“Pollock's style is a cancer on the art world It eats away at its creative minds and leads them down the dark path of profit-oriented art.” This is the opening to one of the paragraphs in the article, and what this indicates is high-priced abstract artworks, such as Pollock’s works will subconsciously lead upcoming artists to shift to abstract art, instead of harnessing skills and techniques. The “dark parth of profit-oriented art” is in regard to abstract art as Ben Cohen calls Pollock’s work “paint-storms flooded the market and choked off true innovation. He made producing thoughtless, low-effort art profitable” He claims the “abstract” path is profit-oriented as it’s very “thoughtless and low-effort”, and since there are large multitudes of artists who want to focus on profit, they’ll go down this path. I feel that Ben Cohen has the right ideologies but presents them in a very harsh way, possibly offending a lot of people, I feel that criticizing Jackson Pollock wasn’t the way to go about this, because at the time abstract art wasn’t the “craze” and Pollock wanted to try something new, he’s one of the leading members of the abstract movement, I feel that Cohen should’ve talked more about new artists who make artworks similar to Pollock’s work solely for profit and how this is a general pattern that's starting.

Moreover, Cohan’s distaste towards Pollock’s work can be extensively noticed in the descriptions of No.5. For instance, “kaleidoscopic vomit”, “Pollock’s style of painting is a cancer on the art world” and many more might influence the way the viewers begin to perceive Pollock’s work due to the heavy disgust showered on the artwork which influences the viewer’s opinions. In addition, I believe that even after reading Cohan’s work I was slightly persuaded to change my artistic opinion regarding Pollock’s work. However, being an art enthusiast and having studied art in depth for the last two years, my interpretation of the artwork was not affected. Nevertheless, for individuals who did not have prior knowledge of art, this commentary might significantly influence their opinion of Pollock’s work. 

When I looked at the artwork it did not come across as “kaleidoscopic vomit” or the disgusted feeling said in the article and I though the quite opposite. Though after reading the article I understood that it wasn’t made because it was easy or for money but because he wanted to make something different from other artists. Since the artwork is very subjective and we all have different perspectives and it varies. 

Salvador Dali was a prominent Spanish artist who is known for his distinctive surrealist style that challenged traditional concepts of art. Born in 1904 in Catalonia, Spain, Dali was deeply influenced by the work of the Surrealist movement, which aimed to explore the subconscious mind and challenge established norms and conventions. 

His art often featured dreamlike, bizarre images that juxtaposed seemingly unrelated objects and ideas. Dali was also known for his eccentric personality and flamboyant behavior, which often attracted as much attention as his artwork. Throughout his career, Dali created a diverse body of work that includes paintings, sculptures, and films. Despite his controversial reputation, Dali remains one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, and his contributions to the Surrealist movement continue to inspire and challenge artists and viewers alike.

From a surrealist perspective, Dali's painting explores the subconscious mind and challenges conventional notions of reality. The melting clocks, draped across various objects in a barren landscape, suggest the fluidity and distortion of time. The soft, dreamlike quality of the scene invites viewers to delve into their own subconscious and embrace the irrational and fantastical aspects of the human psyche.

In terms of symbolism and perception, the inclusion of insects, such as ants crawling on the pocket watch, may symbolize decay and the inevitability of death. The deserted landscape and absence of human presence further emphasize a sense of isolation and introspection.

"The Persistence of Memory" has been interpreted as a visual representation of Dali's own anxieties and fears. The melting clocks can be seen as symbols of the passage of time slipping away, while the barren landscape and deserted tree evoke a sense of desolation and decay. The surreal juxtaposition of these elements may reflect the artist's apprehension about the transitory nature of existence and the relentless march of time. 

The interpretation of Rene Magritte, a well renowned artist, suggested that Dali's melting watches could be understood as a critique of the way time is depicted in traditional art. 
Magritte believed that time was not fluid but rather rigid and precise, contrasting with Dali's portrayal. He argued that Dali's melting clocks were a playful, yet subversive, representation of time's instability and the limitations of traditional artistic conventions.

https://mymodernmet.com/the-persistence-of-memory-salvador-dali/

The label "Age of Enlightenment" emerged in the 18th century, as a way of describing the intellectual and cultural movements that emerged in Europe during this time. It was a period marked by a belief in the power of reason and scientific inquiry, as well as a rejection of traditional sources of authority, such as religion. Philosophers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Kant championed the importance of individual freedom, human rights, and the pursuit of knowledge for the betterment of society.

While this label is useful for organising historical events and tracing the evolution of ideas during this period, it also constrains our understanding of the complexity and diversity of the intellectual and social changes that occurred during this time. The "Age of Enlightenment" label tends to emphasise a set of ideas and thinkers, overlooking the diversity of perspectives and debates that were characterised during this period. Furthermore, the "Age of Enlightenment" label tends to overlook the significant contributions of women, whose ideas and perspectives were often criticised and belittled (during this period). 

To fully appreciate and understand art, it is essential to go beyond labels and engage with artworks on an individual level. Embracing a more open and inclusive approach allows for a deeper exploration of the artist's intent and the personal interpretation of the viewer. It encourages us to appreciate the richness and diversity of artistic expressions without confining them to labels