For the uninitiated, Deidara and Sasori are characters from Naruto: Shippuden that differ in their opinions of what constitutes "what art is." I know what you're thinking, but I swear there'll be a point in all of this nonsense.
Deidara, the younger of the two partners, uses explosive jutsu, championing fleeting experiences as the ultimate form of art. Sasori, on the other hand, is a puppet master that immortalizes his victims' personage in the form of new puppets.
Throughout the series, they attempt to convince each other that their view of art is the correct way of thinking, with neither budging, as stubbornness is about the only trait that they share.
Deidara is undoubtedly the more popular of the two characters. This may be due to Sasori's lack of screen time and early death, but I think it is more nuanced than just who is seen more often. Deidara's view of fleeting experience seems to align more with the current generation's perspective on art and entertainment. Deidara is portrayed as a youthful and ambitious talent, while Sasori remains under the guise of an older man.
I wonder what factors contribute to these opposing views of art and experience. How much does age play a role in these views? If it is important, is there a specific turning point or time period that marks a change in perspective?
Ultimately, I identify more with Sasori's obsession with legacy more than Deidara's infatuation with fleeting experiences. When I identify what I'd qualify as good art, I value a piece's ability to connect with people despite the time period and social climate. No matter the medium, there are immutable emotions and experiences one can convey through art that transcends time, language, and culture. Maybe it's overly sentimental or romantic to think in this manner but currently, it is a key tenet of how I view art. Subtlety is something that I fear is becoming scarcer and scarcer as attention spans keep getting shorter due to the innumerable distractions of the modern world.
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