when different artistic intentions clash, resulting in discordance rather than a harmonious artistic expression.
