"This isn't art!" I told my professor. "Who's going to pay $7000 for a blank canvas?" It wasn't completely blank. The artist had painted it white.
"Ah, but what is art if not something that evokes an emotional response? Look how flustered you are."
I thought it would be easy to write a critique for what was, effectively, a blank canvas. Yet, I learned, if I was going to pass the assignment, I'd have to offer my definition of art--my paradigm for what it should and shouldn't be--and show why I thought this was a poor specimen.
You would think reviewing climbing gear would be an easier, more concrete task, but you still have to reveal your calculus of psychology, environment, hopes, and dreams to qualify your opinion. Otherwise you're like this guy, who reviewed the Arcteryx Acto MX Hoody on the Backcountry.com website:
"I had the chance to try this jacket on recently and I found it to be an amazing piece of equipment that I can't live without. You can rock it on it's own or use it for layering. It is super versatile and extremely technical. Perfect for any outdoor enthusiast. The liner is a fleece grid that can let heat out while wearing it alone or keep heat in if you are layering. Use this for anything you do in the snow. Not to mention it has a lifetime warranty. Awesome!"
His basis of review is from trying it on?
Anyway. I have been interested in the Acto MX Hoody since Jason Kruk's "Acto PSA" (found via ColdThistle) piqued my interest in the jacket. Then I got it for Christmas and have barely taken it off. Here's my take:
