transcending culture

Not too long ago, in response to a comment I made about a particular piece, a fellow writer told me, "That's because you're a modern reader."

I've been thinking about that statement. What does it mean? What does it say about me? What does it say about my writing?

Here's my working conclusion: Art holds in balance three things--reflecting the culture in which it is written (and communicating to that culture), transforming the culture in which it is written, and transcending the culture in which it is written.