Ambiguity as Hospitality in Art

A lecture given at L’Abri Fellowship in Southborough,
Massachusetts. For more information,
visit https://southboroughlabri.org/


by Ben Keyes


The most moving and powerful art usually does not tell us exactly
what to think. Many of the best paintings, songs, poems and short
stories leave us with questions that linger in our minds. This
does not necessarily indicate that these works have no intended
meaning. Rather, the artist, by leaving our questions unanswered
and requiring our engagement, has left us room to enter into
their creative space. Because it "leaves room," ambiguity in art
can function as a kind of hospitality to the audience. How can we
make art that leaves more room for our viewers and listeners?
What are some of our misgivings about allowing a piece to remain
ambiguous?


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Southborough L'Abri 2023