Joanie

Very well put! The lessons and objectives are different... perhaps we could think of them as "learning critiques" and "after-the-fact critiques".

As Red Pine queries, should we listen to the one, or the many? Maybe it depends upon your ultimate goal. If your goal is to sell movie tickets, or electronic equipment, you must listen to the many. They are the ones who will be laying down their money. If you are trying to make collectibles, as I do for a living, you need to blend the two. Listening to the many (because they buy the product) is crucial, but you must also try to achieve the best product each time. Even though the many will buy products that aren't perfect, you should still try to improve each time to enhance the product and to raise the standard. If you are an Art critic, you have a different goal entirely. Perhaps you sell books or write museum text... then you must satisfy your peers that you know what you are talking about. But you are not trying to teach the artists themselves, they won't come in and repaint the work because of your critique. Your audience and goals are different.

Joanie

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