Art is like baby shoes. When you coat them with gold, they can no

Opening Scene

The room is softly lit by the warm glow of a table lamp, casting soft shadows as the evening begins to settle in. Outside, the city’s hum has quieted, and the night feels calm. Jack sits at the table, his thoughts seemingly focused on something in front of him, while Jeeny stands near the window, gazing out at the view below. The atmosphere is quiet, but there's a sense that a conversation about art, its value, and its purity is about to unfold.

Host: After a few moments of silence, Jeeny turns from the window, her voice calm but filled with thought, breaking the stillness.

Jeeny: “I came across a quote by John Updike that really got me thinking. He said, ‘Art is like baby shoes. When you coat them with gold, they can no longer be worn.’ It made me reflect on the idea that art, when it’s too over-polished, over-idealized, or too focused on being seen as valuable, can lose its authenticity. What do you think about that? How does the process of elevating or commodifying art affect its original essence?”

Jack: “I think Updike is pointing to something really profound. The idea of coating something as simple as baby shoes in gold is essentially about changing its function. Baby shoes, in their original form, are made to be worn — they have a practical purpose. But once you cover them with gold, they become more about appearance, value, or status than about function. Art is similar in that when we over-beautify or commodify it, we can lose touch with its original purpose. Art isn’t meant to just be admired or placed on a pedestal; it’s meant to express something, to communicate, to provoke thought, or even to be experienced in a personal, intimate way.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. And I think that’s why art sometimes suffers when it’s treated as an object rather than an experience. When we start placing art in galleries, putting it in frames, or treating it as something precious, we might unintentionally strip it of its rawness, its ability to move us in unexpected ways. The gold coating is like an attempt to turn it into something perfect or untouchable, but in doing so, we miss out on its true essence — the honesty, the expression, and the vulnerability behind the creation. Art is about connection, and when it becomes too exalted, we can lose the personal connection to it.”

Jack: “Right, it’s about the purity of the expression. Art is meant to be alive and fluid — it’s a reflection of the artist’s raw emotions, thoughts, and experiences. When it gets wrapped in gold, it becomes something to be admired from a distance. The simplicity of a piece of art often carries its deepest meaning. And when you over-polish it, it can lose that depth, that ability to connect with people in an authentic way. Art should be relatable, something that people can experience and see themselves in, rather than just something that exists to be admired from afar.”

Host: The conversation deepens, and Jeeny moves closer, sitting down across from Jack. Her voice steady as she continues.

Jeeny: “And I think that’s why art often feels more genuine when it’s unrefined or raw. It’s like when an artist first starts creating — they don’t worry about whether their work will be accepted or admired. They just create. The moment art becomes about status or prestige, it can lose its heart. It’s no longer about the expression itself but about what others see in it. And in that process, we risk taking away the vulnerability that makes art so powerful in the first place.”

Jack: “Exactly. There’s a fine balance. Art that’s polished or packaged too perfectly might lose the imperfections that make it human and relatable. The rough edges, the rawness — those are often the things that connect us to the artist. It’s what makes us feel like we’re looking at a piece of someone’s soul, not just a product meant for admiration. And I think Updike is really making that point — that once art becomes something to be revered, it stops serving its true function of being alive and accessible.”

Jeeny: “And that’s the beauty of art — its power lies in its imperfection. Art is a reflection of the human experience, which is messy and full of contradictions. If we coat it with gold, we take away that rawness and the opportunity to engage with it in a meaningful, authentic way. It’s not about perfection; it’s about expression. It’s about finding truth in the messy parts of life, not just the shiny ones.”

Jack: “Absolutely. The shine of gold might make something look valuable, but it can also distance it from its true worth. Art’s value doesn’t come from how polished it is; it comes from the truth it reveals and the emotional reaction it evokes. That’s what makes art truly valuable — its ability to move us, to provoke thought, to make us feel something real.”

Host: The room quiets for a moment as they reflect on the deeper meaning behind Updike’s words. Outside, the world continues, but inside, Jack and Jeeny share a realization about the purpose and authenticity of art.

Jeeny: “So, maybe the lesson here is that art doesn’t need to be perfect or polished to be meaningful. In fact, it’s often the imperfect, raw, and unrefined aspects of art that make it resonate with us. The value of art lies in its authenticity, not in how it’s presented or revered.”

Jack: “Exactly. The true worth of art is in its ability to connect, to express something real. It’s about the vulnerability and the rawness behind it — not about how shiny or pristine it looks. Art should be about the experience, the emotion, and the truth it holds, not the status or prestige it’s given.”

Host: As the evening continues, the conversation wraps up with a quiet understanding. Art, at its core, is about expression and connection. When it becomes too polished or commodified, it risks losing the rawness that makes it powerful. It’s not the gold coating that gives art its value; it’s the truth, the vulnerability, and the emotion it conveys. Art, in its most authentic form, is meant to be experienced, felt, and understood, not just admired from a distance.