Understatement

Originally posted in my old blog in September 2008

Yesterday I was thinking about crispness. I think one thing left out of that conversation with myself was the concept that understatement may be an important component of crispness. What does this mean, you say?

Well, let’s explore the opposite of understatement for a moment. Overstatement is gaudy, superfluous, sometimes even crass or gauche. Overstatement breathes insecurity. Even in the milder forms, overstatement is a bit sloppy. It goes at least a baby step past what needs to be said, played, acted or expressed.

One aspect of crispness is that it says exactly what needs to be said. Nothing more. Nothing less. Overstatement is never a possibility. Never too many notes. Never too many words. Never too much paint. Never too much light. Never too many possessions. Never too many friends. Never too many enemies.

Why is this measured expression understatement? Shouldn’t it be called equi-statement or simply statement? I have to admit that the concept of understatement is susceptible to being colorless, boring or bland. But “statement” does not get the point across. Understatement must reign because going one step past is too much.

Doesn’t the worship of understatement eliminate the wonderful unbridled emotion of a romantic event? Romantic art, literature and music were backlashes against the measured rationalism of the classic era. Life without romance and a little emotional craziness is narrow and dry.
I say no. Reason? Understatement is contextual. It follows the Universal rules of relativism by understating within context. A dozen roses, candlelight dinner and seranades are an overstatement on the third date. They are understatement par excellence when sprinkled at the appropriate milestones or special moments of a relationship. Extreme chromaticism is overstatement in classical music, but is welcome in romantic music.

Understatement falls just short of that last word, phrase, brushstoke or kiss that is the first step into overstatement. Understatement, properly understood, states the necessary, avoids the gratuituous and leaves the receiver wanting more.