Saturday, April 25, 2009
Blog 7 Art1B
Art and society. I think they're inseparable. If there is a society there will soon emerge a creative imagination that will express itself somehow. Virtually everything we studied so far has been art relative to the society around it. There seems to be an interdependence. The role of art in society is defined by the culture of the time and the art created and preserved ultimately helps define the culture it sprang from. The art we have been viewing in the text is the "creme de le creme", the very best that a period has to offer. In a sense its a snapshot of a period in the broadest most enduring terms. Ideally art should be a positive force in society, but of course that's where the river becomes turbulent and difficult to navigate. Who or what determines what is positive, we don't' all agree on that. Maybe over time art will continue to help define the "ideal", much as the Greeks and the Renaissance did in some particular way. The art of the past has largely been paintings as a means of expression and communication. It was used extensively as a teaching tool, as a legal document, a historical record, a sign of social standing and a means of commenting on a situation and simply entertainment. Today, there are many more avenues of expression that are used for these purposes. I think that television and the movies (video) have replaced paintings as a main source of entertainment and teaching for the greater part of the population. An example of this is the anti-smoking advertisements that are broadcast on television. they are very engaging, pointed, convincing and effective. In my opinion they are imaginative and creative. The Internet is another means of expression that can be used creatively to educate, entertain and inform. Arts has a role in society, it should be used to define the ideal and pursue it. This will be ongoing!
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The art of the past certainly fell into just a few categories compared to today. Paintings were very characteristic of their time and could be easily classifed in their message to the viewer.
ReplyDeleteToday, there are many more means of expression and the message may be more subliminal. I think also repetition plays a large part in delivering a message - the more you see of something the more familiar it is and the easier it is to sell you on it. Just think of the familiar red and yellow of the burger places. You immediately know what it is by the color. Or a sound of a cell phone. Our ears immediately perk up.
I completely agree with everything you said. Art in the form of paintings, sculptures, and drawings used to be much more for entertainment and always influenced by the culture. But now we have so many more ways of expressing ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThe art of today - on video and t.v. unfortunately will probably not be around to be viewed by the generation of art history students 300 years from now.. its not in a solid format that can be preserved. I agree that our art is coming to us on those formats.. its too bad it is so transient!
ReplyDeleteArt has been with us since man has been on this earth. Even before language there was art. It not only represents the period of time it was created in, but also the feelings and emotions of the artist. Art has always been used as a way to express oneself and will continue to be used for this function. Art is probably one of the only things in life that will never change. It's purpose and reason have spanned through era's and have stayed the same. Great blog. I always enjoy reading what you have to say and like your insightful thoughts and comments when it comes to art.
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