Aristotle wrote “A great drama evokes a catharsis of emption.” I would extend that to great art in general. For those who have seen the Disney film “Up!” remember the opening scenes. Here is a short film about the lateral tracking shot; you will see how it is used to evoke strong emption in Up!. Up! evokes strong emotion in the opening scenes and there are no words. I do not think you have to understand English to understand the opening scenes. I contend that great art transcends language. Here is one example of that:
Do you need a specific language to understand the picture above? Haven’t we all experienced grief so large that it felt as if our stomach was gone?
This sculpture was at Burning Man and I don’t think we need an extensive explanation to understand and feel what the artist is trying to convey. Certainly there is art where you need a background or context. Much religious art is of that nature.
Chance Musings 