Abstract

Artwork of astounding genius requires a spectator (and not just anyone will do!). The materialist magic worked by an artistic genius only affects others; each genius is impervious to their own magic. Diderot's thought is wonderful and really deserves wider attention (if any thought really does deserve attention ...): a masterpiece is incomplete without one who can appreciate it. This is a talk presented (a few years ago) to an audience of nearly none at a conference. I only post it in case there is anyone out there who enjoys Diderot, art, French, hardcore materialism and magic.