Although some may be turned off by the concept of not having their experience wrapped neatly in a package, I for one adore having to dig deep into something after it’s finished.

I’m not going to lie- I enjoy being befuddled.

I consider a piece of art to be a great success if I can leave a theater or close a book confused, but anxious to understand what I have just experienced.

After finishing a book like “House of Leaves,” I was left with a painful emptiness that I longed to fill by rereading the book and discovering every nook and cranny of the nuanced plot. To be honest, part of it stemmed from the fact that I liked reading a book that forced me to turn it upside down at certain points.

Likewise, there’s something refreshing about leaving a movie with absolutely no idea regarding what has just taken place. This refreshment can leave a bitter taste if no meaning can ever be taken from the movie; however, if repeated viewings allow the viewer to understand the film, the experience becomes a very memorable one.

David Lynch is a master at crafting an experience that screams to be viewed more than once. Lynch constantly uses random, bizarre occurrences that have to be viewed multiple times, such as in his short-lived television series “Twin Peaks.” He also plays with time and space in his films, such as “Mulholland Dr.,” which inexplicably transforms from one thing into another halfway through.

Although some may be turned off by the concept of not having their experience wrapped neatly in a package, I, for one, adore having to dig deep into something after it’s finished.

As usual, video games are no exception when it comes to my love for confusion.

You don’t really have to rack your brain in order to understand “Mario,” (although the whole prospect of an Italian plumber traveling via massive pipes and fighting dinosaurs is a bit strange and actually quite scary). However, as games have progressed, so have their storylines.

The plot of “Killer 7” makes little to no sense during your first play-through. At about 10 minutes into the game, as soon as the first invisible clown terrorist commits suicide and kills one of your seven identities, the player is left with a look on their face that falls somewhere between disorientated and disturbed.

However, upon multiple runs through the game, the player can actually discern a deep and intriguing plot amidst all the madness.

Another classic game with monstrously confusing aspects is “Earthbound” for the Super Nintendo. Although over a decade old, the game still succeeds in mentally destroying the player at nearly every turn.

By the end of the game, you will have beat rabid dogs with baseball bats, dug through garbage cans for hamburgers, and fought off an enemy aptly titled “New Age Retro Hippy.”

Confusion in art is a tricky subject. Too much can lead to frustration, however if used just right, it can create an experience that lasts forever. Or at least until the retro hippies take over.

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