A Note on Donna Seaman

books critic, Booklist & WLUW’s Open Books

Donna Seaman is passionate about what she does; she’s in it for life and she’d do it for free. In a recent round-table on the construction of effective arts criticism and the future of the professional critic, Seaman, a critic for Booklist, details why this is the life for her.

“Passion first and foremost.” Seaman says that this is the crucial ingredient in the recipe for a good critic. The impulse to deconstruct a piece of art is an irresistible urge. Rather than just listening to a song or reading a book, the true critics are compelled to ask themselves, “What does it all mean?” Seaman paints arts criticism in the colors of vocation, rather than mere occupation. These are people who experience their art on a higher level than the rank and file. Even more importantly, true critics have the urge to advocate. They are the zealots, the diehards, and the true believers without whom the dark and dusty corners of the art world would remain dark and dusty. They are the pioneers; they blaze the trails for listening and reading and watching new artists. Why are they able to influence the public’s taste? Seaman explains that, a critic has to be able to imagine many responses, and see the experience in a greater context.”

Passion and self-awareness will lead the true critic to self-education and expertise. Passion for the art will drive the critic to ongoing education, whether formal or informal. This allows one to write with a voice of authority that builds a relationship of trust between critic and reader. Seaman is unequivocal in her assertion that the critic has a responsibility to the reader, to write with integrity and honesty. “When you slam something, you have to be sharp and precise.” In other words, back it up with specific examples. Seaman seems to respect her readers, saying that she hopes they like to be pushed. She is not insular in her approach to her work. She reads the work of her peers, both those she agrees with and those who challenge her. She approaches her work from as global a perspective as one can, when the job is to deliver personal opinions. She says that she is “always hoping for clarity.” Donna Seaman is a critic who cares about her readers, is considerate of them and appreciates the fact that they seek out her perspective.

On the future of professional criticism, Seaman seems as bemused as the rest of the panel. Without the art of editing, online criticism is in danger of losing a good deal of precision of language, not to mention quality of writing. However, it does offer critics the possibility of a more intimate relationship with their readers, as well as offering new critics an open and immediate venue for their work. In the end, Seaman, along with her fellow panelists, agree that, for them, the mantle of critic is one that they will wear as long as there is art to be reviewed.