Art with a Purpose, eh?

I agree with much of what you say, Steve S - with one caveat. I do think that the creative impulse and purpose from within an artist can't always be explained, even by the artist him/herself, and there might not be a "goal" as such.

I don't think artists are always motivated by the desire to communicate, though they must be motivated to create, otherwise there wouldn't be any art. Whether they create for an audience or not is down to them, and I suppose you could say that, if it's not intended to be clear then it shouldn't be laid in front of the public. But that's a vexed question when, as we all know, one man's meat, etc...

I'm always reminded of "Ulysses" and "Finegan's Wake" when these debates arise. Read 'em and be enthralled? Read 'em and weep? Depends on your taste.