Highbrow or Lowbrow... Both!

There always seems to be a preoccupation with distinguishing and ranking things, particularly when it comes to culture and the arts. This idea that some things are more worthy of our time, the high arts, the highbrow subjects, and then, on the other hand, the equivalent of junk food, the low art and lowbrow. I propose that both are worthy of our time and attention because both represent a part of life. No matter how much we try, we are a mix of things, and it is our unique mixtures that make us wildly interesting. There isn’t a person alive or dead who was one-dimensional.

While some people proudly boast of their exquisite tastes and deride popular art or music, others shun what they perceive as elitist and turn their backs on it in return. Wouldn’t it be lovely to see the best in both, to be inspired by both, and appreciate them equally? To hold space for the elevated and the common without placing more value on one than the other.

First, we have to define for ourselves, or at least I will define for us here, what highbrow and high art mean and whether these differ. I will do the same for lowbrow and low art. The terms "highbrow" and "lowbrow" originate from pseudoscientific ideas from the 19th century that linked intellectual capacity to the shape of the skull, a concept rooted in phrenology. Within this pseudoscience, it was thought that people with higher foreheads or "brows" (reflecting a larger frontal lobe) were more intelligent or cultured. Thus, the term "highbrow" became associated with intellectualism, sophistication, and higher social status. Conversely, "lowbrow" referred to those with supposedly lower foreheads, implying lesser intellectual capacity and a focus on more base, less refined cultural interests. Over time, "lowbrow" came to denote something more vulgar, less cultured, or simplistic. We have already started off on shaky territory because phrenology has been completely debunked and linked to historical injustices, colonial justification, racial and cultural stereotypes, and the eugenics movement. Yikes!

The terms "highbrow" and "lowbrow" persist in modern language to describe cultural tastes, with "highbrow" associated with intellectual or elite culture, such as opera, classical music, and literature, and "lowbrow" with more popular or accessible culture, such as reality TV and pop music. High art refers to cultural products that are considered to have superior aesthetic value, sophistication, and intellectual depth. It is often associated with traditional forms of fine art. High art is typically seen as refined, serious, and created with a high level of skill. It is often produced for “educated or elite audiences” and is appreciated for its complex techniques, innovative ideas, and profound themes. Historically, high art was patronized by the elite, such as royalty, the church, and the wealthy, and was often funded by commissions or through institutions like museums and galleries. Examples include classical music, opera, ballet, classical literature, fine arts like painting and sculpture, and certain forms of theater and film.

Low art encompasses cultural products that are considered more accessible, entertaining, and commercially driven. It is often associated with popular culture and mass entertainment. Low art is generally more informal, aimed at a broad audience, and often prioritizes entertainment value over intellectual depth. It can be characterized by its straightforwardness, appeal to popular tastes, and widespread consumption. Low art has traditionally been seen as the culture of the common people, produced for and consumed by “the masses”. It has often been commercialized and driven by market demand. Examples include popular music, comic books, cartoons, street art, genre fiction (like romance or science fiction), television shows, and mainstream movies.

In contemporary society, the distinction between high art and low art has become increasingly blurred and has evolved to some extent. Factors contributing to this include cultural shifts that have driven changes in attitudes toward what is considered valuable or worthy. The rise of digital media and the internet has democratized art, making it easier for all forms of art to reach wide audiences and gain recognition. While the terms "high art" and "low art" still exist, the value and importance of both are now more widely recognized and appreciated. Many modern artists have incorporated elements of both high and low art in their work, challenging traditional boundaries. This highlights that art is made up of the profound themes as well as the straightforward common matters that make up our lives.

The art world, across almost any medium, is still quite exclusive. Although some artists have worked hard to pry the doors open and even place a doorstop to let more people in, they remain difficult to get through. Is this exclusivity by design? Maybe. It is a fact that many people who get little or no exposure to the arts are the more marginalized in our society, the people with the least resources, and mostly black and brown people, at least in this country. The ever-shrinking cultural education in public school systems definitely doesn't help this situation at all. 

It may be that before, exclusivity kept people of certain backgrounds and purchasing power at bay, but now it seems that there is a stress to keep people disengaged from the arts so they might not learn to think and imagine a different world. Art broadens understanding and appreciation of different cultures and perspectives. It allows people to experience and understand others' feelings and experiences. Analyzing art helps people develop skills in observation, interpretation, and analysis. Discussing and creating art improves verbal and non-verbal communication. These benefits don’t exist exclusively when listening to Bach or discussing Rothko with someone. You could find incredibly valuable ideas in discussing the illustrations in a comic book, or reflect on the story it shares, talk about the lyrics in Bruce Springsteen’s songs or Tupac's songs. They may be a part of popular culture, but they are invaluable in expressing life in a certain time and place. They connect us to that life and make us think about our life and our contexts in new ways. 

One of the most interesting aspects of this idea of the high and low arts, is that the artists who have made these elevated high art pieces, which are undoubtedly works of genius, often come from people who hold in themselves both the high and the low. For example, William Shakespeare, arguably the most famous writer in the world and a curriculum staple. His influence extends beyond literature to impact popular culture, philosophy, and even modern storytelling techniques. He was one who didn’t shy away from including the reality of life in his work, even then. Take a look at Shakespeare’s slightly naughty Sonnet 151:

"Love is too young to know what conscience is;
Yet who knows not conscience is born of love?
Then, gentle cheater, urge not my amiss,
Lest guilty of my faults thy sweet self prove.
For, thou betraying me, I do betray
My nobler part to my gross body's treason;
My soul doth tell my body that he may
Triumph in love; flesh stays no farther reason,
But rising at thy name doth point out thee
As his triumphant prize. Proud of this pride,
He is contented thy poor drudge to be,
To stand in thy affairs, fall by thy side.
No want of conscience hold it that I call
Her 'love' for whose dear love I rise and fall."

Yes, William Shakespeare often incorporated bawdy humor and innuendo into his plays and sonnets. His works are known for their clever wordplay, double entendres, and sexual references, which added humor and relatability to his characters and stories. In his plays like "Romeo and Juliet," Mercutio is known particularly for his bawdy humor:

"O, then, I see Queen Mab hath been with you. She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes in shape no bigger than an agate stone..."

In "Twelfth Night," Sir Toby Belch also uses humor:

"Out o' time, sir? Ye lie. Art any more than a steward? Dost thou think, because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?"

"Much Ado About Nothing" is filled with sexual innuendo. Shakespeare's use of this "lowbrow" humor helped make his works appealing to a wide audience, from the common folk to the nobility, and added layers of meaning.

The epitome of how “high and low” can coexist and inform each other is exemplified by Mozart. There is a song attributed to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the legendary musical prodigy, called “Leck mich im Arsch,” which translates to "Lick me in the a**." It is one of several humorous and bawdy canons that Mozart composed. These reflect his playful and irreverent sense of humor and his manner of making art. The piece was written around 1782, and what is more interesting is that such humor was not uncommon in private or less formal compositions of the era... The Classical Era! Its lyrics are quite simple:

"Leck mich im Arsch!
Leck mich im Arsch!
Leck mich, leck mich,
Leck mich im Arsch!"

There does exist a more sanitized version of this song, with different lyrics but the same melody, known as "Laßt froh uns sein" (Let us be glad). These playful and somewhat crude works showcase a side of the composer that contrasts with his more serious and sublime works, and yet these sides coexist.

So why not take the time to explore profound themes, intricate techniques, and sophisticated ideas? Engaging with art can stimulate deep thinking and elevate one's creative life. Celebrate art that is more accessible and relatable to a broader audience. Drawing inspiration from it can inspire creative freedom and innovation. Appreciate the elements of high art that lend a sense of refinement and cultural prestige and feel the joy of art that embraces experimentation, humor, and playfulness. This synthesis can push boundaries and create new forms of artistic expression. Engaging with both types of art fosters a holistic understanding of culture and society. It highlights the interconnectedness of different cultural expressions and the value in each. By embracing the richness of both highbrow and lowbrow sources, we can cultivate a more dynamic and inclusive approach when engaging with the arts, leading to a more vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape.