Response to Richard Conniff's "The Natural History of Art"

“The Natural History of Art” by Richard Conniff provides a fascinating perspective as to what fundamentally attracts humans to art. His assertion that people are generally attracted to landscapes with water, a couple trees, and wide open views is an interesting point. It would seem to me to be at the very least inoffensive to the largest number of individuals. Aside from the complaint that one too many landscapes at the local art museum drag on a bit long, they are often a safe and desirable choice particularly in public areas. While many people can disagree that a propensity towards a particular kind of landscape is in our genes, they cannot argue with a common indispensible element of suburbia: a park. The classic park has play areas for children and a couple of picnic benches and more often than not open grassy areas with trees here and there. The ideal park also has a little pond with seasonal water fowl and a few small fish or a fountain of some sort. Do these elements seem familiar or is it just my innate human sense to be attracted to a walk through the local park?

Additionally, he offers insight into why people react similarly to certain types of art. He focuses on the visual response to art and relates it to visual cues that evoke characteristic responses, such as snake skin and fear. What of body language? I have often heard much of the communication between people occurs through their body language as opposed to their actual words. A foreigner who does not know any of the local language can at least pick up on someone who looks hospitable versus hostile. I realize some of this is attributed to learned behavior, but all humans can make similar gestures such as smiling and frowning. If people have a fundamental way of understanding one another, can the same crude responses not be applied to how we initially react to art? It may be a stretch, but body language is likely not in the conscious thought of the average person just like a subconscious response to artwork.