On exclusivity, obscurity, and anonymity

Levels like this are exactly the reason I wish there was an option to leave a review without rating, because I think work like this is the perfect opener for a discussion about what people pursue in art. Believe me, once I can remove my rating, I will--I do like this level, sorta, but--we'll get to it.

The pursuit of obscurity is incredibly enticing to some artists. Not obscurity in the sense that no one cares about your work, but rather that only the RIGHT group of people cares. On this site, this level has found its audience, which I am totally thrilled by. If this resonates with you, I respect that entirely! What doesn't quite sit right with me is how this desire for an ingroup becomes alienating and can separate the humanity from the work. To me, this level feels cold. It's almost impossible to decipher what person could create this level; to some people, the appeal becomes the alien feeling that this level appeared without a creator.

Art is a human urge, or, that's the way I see it (I'm sorry, please bear with me). The throughline of society has been the urge to immortalize said societies through works of art, works that survive on a greater timescale or capture a greater meaning than the people who made it. Passion for art spawns from connection between people, and while obscuring the origin of creation might spark intrigue or fleeting fascination, it means I can't ever love this level the same way I can some intricately woven set of designs or clever use of the game as a medium.

That brings me to my actual issues with the level, which is that in all its effort in capturing a mood, presenting an experience, or however you might call it, the visuals plainly lack the level of creativity in fields of color and design that I would expect from something truly affecting (again with the understanding that this might not be the same metrics others value in levels). Same goes for the actual level-ness of the level, which is entirely secondary--often I tend to be upset by works similar to this because they are designed almost exclusively for a viewing experience. While they might be visually enticing, the medium allows for SO much freedom in the playing experience that is almost entirely ignored by the level.

This level is unique, in ways, but it also falters in so many familiar fashions. I fear that its immediate status as a cult classic is more notable than any of the features of the level itself.