God’s Design: The Arts as a Way of Being Human, Learning Truth, and Doing Justice
Rosie Perera
There has been an uneasy relationship between the church and the arts in the past, but a new renaissance appears to
be underway. Witness the veritable flood of books on Christianity and the arts in the past decade. 1 There are now at
least seven graduate degree programs in Theology and the Arts in the United States, Canada, and the U.K., 2 and
several internationally recognized organizations promoting the integration of these two disciplines. 3 There is a
bubbling excitement among a broad spectrum of Christians about the redemption of “the arts” (visual and literary
arts, music, theatre, film, and dance) as a valid way of expressing our faith and creativity as believers and giving
glory to God. Others have written about the healing of the post-Reformation rift between Christianity and the arts; in
fact, a whole issue of Direction was devoted to Faith and the Arts. 4 And this buzz about the arts is already filtering
into many churches. (My little Mennonite church in Vancouver now has regular rotations of artwork by members of
the congregation exhibited on the sanctuary walls, and we are not unique in this.) Thus I think I can take for granted
a certain level of comfort among readers with the arts as a noble Christian pursuit. However, I would like to argue
that not only is it approved by God, but art plays a vital role for humanity; we need it in the church and in the world;
more of us ought to develop our artistic gifts and our ability to thoughtfully interact with art from a Christian
perspective; and we need to support the artists in our midst, both spiritually and through our patronage.
We need the sensitivity of the artist to bring to light what has gone unnoticed in our
humdrum everyday experience, so that we notice things for the first time.
There are three reasons why I believe art is important for us as Christians and why many of us should be
engaged in it ourselves, while others appreciate it and encourage Christian artists. The first has to do with the
essence of our humanity and our relationship to God as humans; second is the ability of art to reveal truth and to
transform; third is the way beauty causes people to long for the good, for justice, and ultimately for God.
ART AND HUMANITY
Creativity is a gift from God who made us in his image as creative beings. It is part of what makes us human
and differentiates us from the rest of creation. Beauty is all around us in God’s world, but it is we alone among all
his creatures who, in collaboration with God, can make new things of beauty out of the materials he has provided.
Francis Schaeffer wrote, “Being in the image of the Creator, we are called upon to have creativity.” 5 When we
create art, then, we are manifesting the image of God and becoming more who we were meant to be.
God has set aside some of us with a particular vocation as artists. The very first instance of God’s spirit being
given to someone in the Bible was to an artist! In the instructions for making the Tabernacle and all its furnishings,
God said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel . . . of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of
God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and
bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship” (Exod. 31:3–4). Here
was fine art being used for the worship of God, one service that Christian artists perform, but by no means the only
one.
While some are called specifically to be artists and are given more talent and/or desire in that area than
others, being creative is central to who we all are as humans. As the Shorter Catechism puts it, the chief end
(purpose) of man is “to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” 6 The arts play a fundamental role in this, giving us
both means commensurate with God’s own beauty with which to worship him, and derivative beauty to expand our
enjoyment of God’s creation. Francis Schaeffer asserts: “The arts . . . have a place in the Christian life—they are not
peripheral. For a Christian . . . the Lordship of Christ should include an interest in the arts. A Christian should use
these arts to the glory of God, not just as tracts, mind you, but as things of beauty to the praise of God.” 7
During the Renaissance, which emerged first in Italy, art was one of the things that woke people up to their
own individuality, as painters began depicting emotion and personality in people’s faces. Jacob Burckhardt, writing
of the civilizing influence of the Renaissance, says, “In the Middle Ages . . . [m]an was conscious of himself only as
a member of a race, people, party, family, or corporation. . . . In Italy, man became a spiritual individual, and
recognized himself as such.” 8 In an age when there are so many influences dragging us back towards a loss of
individuality and personhood (mass consumerism, the “war on terror,” among others), we need art to humanize us
again and make us attentive to the image of God in us.
ART AND TRUTH
The second reason I think the arts are so important for people of faith is that art can communicate truth in
ways that text and spoken word simply cannot. It can interpret the scriptures to us, and can reach us emotionally
when rational blinders prevent the gospel message from impacting us. I was traveling in Florence recently with a
group of Christians studying art and cultural transformation in the Renaissance. One of the people in our seminar, a
pastor from the United States, recounted to me an experience he had some years prior. He was totally transfixed
while standing in front of Picasso’s Guernica. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of seeing that work in a particular
setting where it was on loan had a powerful effect on his life. It brought him to tears just telling me about it.
Somehow that aesthetic encounter revealed to him some deep-rooted anger in his life. He was touched emotionally
in a way that began to break down the sources of that anger and transform him. That is more than merely a
revelation of truth. It is nothing short of redemptive!
Another aspect of the truth-revelatory nature of art is evident when we engage in it ourselves. Creating art
can be a way of learning about God and the world and coming to understand theological truths. The playwright
Nigel Forde writes, “Like most writers, I don’t know what I know until I start to write about it. The very process of
writing becomes the process of revelation. I write not because I see but in order to see.” 9 My photographer-essayist
friend Paul Butzi talks about art as a verb rather than a noun, something we do to learn about the world around us,
rather than something static to possess. 10 Jeremy Begbie, founder of the Theology Through the Arts project, quotes
John Macquarrie describing art as “something like revelation. What is revealed has been there all the time, but it has
gone unnoticed in our humdrum everyday experience. It needs the sensitivity of the artist to bring it to light, so that
we notice things for the first time.” 11 Begbie goes on to say that art has an “indispensable role to play in [how] the
wisdom of God comes to be learned and articulated.” 12
We in the postmodern era face some particular challenges. Claims to truth are being assailed on all sides, and
no one voice seems to have ultimate authority anymore. As Margaret Loewen Reimer writes, “Christians are not
immune to the erosion of what they thought they knew for sure.” 13 But she holds out hope that “the artistic
imagination can help us hold together the many clashing realities we all live with.” 14
ART, JUSTICE, AND ULTIMATE GOOD
The third reason I believe the arts are vital for Christians to engage with is that they embody beauty which
can create in people a longing for something more—for the good and ultimately for God. St. Augustine wrote a
classic account of how beauty drew him to God:
Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you. And see, you
were within and I was in the external world and sought you there, and in my unlovely
state I plunged into those lovely created things which you made. You were with me,
and I was not with you. The lovely things kept me far from you, though if they did not
have their existence in you, they had no existence at all. You called and cried out loud
and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my
blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted
you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am set on fire to
attain the peace which is yours. 15
Thus the arts can draw those who do not yet know God to the ultimate Source of all beauty.
One might ask why we should patronize the arts, which some might see as merely entertainment, when there
is so much strife and hunger in the world. I don’t believe it is an either/or proposition. Beauty can give humans
dignity and make living more tolerable in the midst of horrific conditions. Consider the musicians who composed
and performed in the ghettos and concentration camps during the Holocaust. It gave them a reason for living. In the
end most of them died, but some of their music lives on and gives meaning to their existence, and causes others to
say “never again.” There is also the experience of the black slaves in America whose spirituals portrayed a home up
yonder where they were headed, and gave them strength to carry on.
Or to give a more contemporary and visual example, the creation of art in Haiti, against the backdrop of
untold suffering, remains one small avenue of hope for a better future. Andrew Meade, founder of the Vassar Haiti
Project, writes, “Despite the poverty, the political turmoil, the environmental devastation, and lack for years of any
kind of governmental infrastructure, the dignity and spirit of the Haitian people remains powerfully strong, vibrant
and free. It is this vibrant spirit which translates so colorfully and creatively into art, which is one of that country’s
few remaining viable exports.” 16 I am also reminded of the redemptive work of New York photographer Zana
Briski among the children in the red light district of Calcutta, as portrayed in the documentary film “Born Into
Brothels.” In such ways art can give oppressed people hope that there is something beyond what they experience
now.
The ancient Greek philosophers saw a connection between beauty and justice. Their concept of beauty
revolved around a sense of balance or symmetry. Symmetry is also a hallmark of justice, as we are reminded by the
balance scales Lady Justice carries. When things lack balance or harmony, they are no longer beautiful. An ugly
painting, a strip-mined hillside, an arrogant tourist who is disrespectful of a foreign country, an intractable situation
where hatred and violence beget more of same . . . all share a quality of ugliness, of something being out of balance.
Hans Urs von Balthasar, the great Swiss theologian and aesthetician, wrote that “whoever sneers at [beauty] . . . can
no longer pray and soon will no longer be able to love.” 17 Art, because it gives us pleasure and trains us to
appreciate beauty, can teach us to recognize “not-beauty” when we see it. World hunger and other problems of
injustice will remain until we long for the pleasure of doing good. Dostoyevsky says, at the end of The Idiot, 18 “I
believe the world will be saved by beauty.” 19
CONCLUSION
Artists have a long history of feeling feared and rejected or at least underappreciated by the church. Many
who grew up in Christian communities have left to do their work elsewhere. They have missed out on nurture and
discipleship in the faith, and the church has been impoverished in their absence. Christians have encouraged their
young people to pursue other “more serious” studies (with an eye to employability or usefulness in evangelism) and
to leave the arts behind as childish, impractical, or downright dangerous. But the arts are too important to be left to
the rest of the world.
I believe that Christians individually and the church communally should embrace the arts, nurture the artists
in our midst, and recover the practice of patronage for the flourishing of the arts as a Christian vocation. While
higher secular education may bring challenges to faith, exposure to the arts will not be a threat. On the contrary,
advanced study of the arts can help people to achieve integration of faith and learning. Knowledge of the arts can
help students in their intellectual development and faith struggles. It can serve as an anchor when faith is challenged.
Picasso said that we are all born artists, and the challenge is to stay that way as we grow up. We lose that
capacity as we are trained out of it through the education system. 20 I am reminded of the poet William Stafford’s
reply when asked, “When did you start writing poetry?” He said “When did everyone else stop?” Many adults regret
not having kept up their creative sides from childhood. It does not have to be that way. University students would be
well-advised to take one or more courses in the arts, to keep up the practice of an instrument, get involved in theatre,
learn to paint or make films. There are immediate as well as life-long benefits and rewards.
Because Mennonites do not have a strong aesthetic heritage (apart from music, quilting, and more recently
poetry and fiction), we have a great deal of catching up to do and a lot to learn from our brothers and sisters in other
Christian traditions when it comes to creating “visible expressions of our faith.” 21 We should be about our Father’s
business as we learn to use the arts to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.”
Art is an all-embracing notion that plays the most important role in the development of the mankind. Art is a
diverse range of human activities and the products of those activities. Art is a diverse field and includes artistic
imprints in many forms which may include the creation of images or objects in fields including painting, sculpture,
printmaking, photography, and other visual media. Architecture is often included as one of the visual arts; however,
like the decorative arts. The first forms of arts were found on walls of ancient caves in the forms of stone works as
well as painting. So we can guess that painting was the first way of art. Painting is the most understandable way of
art because it gives us the most full and vivid impression. Music, theatre, film, dance, and other performing arts, as
well as literature, and other media such as interactive media are included in a broader definition of art. A poem, a
painting, a sculpture created by the artist gives joy to him while he is in the act of creation; it gives him joy again
after a lapse of time, when he imaginatively recreates or relives the original moment of creation and also gives a
great sense of pleasure to the person who observes that art carefully.
Art is a way to express many things. It's a way to deal with feelings that cannot be expressed through typical
means like conversation or words. Art gives a way to express your emotions. Until the 17th century, art referred to
any skill or mastery and was not differentiated from crafts or sciences, but in modern usage, the fine arts, where
aesthetic considerations are paramount, are distinguished from acquired skills in general, and the decorative or
applied arts. Today in the 21st century the dimensions of arts have changed a lot as compared to the past. These days
art is not only just a way of expressing your ideas but also has been used to send some kind of information or
message to the masses. Art can be used for politics and social agendas such as editorial cartoons and paintings
directed at political or religious figures. Art can inspire and allow people to see things from different perspectives.
Art comforts man through poems, literature, songs, drama, and cinema. Art lovers can spend their whole life
working for art. Art serves to fulfil the desire of man to transcend the death and decay to which all earthly things are
subject. Art consoles man to help him imagine what is desired but is not immediately available for use. Art takes
you to another world where you interpret everything by your emotions. It enables him to live a double life without
the torture and morbidity of schizophrenia. The importance of art is related to the nature of our human-built
environment, and whether we create it to be a comfort or a torment. To understand the place of art and beauty in
contemporary culture, you need to turn to historic forms of art.
History of Art
To understand the true meaning of art we have to begin from the historic period from where the concept of
real art started, though in the modern century art has taken a commercial turn still never the less there are those who
still respect art in its original form. The most precious achievements and monuments of mankind, whether it is a
pyramid or any building from historic view, are man's attempts to eternalize memories of some important historic
event or symbolize the loss of near and dear ones who were initially lost forever. We may safely say that art is a
by-product of man's self-love and a fond hope to live forever in a world beyond this world. It would not be wrong to
say that art is both a means as well as an end. It is a means for the artist to transcend the limitations of time and
space and to partake of pleasures not found in the day to Creation of art has been often compared with the process of
birth and death.
Sculptures, cave paintings, rock paintings etc. from the Upper Paleolithic dating to roughly 40,000 years ago
have been found, but the precise meaning of such art is often disputed because so little is known about the cultures
that produced them. Also, it becomes really difficult to interpret all the work that was done during olden times.
Many great traditions in art have a foundation in the art of one of the great ancient civilizations: Ancient Egypt,
Mesopotamia, Persia, India, China, Ancient Greece, Rome, as well as Inca, Maya, and Olmec. Each of these centres
of early civilization developed a unique and characteristic style in its art. Because of the size and duration of these
civilizations, more of their art works have survived and more of their influence has been transmitted to other cultures
and later times. Some also have provided the first records of how artists worked.
In the east, Islamic art's rejection of iconography led to an emphasis on geometric patterns, calligraphy, and
architecture. Further east, religion dominated artistic styles and forms too. This was an important phase of religious
art development. India and Tibet saw an emphasis on painted sculptures and dance, while religious painting
borrowed many conventions from sculpture and tended to bright contrasting colours with emphasis on outlines.
Various dance forms and considerable development in the field of music was witnessed during this period.
Woodblock printing became important in Japan after the 17th century. The western Age of Enlightenment in the
18th century saw artistic depictions of physical and rational certainties of the clockwork universe, as well as
politically revolutionary visions of a post-monarchist world.
The late 19th century then saw a host of artistic movements, such as academic art, Symbolism,
impressionism, and fauvism among others. This period saw a great rise in artistic movements. The history of
twentieth-century art is a narrative of endless possibilities and the search for new standards, each being torn down in
succession by the next. Thus the parameters of Impressionism, Expressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Dadaism,
Surrealism, etc. cannot be maintained very much beyond the time of their invention. Increasing global interaction
during this time saw an equivalent influence of other cultures into Western art, such as Pablo Picasso being
influenced by African sculpture. The west has had huge impacts on Eastern art in the 19th and 20th centuries, with
originally western ideas like Communism and Post-Modernism exerting a powerful influence on artistic styles.
The Importance of Art in Human Life
It is usual human nature to admire the beauty around us which may include natural as well as man-made
resources like hills, rivers, natural beauty and beautiful buildings respectively. We are often awe-struck when we see
a beautiful painting, or read a beautiful poem, or listen to soothing music and we get an inner feeling of happiness
and calmness when we come across these things. We commonly associate art in terms of a painting or a sculpture we
see in a museum or an art gallery, nonetheless, art is everywhere around us in many forms and holds a significant
value in our lives. The word ‘Art’ is, however, most commonly associated with pieces of work in a gallery or
museum, whether it’s a painting from the Renaissance or a modern sculpture. Art has much more diverse forms than
this classification. However, there is so much more to art than what we see displayed in galleries. The truth is,
without being aware of it, we are surrounded by art and use it on a continual basis. Most people don’t realize how
much of a role art plays in our lives and just how much we rely on art in all of its forms in our everyday lives.
It is difficult to describe the word art in literal terms, but broadly we understand the art to be a form to
express one’s feelings through any object or medium like paper, music, colours, technology, magic, photography etc.
different artists use different mediums to express their inner feelings. It could be abstract, realistic, naturalistic,
conceptual, and inspirational. It is agreeable that we are surrounded by Art and also rely on it in our daily routine.
When we enter someone’s home, it is difficult to stop ourselves to appreciate the way the living room is decorated.
You would find rhythm and harmony in the way furniture is placed; photographs adorn a wall, paintings hung above
the sofa or any particular show-piece placed in a corner or centrepiece on a coffee table etc. however the importance
of art in human life is worth consideration. Art may play an important role in our lives in one way or the other which
includes:
Art and Music: Art plays a great role in our lives which can be easily understood by the fact that every one of
us has a television and a music system in our house and everyday use both, and which is a great application of the
work of art. We daily listen to music by various artists and watch different movies and television shows where
different artists perform. Music is the form of art that can make life extremely joyful and can have a huge effect on
our mood. Music at times can have a soothing effect that may help you to forget all your tensions and worries. In the
workplace, in particular, music is something that can help people set the mood for what they are about to do. If you
have something hard or difficult to work on or are feeling tired, an energetic song will likely wake you up and add
some enthusiasm to the situation. On the other hand, the movies and daily soaps that we watch are also a work of art.
Preserving Culture: Another importance of art is that it preserves our culture. Ancient monuments and other
artistic claims including scripts, music forms, dance forms and designing patterns are all included in our cultural
heritage. When we see these cultural preserving we come to know about our proud past and also would help coming
generations to realize their roots. Hence art also serves to carry our cultural messages to generations.
The Joy of Art: At times we may wonder why all of these things are so important to our daily lives and that
we could have easily survived just fine with essential items that were non-artistic. You may think that we could have
easily found out an alternative. That is just the reason why art is so valuable! While art may not be vital to fulfilling
our basic needs, it does make life joyful. Whenever you go to a hill-station and gaze at the tremendous natural
beauty you are not able to forget that experience for many days. When you look at a painting or poster you’ve
chosen to hang on your living room wall, you feel happy. The sculpture or figurines on the kitchen windowsill create
a sense of joy. These varieties of art forms that we are surrounded by all come together to create the atmosphere that
we want to live in, which is personable to us.
Inspirational Art: Not just entertainment and cultural perseverance, art can also be a great source of
inspiration. You can easily find inspirational art, such as posters that are often found in workspaces to encourage
employees to continue being productive. There is now an increasing amount of companies using art in their offices,
as well as playing background music, as it is proven to actually work in making end results far better quality. Also,
you may find inspirational songs that are being made for teams participating in a high voltage match, which is also a
form of inspirational art. There may be a piece of art that you own that you personally find motivational. A lot of
people find music in the gym to be inspirational for them to work out.
Conclusion
It could be concluded that the importance of Arts in our lives is quite recognized to a greater level. Art is
everywhere, influencing us on a daily basis, whether we realize it or not. With the art that we are surrounded by,
whether it’s a painting, music or even videos can have a huge impact on our mood and emotions. Our concentration
towards art is increasing day by day and people have started appreciating art in a serious manner. Nowadays Art and
Craft Education are encouraged in schools for children as it provides a platform for the young ones to express and
explore their imagination. Everywhere you go art is evident. Research and Statistics confirm that this education
helps resolve a lot of problems and enhances critical thinking skills. Not all children are academically good, hence
encouraging them to discover the artist in themselves might help them grow in life and excel in many other fields
and may prove out to be an excellent career opportunity for them.
Imagine a world without the arts — a world without any music, film, dance, literature or any of the countless
other mediums art exists through. That world is difficult to imagine, as a world without art or culture would be a
devastatingly desolate, meaningless and dull one — devoid of the creativity and imagination we, as humans,
possess. Art is the creative expression of one’s ideas and imaginations — it occupies every corner of the world. Yet,
the importance of the arts is constantly being questioned, disregarded and taken for granted in many ways, starting
with a lack of funding and education.
Funding and education
Since 2017, the Trump administration has repeatedly proposed the elimination and reduction of federal
funding for several arts and humanities institutions, including the National Endowment for the Arts and the National
Endowment for the Humanities. Agencies such as the NEA are frequently targeted with budget cuts imposed by the
government so the government can increase spending elsewhere.
This trickles down to the state level, where art funding for painting, sculpture and music classes are usually
cut — as science and math are considered the common core subjects. Cutting arts funding in elementary and
secondary education portrays arts education as soft and elective in comparison to their more science-centered
counterparts. However, a study published in 2016 showed that students with four years of arts-related courses
scored, on average, 92 points higher on their SATs than those who had taken less.
The arts are extremely significant to education. The beauty of teaching the arts to students is that it aids in
developing creative people who think independently — self-expressive people with imaginative and innovative
thinking. The arts should not be seen as secondary or supplementary to math and science courses. Rather, they
should be seen as equally important in providing students with a well-rounded education.
In a paper titled “The Arts and Academic Achievement,” Lois Hetland and Ellen Winner wrote, “The arts are
a fundamentally important part of culture, and an education without them is an impoverished education, leading to
an impoverished society.”
“Studying the arts should not have to be justified in terms of anything else,” they continued. “The arts are as
important as the sciences: they are time-honoured ways of learning, knowing, and expressing.”
Art, science and culture
Art has a monumental impact on culture and society around the world. Throughout human existence, art has
been an imperative tool in measuring cultural sophistication and recording history. Before language and the written
word were developed, mankind shared their lives and stories through art, leaving behind cultural artifacts and
constructions still existing today — Stonehenge, the Greek Parthenon, Roman Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica and
more. It is through a culture’s art that society gains a deeper insight into the history of said culture.
Every era throughout history has been defined or classified by the advancements of civilization —
Byzantine, Stone Age, Middle Ages, Renaissance, etc. These eras in time include both artistic and scientific
advancements of humans, not one or the other. The Renaissance (1300-1600) saw the rebirth of art after the dark
ages, but more importantly the fusing of art and science. This fusion is portrayed in works like “Vitruvian Man,”
created by Leonardo Da Vinci, which brings together ideas of art, architecture, human anatomy and symmetry into
one image.
Art and science go hand-in-hand in shaping culture — without one or the other, the world would be a worse
place to live in. They are two sides of the same coin — manifestations of human creativity seeking to understand
and describe the world around us.
Appreciating art in our lives
Art lives around us, it’s everywhere all at once — in the literature we read, cinema we watch, architecture we
admire and more. It transcends language, political, social and cultural boundaries — seeking to bring people
together as members of the human race instead of dividing. It exists as a pathway to a greater understanding of the
world and ourselves, enriching our souls with passion in the process.
English professor John Keating (played by Robin Williams) said it best in the 1989 film “The Dead Poets
Society,” before quoting Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass.” “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We
read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion,” he
said in the film. “And medicine, law, business, engineering — these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life.
But poetry, beauty, romance, love — these are what we stay alive for.”
Art — in its various mediums — is vital in sustaining life. It should be viewed as highly important to
education to create a thriving society with meaningful expression, imagination and flourishing cultures.
It’s a sad truth most artists must reconcile at some point in their creative lives: the role of the arts is constantly being
questioned. Some people question whether the arts are necessary or justified, most often when the subject has to do
with funding arts curricula. For others, there is no debating the belief that the arts have never been more important to
our society and should be fully integrated into our lives, our community and education in general.
First, art is the barometer that measures levels of cultural sophistication. Throughout human existence, we have
learned about cultural accomplishments from the cultural artifacts left behind. Many of these artifacts have left
behind permanent marks on the planet. Consider the construction of Stonehenge, the Greek Parthenon, the Roman
Colosseum, the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, gothic cathedrals, St. Peter’s Basilica, Meso-American pyramids,
the Taj Mahal and even, the Statue of Liberty. Each of these iconic structures also is a piece of art that communicates
important messages about the time, place and context in which the structure was created.
In addition to providing commentary about the larger culture, art makes life more manageable, tolerable and
enjoyable. One may not think about more utilitarian items and places as “art,” but they do contribute to one’s
aesthetic experience. Think about the iPhone, the Fort Worth Water Gardens, Call of Duty: Black Ops, floor rugs,
royal processions, Gucci’s Spring line, Versace furniture, Ducati motorcycles, Land Rovers, Gaudi’s Sagrada
Familia, Calvin Klein, Calatrava bridges, sunglasses, military uniforms, Star Wars, Rolling Stone Magazine covers
and the Transformers. Now, remove any element founded in creativity, art and design, and all that remains are piles
of materials that require human imagination and visual thinking.
Art forces humans to look beyond that which is necessary to survive and leads people to create for the sake of
expression and meaning.
Our own city, Fort Worth, is home to three world-renowned museums: The Amon Carter Museum of American Art,
The Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum. This city’s moniker of “Cowboys and Culture” is apt—a
merging of Fort Worth’s rich western history as equally shaped by cowboys, expansive ranches, the Chisolm Trail
AND important fine art institutions. It is the cultural arts that elevate our city onto the international stage.
Art can communicate information, shape our everyday lives, make a social statement and be enjoyed for aesthetic
beauty. Tarrant County College reinforces Fort Worth’s rich culture. Each campus offers a variety of fine art
experiences for students of all majors to attend and become inspired. These opportunities include theater
performances, music concerts, dance performances and visual art gallery exhibitions. Trinity River Campus is even
home to a large techno-centric art collection. These free resources represent an extension of the classroom and can
be utilized and appreciated by the entire community.
In an informal conversation with Scott Robinson, dean of humanities at the Trinity River Campus, several Design I
students were discussing the importance of art and why it is necessary in an academic environment. Through much
discussion and some arguing, the group concluded that the arts are necessary to give meaning to things. The sciences
provide the facts and information that give order to our world and are at the vanguard of innovation and human
achievement. For example, science can teach us about the life cycle of organisms. It explains why organisms age, it
provides the ability to prolong life through medicine and it gives an insight into the workings of death and decay.
On the other hand, art can give meaning to the concept of death. Egyptians mummified individuals and laid them to
rest in magnificent tombs, while present-day humans place loved ones in the ground (or in mausoleums) and
decorate that resting place with plaques, memorials and flowers. El Dia de los Muertos celebrates the passing of
loved ones and remembers them through visitations, offerings and the belief that their souls remain near. These
cultural practices, combined with our scientific understanding, allow us to process life and death more holistically.
Is it fair or even justified to separate art from the sciences? The only answer to this question is a resounding “NO.”
The arts and sciences have a symbiotic relationship. Leonardo Da Vinci best captured the relationship of the two in
his claim that they are separate but intertwining paths that lead one to the same end: knowledge.
The focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) is one of the current buzzworthy initiatives in
academia. The acronym can easily be transformed into STEAM by the inclusion of art into the formula. Art should
be included and the focus should change. The exclusion of the arts is a disservice to the world’s youth. A popular
bumper sticker asserts that “Earth” without “art” is just “Eh,” a desolate and meaningless place. We can do better
than that. We must. Art is the key.
Art has always been around in one form or another, helping mankind in the development of diverse activities and
their outcomes. Art is as vast as an ocean, embodying a wide range of activities, such as sculpting, painting,
photography and architecture, etc. If we take a look at our past, we can see that the earliest form of art that mankind
learnt, was painting, presented on ancient walls. With the advancement of time, newer forms of art arose, such as
music, theatre and photography, etc., which are nowadays considered the most beautiful types of performing arts.
Art is a way of expression, a way of joy, a way of making people understand things which can’t be done verbally. In
fact, we can say that everything that is beautiful is art. Art provides mankind with a diverse range of necessities and
comforts. The use of art in various political and social issues to organise campaigns and create awareness is
indispensable. The importance of art in education for kids, as well as adults, is undeniable.
Art is everywhere around us, and not just present in the museums and galleries. Art fills the creator, as well as the
admirer, with joy, as it provides us with inner calmness and happiness. Art doesn’t discriminate between people and
is equally special for the admirers of it.
Music Is Art
Music is also undoubtedly considered a form of art. The importance of art to mankind can be understood by looking
at the fact that every one of us has either a TV set or a music system in our houses. It is music which has the power
to make us feel happy when in a bad mood, pump us with motivation or help us get through depression. Television is
doing an indispensable service to mankind because television acts as the art for the masses and surrounds our society
with art.
Art and Culture
It is a common fact that every culture is associated with art. Art facilitates the preservation of culture, in the form of
music, paintings and movies, etc. With the help of art, we’re able to learn the past culture and heritage of societies
and facilitate future generations with the same. A lot of things in society stay preserved in the form of art, which
otherwise cannot be retained by any other means.
Art Is Inspiring
Art makes people optimistic about their future. Art can be used to help spread a message of inspiration, making
people achieve great things in life. Art can be a form of communication between people, to focus on common issues
for the betterment of humankind. Inspirational music is the best form of creative art.
What Is Art?
There is no logical answer when we ponder the importance of arts. It is, instead, molded by centuries upon centuries
of creation and philosophical ideas and concepts. These not only shaped and informed the way people did things, but
they inspired people to do things and live certain ways.
We could even go so far as to say the importance of art is borne from the very act of making art. In other words, it is
formulated from abstract ideas, which then turn into the action of creating something (designated as “art”, although
this is also a contested topic). This then evokes an impetus or movement within the human individual.
The Definition of Art
Simply put, the definition of the word “art” originates from the Latin ars or artem, which means “skill”, “craft”,
“work of art”, among other similar descriptions. According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, the word has
various meanings; art may be a “skill acquired by experience, study, or observation”, a “branch of learning”, “an
occupation requiring knowledge or skill”, or “the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the
production of aesthetic objects”.
We might also tend to think of art in terms of the latter definition provided above, “the conscious use of skill” in the
“production of aesthetic objects”. However, does art only serve aesthetic purposes? That will also depend on what
art means to us personally, and not how it is collectively defined. If a painting done with great skill is considered to
be art, would a piece of furniture that is also made with great skill receive the same label as being art?
Thus, art is defined by our very own perceptions.
The defining factor has always been between art for art’s sake, art for aesthetic purposes, and art that serves a
purpose or a function, which is also referred to as “utilitarianism”. It was during the Classical and Renaissance
periods that art was defined according to these various predetermined rules, but that leaves us with the question of
whether these so-called rules are able to illustrate the deeper meaning of what art is?
If we move forward in time to the 20th century and the more modern periods of art history, we find ourselves amidst
a whole new art world. People have changed considerably between now and the Renaissance era, but we can count
on art to be like a trusted friend, reflecting and expressing what is inherent in the cultures and people of the time.
During the 20th century, art was not confined to rules like perspective, symmetry, religious subject matter, or only
certain types of media like oil paints. Art was freed, so to say, and we see the definition of it changing (literally) in
front of our very own eyes over a variety of canvases and objects. Art movements like Cubism, Fauvism, Dadaism,
and Surrealism, among others, facilitated this newfound freedom in art.
Artists no longer subscribed to a set of rules and created art from a more subjective vantage point.
Additionally, more resources became available beyond only paint, and artists were able to explore new methods and
techniques previously not available. This undoubtedly changed the preconceived notions of what art was. Art
became commercialized, aestheticized, and devoid of the traditional Classical meaning from before. We can see this
in other art movements like Pop Art and Abstract Expressionism, among others.
The Types and Genres of Art
There are also different types and genres of art, and all have had their own evolution in terms of being classified as
art. These are the fine arts, consisting of painting, drawing, sculpting, and printmaking; applied arts like architecture;
as well as different forms of design such as interior, graphic, and fashion design, which give day-to-day objects
aesthetic value.
Other types of art include more decorative or ornamental pieces like ceramics, pottery, jewelry, mosaics, metalwork,
woodwork, and fabrics like textiles. Performance arts involve theater and drama, music, and other forms of
movement-based modalities like dancing, for example. Lastly, Plastic arts include works made with different
materials that are pliable and able to be formed into the subject matter, thus becoming a more hands-on approach
with three-dimensional interaction.
Art Is a Universal Language
Art does not need to explain in words how someone feels – it only shows. Almost anyone can create something that
conveys a message on a personal or public level, whether it is political, social, cultural, historical, religious, or
completely void of any message or purpose. Art becomes a universal language for all of us to tell our stories; it is the
ultimate storyteller.
We can tell our stories through paintings, songs, poetry, and many other modalities.
Art connects us with others too. Whenever we view a specific artwork, which was painted by a person with a
particular idea in mind, the viewer will feel or think a certain way, which is informed by the artwork (and artist’s)
message. As a result, art becomes a universal language used to speak, paint, perform, or build that goes beyond
different cultures, religions, ethnicities, or languages. It touches the deepest aspects of being human, which is
something we all share.
Art Allows for Self-Expression
Touching on the above point, art touches the deepest aspects of being human and allows us to express these deeper
aspects when words fail us. Art becomes like a best friend, giving us the freedom and space to be creative and
explore our talents, gifts, and abilities. It can also help us when we need to express difficult emotions and feelings or
when we need mental clarity – it gives us an outlet.
Art is widely utilized as a therapeutic tool for many people and is an important vehicle to maintain mental and
emotional health. Art also allows us to create something new that will add value to the lives of others. Consistently
expressing ourselves through a chosen art modality will also enable us to become more proficient and disciplined in
our skills.
Art Keeps Track of History and Culture
We might wonder, why is art important to culture? As a universal language and an expression of our deepest human
nature, art has always been the go-to to keep track of everyday events, almost like a visual diary. From the geometric
motifs and animals found in early prehistoric cave paintings to portrait paintings from the Renaissance, every
artwork is a small window into the ways of life of people from various periods in history. Art connects us with our
ancestors and lineage.
When we find different artifacts from all over the world, we are shown how different cultures lived thousands of
years ago. We can keep track of our current cultural trends and learn from past societal challenges. We can draw
inspiration from past art and artifacts and in turn, create new forms of art.
Art is both timeless and a testament to the different times in our history.
Art Assists in Education and Human Development
Art helps with human development in terms of learning and understanding difficult concepts, as it accesses different
parts of the human brain. It allows people to problem-solve as well as make more complex concepts easier to
understand by providing a visual format instead of just words or numbers. Other areas that art assists learners in
(range from children to adults) are the development of motor skills, critical thinking, creativity, social skills, as well
as the ability to think from different perspectives.
Art subjects will also help students improve on other subjects like maths or science. Various research states the
positive effects art has on students in public schools – it increases discipline and attendance and decreases the level
of unruly behavior.
According to resources and questions asked to students about how art benefits them, they reported that they look
forward to their art lesson more than all their other lessons during their school day. Additionally, others dislike the
structured format of their school days, and art allows for more creativity and expression away from all the rules. It
makes students feel free to do and be themselves.
Art Adds Beauty for Art’s Sake
Art is versatile. Not only can it help us in terms of more complex emotional and mental challenges and enhance our
well-being, but it can also simply add beauty to our lives. It can be used in numerous ways to make spaces and areas
visually appealing.
When we look at something beautiful, we immediately feel better. A piece of art in a room or office can either create
a sense of calm and peace or a sense of movement and dynamism.
Art can lift a space either through a painting on a wall, a piece of colorful furniture, a sculpture, an ornamental
object, or even the whole building itself, as we see from so many examples in the world of architecture. Sometimes,
art can be just for art’s sake.
Art Is Socially and Financially Rewarding
Art can be socially and financially rewarding in so many ways. It can become a profession where artists of varying
modalities can earn an income doing what they love. In turn, it becomes part of the economy. If artists sell their
works, whether in an art gallery, a park, or online, this will attract more people to their location. Thus, it could even
become a beacon for improved tourism to a city or country.
The best examples are cities in Europe where there are numerous art galleries and architectural landmarks
celebrating artists from different periods in art history, from Gothic cathedrals like the Notre Dame in Paris to the
Vincent van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Art can also encourage people to do exercise by hiking up mountains to
visit pre-historic rock art caves.
Art Is a Powerful (Political) Tool
Knowing that art is so versatile, that it can be our best friend and teacher, makes it a very powerful tool. The history
of humankind gives us thousands of examples that show how art has been used in the hands of people who mean
well and people who do not mean well.
Therefore, understanding the role of art in our lives as a powerful tool gives us a strong indication of its importance.
Art is also used as a political medium. Examples include memorials to celebrate significant changemakers in our
history, and conveying powerful messages to society in the form of posters, banners, murals, and even graffiti. It has
been used throughout history by those who have rebelled as well as those who created propaganda to show the world
their intentions, as extreme as wanting to take over the world or disrupt existing regimes.
Art Will Always Be There
The importance of art is an easy concept to understand because there are so many reasons that explain its benefits in
our lives. We do not have to look too hard to determine its importance. We can also test it on our lives by the effects
it has on how we feel and think when we engage with it as onlookers or as active participants – whether it is
painting, sculpting, or standing in an art gallery.
What art continuously shows us is that it is a constant in our lives, our cultures, and the world. It has always been
there to assist us in self-expression and telling our story in any way we want to. It has also given us glimpses of
other cultures along the way.
Art is fluid and versatile, just like a piece of clay that can be molded into a beautiful bowl or a slab of marble carved
into a statue. Art is also a powerful tool that can be used for the good of humanity good or as a political weapon.
Art is important because it gives us the power to mold and shape our lives and experiences. It allows us to respond
to our circumstances on micro- and macroscopic levels, whether it is to appreciate beauty, enhance our wellbeing,
delve deeper into the spiritual or metaphysical, celebrate changes, or to rebel and revolt.
What Is the Importance of Arts?
There are many reasons that explain the importance of art. It is a universal language because it crosses language and
cultural barriers, making it a visual language that anyone can understand; it helps with self-expression and
self-awareness because it acts as a vehicle wherein we can explore our emotions and thoughts; it is a record of past
cultures and history; it helps with education and developing different skill sets; it can be financially rewarding, it can
be a powerful political tool, and it adds beauty and ambiance to our lives and makes us feel good.
Why Is Art Important to Culture?
Art is important to culture because it can bridge the gap between different racial groups, religious groups, dialects,
and ethnicities. It can express common values, virtues, and morals that we can all understand and feel. Art allows us
to ask important questions about life and society. It allows reflection, it opens our hearts to empathy for others, as
well as how we treat and relate to one another as human beings.
What Are the Different Types of Art?
There are many different types of art, including fine arts like painting, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking, as well
as applied arts like architecture, design such as interior, graphic, and fashion. Other types of art include decorative
arts like ceramics, pottery, jewelry, mosaics, metalwork, woodwork, and fabrics like textiles; performance arts like
theater, music, dancing; and Plastic arts that work with different pliable materials.
What Is the Definition of Art?
The definition of the word “art” originates from the Latin ars or artem, which means “skill”, “craft”, and a “work of
art”. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary offers several meanings, for example, art is a “skill acquired by
experience, study, or observation”, it is a “branch of learning”, “an occupation requiring knowledge or skill”, or “the
conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects”.
Humans have had a relationship with art, in one form or another, since time immemorial. From prehistoric cave
drawings to ancient instruments, it is obvious that art has always been and will continue to be an interwoven part of
our existence, regardless of race, political leanings, or cultural background.
People appreciate art in different ways, whether it’s music, dance, poetry, drawings, paintings, or even graffiti. Some
like to be directly involved in the creation of the art (artists) while others like to experience and appreciate it.
Whatever the case, the arts play a big role in how humans see and interact with others and the world in general. Art
helps us emotionally, financially, psychologically, and even helps to shape individual and collective personality.
There are so many reasons why art is important in the world, today and always. But just in case there might be any
doubts as to whether it is, here are 7 reasons why, in our humble opinion, art is extremely important to the world.
1. We are naturally artistic
The capacity for humans to naturally conceive up artistic creations, and how those artworks inspire and motivate us,
continues to be the basis of various studies and discussions about the origin of music and other arts in general. It
would seem our very DNA is coded to create and appreciate art. That can be the only logical explanation as to why
toddlers draw on walls, play in their food, and react to music, even without having been taught those things. In
addition, everyone has some artistic thread, even if it’s not with one of the recognized arts (music, visual, fine arts,
etc.). Artistry can be portrayed in so many ways, including how you pair your clothes, how hair is styled, in pastry
making and cooking, and even in how people organize their surroundings.
2. Art crosses all divides
Works of art, whether in physical or intangible form, can often easily be understood by people from different social,
cultural, and political backgrounds. It’s one of the reasons why music is referred to as a musical language. Also,
through observation of artifacts and artworks, as well as the messages encoded in literature, music, and poetry, it is
possible to gain insight and understanding of other people’s history and present-day realities.
3. Art is good for you
From beautifying the surroundings to helping to alleviate stress and discomforts, art is essential for physical,
emotional, and mental wellbeing. Music, for example, is increasingly used by people to battle depression and other
mental illnesses. For art creators, including musicians, dancers, painters, and writers, creating or performing a piece
of art is a cathartic experience that also provides a sense of achievement. There are numerous studies showing how
people feel better whether by creating art or by consuming it or by simply being in the presence of something
art-related.
4. It allows self-expression and self-awareness
For art creators, sometimes the only way to express a feeling or thought is to immerse into the process of bringing
something into being. For others, mental clarity on a particular situation only comes about after indulging in
something artistic. Also, art can help you to discover and understand things about yourself that you never recognized
before. Finally, including art in your daily life can help you become better at something that might not even be
considered remotely artistic.
5. The possibility for personal benefits
The world of art has allowed for the creation of wealth for millions of people, and not just for those involved with
the creation process. From the people who own and operate art galleries and cinemas to people whose job it is to
critique and categorize artworks, there are many earning channels created by art. Just imagine if there was no music,
books, paintings, or sculptors; the world not only be drab but there would be a lot fewer people with jobs.
6. Art allows for complex ideas to be broken down
A lot of complex issues such as race, religion, and politics have been simplified using artworks, including songs,
poetry, and drawings. Through the use of music, stories, artifacts, and the creative process itself, art also makes it
easier for students in schools to think critically and grasp a wide range of topics that help to shape what they become
later in life. For adults, art can be used in corporate settings to help people understand complex data, as well as to
create models that demonstrate a state of affairs or future path.
7. Assists with the recording of history
Without cave markings and ancient artifacts that have been dug up, a lot of what is now known about prehistoric
times would have remained a mystery. Likewise, the different types of art in play in today’s society will help future
generations understand what the world was like before they came along. In addition, through the messages
embedded in art, people can see and understand mistakes from the past, which will inform decisions as to how to
avoid them.
Whether you consider yourself an artist or just someone who loves art in one or all of its many forms, it’s easy to see
why art is important to the world and its people. Take some time to appreciate some art today.
Madonna of the Slums by Vicente Manansala was a key painting which significantly contributed to the Modernist
movement in the Philippines. It is focused on the shift from the rural to the urban and, in it, Vicente portrays a
woman along with her child who have recently moved to the city from the countryside. The work of Manansala was
focused on the betterment and proliferation of the national culture, social environment, identity and native
sensibility. His paintings were said to bring the city and the countryside together, in one frame. His technique,
‘Transparent Cubism’, where he superimposes shapes and colors is seen in the background of this painting.
However, the focus of the painting is on the mother who is tightly holding her child to her chest. Madonna of the
Slum is currently on display at the National Museum Collection of the Philippines.
Fernando Amorsolo’s work generally depicted Filipino people, working or doing things which are native to their
country and culture. The painting, Planting Rice, depicts farmers working in a field, with a cluster of huts in the
background to give the painting an authentic as well as native feel. In the painting, Amorsolo captured the traditional
occupation of men and women in the Philippines. It is a realistic painting which is representational of his own
childhood which was spent in a small town. Amorsolo’s famous ‘backlighting’ technique is visible in the painting.
The human figures are highlighted by a lighter outline which provides a characteristic lighting and makes the viewer
focus on the figures rather than any other element in the painting. Amorsolo’s Planting Rice appears on brochures
and travel guides till date. It is the most famous painting of perhaps the best known Filipino artist.
Revolving around gladiator matches, Juan Luna’s oil on canvas painting Spoliarium features a glimpse into the
history of Rome and the bloody consequences of these matches. The painting depicts dying gladiators who are being
dragged by Roman soldiers. The name of the painting ‘Spoliarium’ is a Latin word which refers to the area in the
Roman Colosseum which was used to dump the bodies of fallen gladiators. Luna portrayed a contrast between the
two sides of the painting: the left is shown with people spectators who are eagerly waiting for the fights and on the
right are the people who are mourning the death of a fallen gladiator. It is the largest painting in the Philippines and
is displayed at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila, Philippines. Juan Luna won his first gold medal for this
painting at the Exposición Nacional de Bellas Artes in Madrid, in the year 1884. Spoliarium is without doubt the
most famous painting by a Filipino artist.
The importance of art in society can’t be overstated, and it transcends far beyond borders or cultures. This is what
we know about its major tangible and intangible benefits.
Why Is Art Important?
Art is all around us. Whether you hear your favorite song on the radio or drive by a gorgeous mural, you experience
art every day. We know that these meeting points elevate our everyday experiences, but it’s common to lose sight of
the overall impact of the arts on communities.
Our goal here is to dive into this topic and answer that question: “Why is art important?” By answering it with
insights from research, we hope to provide studio owners and teachers alike with the solid information they need to
share their love of the arts with their wider communities.
1. It promotes expression and creativity
As humans, we’re naturally drawn to art as a form of expression and communication. Toddlers love to draw, sing,
and dance. It’s a way for them to express themselves before they’re verbal.
In fact, participation in the arts may even assist kids with language, motor skills, and visual learning development.
Research indicates that young people who regularly participate in the arts are four times more likely to be
recognized for academic achievement later on.
In therapy settings, art also provides an opportunity for digging deeper and expressing emotions that are difficult to
discuss.
Art therapy activities can help children (and adults) cope with their circumstances, both past and present. In one
important study, children between six and 12 were asked to draw a house as a distraction after thinking about
something upsetting. This group was able to improve their mood when compared with children who were instructed
to draw the negative event or simply copy another drawing.
2. It helps all of us develop necessary soft skills
The importance of art in society goes far beyond what we do in our free time. It can also help people work better.
When someone applies for a job, there are certain hard skills they need to have like data analysis or bookkeeping.
However, many employers also understand the very important need for soft skills. These intangible attributes are
hard to measure and often difficult to define. Some examples include a person’s ability to adapt to change, think
creatively, or collaborate with team members.
The arts are a universal way to develop these necessary soft skills that make us better people and coworkers in the
workplace.
3. It provides historical context
Art and human history go hand-in-hand. This is why people dedicate their lives to studying cave art, Shakespearean
plays, and so much more.
When we take the time to dive into art created in the past, we can learn about other generations and eras. We can
study art to find out what those before us were facing and how they overcame it. In the same way, future generations
will learn about our current events through the art we leave behind.
As the The Metropolitan Museum of Art puts it: “Looking at art from the past contributes to who we are as people.
By looking at what has been done before, we gather knowledge and inspiration that contribute to how we speak,
feel, and view the world around us.”
4. Art leads to healthy and thoughtful cultural discussions
Art is often controversial or groundbreaking. And when art creates a stir, it has the potential to spark healthy
conversations that lead to improvements across a society. Rather than impassioned debate, art gives us an
opportunity to analyze, respond to, and create social change.
How does this play out in direct impacts? Surveys show that high school students in the United States who engage in
the arts at school are twice as likely to volunteer than those who don’t. They are also 20% more likely to vote when
they become young adults.
5. It gives us a place to gather as a society
Beyond personal development, the overall social impact of the arts is essential to understand. Cultures big and small
unite through the arts to build better communities.
From fine art showings to community theatre in the park, the arts provide an opportunity to gather with other people
from all walks of life. Several case studies have actually demonstrated that art in rural communities specifically can
help boost economic growth. Further, it strengthens the bonds between people in these places.
What is an Art Movement ?
An Art Movement is a distinct artistic style, technique, or trend that maps a particular period of cultural
development in the history of art.
There is no fixed rule that determines what constitutes an art movement. The artists associated with one movement
may adhere to strict guiding principles, whereas those who belong to another may have little in common.
Art Movements are simply a historical convenience for grouping together artists of a certain period or style so that
they may be understood within a specific context.
Art Movements are usually named retrospectively by art critics or historians and their titles are often witty or
sarcastic nicknames pulled from a bad review.
Grouping artists of similar interests or styles into Art Movements is mainly a characteristic of Western Art.
Art Movements are essentially a 20th century development when there was a greater variety of styles than at any
other period in the history of art.
Dada / Dadaism
An artistic and literary movement in art formed during the First World War as a negative response to the traditional
social values and conventional artistic practices of the different types of art at the time. Dada artists represented a
protest movement with an anti-establishment manifesto, sought to expose accepted and often repressive conventions
of order and logic by shocking people into self-awareness.
What is Dadaism?
Dadaism is an artistic movement from the early 20th century, predating surrealism and with its roots in a number of
major European artistic capitals. Developed in response to the horrors of WW1 the dada movement rejected reason,
rationality, and order of the emerging capitalist society, instead favoring chaos, nonsense, and anti-bourgeois
sentiment.
What are the main characteristics of dadaism?
A Dadaism is often characterized by humor and whimsy, tending towards the absurd. This kind attitude was used as
a satirical critique of the prevailing societal and political systems, to which the onslaught of WWI was largely
attributed to.
What does dadaism mean?
The name Dada is one derived from nonsense and irrationality. In some languages, it meant ‘yes, yes’ as a parody of
the population’s senseless obedience to authority, whilst in others, it had completely different meanings and
connotations. The name is attributed to Richard Huelsenbeck and Hugo Ball, although Tristan Tzara also claimed
authorship – the idea being that it would have multiple nonsense meanings.
How is dadaism a reaction to WW1?
Dadaism was a movement with explicitly political overtones – a reaction to the senseless slaughter of the trenches of
WWI. It essentially declared war against war, countering the absurdity of the establishment’s descent into chaos with
its own kind of nonsense.
1. Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain (1917)
In 1917, Marcel Duchamp submitted a urinal to the Society of Independent Artists. The Society refused Fountain
because they believed it could not be considered a work of art. Duchamp’s Fountain raised countless important
questions about what makes art art and is considered a major landmark in 20th-century art.
2. Marcel Duchamp’s Bicycle Wheel (1913)
“In 1913, I had the happy idea to fasten a bicycle wheel to a kitchen stool and watch it turn,” said Marcel Duchamp
about his famous work Bicycle Wheel. Bicycle Wheel is the first of Duchamp’s readymade objects. Readymades
were individual objects that Duchamp repositioned or signed and called art. He called Bicycle Wheel an “assisted
readymade,” made by combining more than one utilitarian item to form a work of art.
3. Man Ray’s Ingres’s Violin (1924)
By painting f-holes of a stringed instrument onto the photographic print of his nude model Kiki de Montparnasse
and rephotographing the print, Man Ray altered what was originally a classical nude. The female body was now
transformed into a musical instrument. He also added the title Le Violin d’Ingres, a French idiom that means
“hobby.”
4. Hugo Ball’s Sound Poem Karawane (1916)
Founder of the Cabaret Voltaire and writer of the first Dadaist Manifesto in 1916, most of Ball’s work was in the
genre of sound poetry. In 1916, the same year in which the published the first Dadaist Manifesto, Ball performed the
sound poem Karawane. The opening lines were:
jolifanto bambla o falli bambla
großiga m’pfa habla horem
Hugo Ball
The rest of the poem continued much along the same lines. Though the poem could be confused with random, mad
ramblings, sound-poetry was really a deeply considered method in the experimental literature. The idea was to bring
the sounds of human vocalization to the foreground by removing everything else.
5. Raoul Hausmann’s Mechanical Head (The Spirit of our Time) (1920)
Raoul Hausmann was a poet, collagist, and performance artist, who is best known for his sculpture entitled
Mechanical Head (The Spirit of Our Time). The manikin head made from a solid wooden block is a reversal of
Hegel’s assertion that “everything is mind.” For Hausmann, man is empty-headed “with no more capabilities than
that which chance has glued to the outside of his skull.” By raising these topics, Hausmann wanted to compose an
image that would shatter the mainstream Western conventions that the head is the seat of reason.
One of the great challenges today is that we often feel untouched by the problems of others and by global issues like
climate change, even when we could easily do something to help. We do not feel strongly enough that we are part of
a global community, part of a larger we. Giving people access to data most often leaves them feeling overwhelmed
and disconnected, not empowered and poised for action. This is where art can make a difference. Art does not show
people what to do, yet engaging with a good work of art can connect you to your senses, body, and mind. It can
make the world felt. And this felt feeling may spur thinking, engagement, and even action.
As an artist I have travelled to many countries around the world over the past 20 years. On one day I may stand in
front of an audience of global leaders or exchange thoughts with a foreign minister and discuss the construction of
an artwork or exhibition with local craftsmen the next. Working as an artist has brought me into contact with a
wealth of outlooks on the world and introduced me to a vast range of truly differing perceptions, felt ideas, and
knowledge. Being able to take part in these local and global exchanges has profoundly affected the artworks that I
make, driving me to create art that I hope touches people everywhere.
Most of us know the feeling of being moved by a work of art, whether it is a song, a play, a poem, a novel, a
painting, or a spatio-temporal experiment. When we are touched, we are moved; we are transported to a new place
that is, nevertheless, strongly rooted in a physical experience, in our bodies. We become aware of a feeling that may
not be unfamiliar to us but which we did not actively focus on before. This transformative experience is what art is
constantly seeking.
I believe that one of the major responsibilities of artists – and the idea that artists have responsibilities may come as
a surprise to some – is to help people not only get to know and understand something with their minds but also to
feel it emotionally and physically. By doing this, art can mitigate the numbing effect created by the glut of
information we are faced with today, and motivate people to turn thinking into doing.
Engaging with art is not simply a solitary event. The arts and culture represent one of the few areas in our society
where people can come together to share an experience even if they see the world in radically different ways. The
important thing is not that we agree about the experience that we share, but that we consider it worthwhile sharing
an experience at all. In art and other forms of cultural expression, disagreement is accepted and embraced as an
essential ingredient. In this sense, the community created by arts and culture is potentially a great source of
inspiration for politicians and activists who work to transcend the polarising populism and stigmatisation of other
people, positions, and worldviews that is sadly so endemic in public discourse today.
Art also encourages us to cherish intuition, uncertainty, and creativity and to search constantly for new ideas; artists
aim to break rules and find unorthodox ways of approaching contemporary issues. My friend Ai Weiwei, for
example, the great Chinese artist, is currently making a temporary studio on the island of Lesbos to draw attention to
the plight of the millions of migrants trying to enter Europe right now and also to create a point of contact that takes
us beyond an us-and-them mentality to a broader idea of what constitutes we. This is one way that art can engage
with the world to change the world.
I am convinced that by bringing us together to share and discuss, a work of art can make us more tolerant of
difference and of one another. The encounter with art – and with others over art – can help us identify with one
another, expand our notions of we, and show us that individual engagement in the world has actual consequences.
That’s why I hope that in the future, art will be invited to take part in discussions of social, political, and ecological
issues even more than it is currently and that artists will be included when leaders at all levels, from the local to the
global, consider solutions to the challenges that face us in the world today.
The Link Between Art and Creativity
Creativity is what distinguishes humans from all other species. We create art because it’s an essential part of our
survival. It’s important to represent different cultures, retrace history, evolve as a society, and shape the future of
humanity.
Art is the expression or application of human creative ability and imagination, usually in visual forms such as
painting or sculpture, or in an aural form such as music, creating works that are valued primarily for their beauty or
emotional power.
Creativity is the process of developing new ideas, concepts, beliefs, or solutions.
The term “creativity” is used in various contexts to describe productivity, human intelligence, emotion, and other
qualities associated with creative practice.
The Importance of Art and Creativity in Human Life
Art and creativity are among the most important things in our lives.
We need them to survive.
Art stimulates the human mind and helps people understand the world. It can make a society more stable and give it
direction. It can serve to develop a sense of self-identity.
Art, in all its various forms, offers people the opportunity to express themselves, ask questions, address issues,
document history, and record events as they happen.
It allows people to imagine a new future, explore an alternative universe, and dream up new realities.
Art can inspire people on a grand scale and connect them in peace.
Creativity allows societies to grow through change and accept that things and ideas can evolve over time. This
means that art is critical for the flexibility to accept change – which is crucial for societies that need to adapt quickly
to survive and thrive.
The Importance of Art and Creativity in History
Art is an essential part of human civilization and has been for thousands of years.
From the earliest cave paintings to contemporary works, art has enabled people to communicate ideas, tell stories,
create beauty, and forge new identities.
Art was first used by early human civilizations as a symbolic communication system. Its meaning goes much deeper
than simple communication.
The tools that prehistoric man used were crude by today’s standards, but the purpose was clear: to convey the
meaning of our ancestors through symbols and images.
Through images, writing, music, and dance, these early societies expressed their hopes, dreams, and fears –
everything they needed to communicate with each other.
Does Contemporary Art Matter in Our Modern Society?
Today, we rely on words – because most things are expressed verbally today. But these earlier forms of
communication have influenced contemporary art in many ways – and also modern artists who use these techniques
to express their views and feelings through new creative practices.
For example, graphic design, where graphic designers use technology in their creative process.
Art is a powerful expression of the society in which it’s created. It reflects the values of the time, documents cultural
identity, and forms the basis for new esthetics and trends.
Contemporary art is a way to preserve culture even when societies are disrupted and displaced by war or natural
disasters.
How Art Affects Our Human Experience
Art stimulates the brain and improves your memory
Several studies have found that the presence of artwork in the classroom can increase students’ test scores and
improve their grades.
According to scientific research, even a few minutes of looking at art can boost cognitive skills like
problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity.
Art also improves memory. A study conducted by researchers at Northwestern College found that viewing artwork
such as paintings and sculptures improves the ability to remember information.
Art promotes emotional expression
Art is a universal language that expresses our emotions, whether joy, excitement, sadness or anger. It’s an important
way for us to communicate with each other and share our feelings.
Numerous studies have shown that art therapy can help patients overcome depression and anxiety by encouraging
them to express their feelings through creative outlets such as painting, drawing, or sculpting.
It’s also been shown to relieve pain in cancer patients by lowering stress levels and increasing the production of
endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller.
Art makes you feel
Anyone who’s ever picked up a paintbrush or danced around with a musical instrument knows that creating art can
make you feel great! Studies have also shown that experiencing art has a positive effect on our emotions and makes
us feel more human.
Imagine Living in a World Without Art and Creativity
Imagine living in a world without art and human creativity.
A world without literature, music, theater, and visual arts. A world without paintings, sculptures, symphonies, or
plays.
Sounds pretty boring, doesn’t it?
The arts play an important role in society because they’re the means by which we communicate ideas, feelings, and
emotions to each other.
They provide us with an outlet for expression and imagination. They help us make sense of our lives and the world
around us.
They also inspire other art forms such as architecture, music, and literature, and help preserve culture for future
generations.
Creating something new gives us a sense of accomplishment and joy.
Salakot or Salacot is a piece of head gear that has become a symbol of Filipino identity, often worn by Juan Dela
Cruz the National personification of the Philippines. He is usually depicted wearing the native salakot , the famous
Barong Tagalog, pants, and bakya or tsinelas (local term for thongs).
The material the salakot is made of reflects the natural resources of the Philippines. These are mostly found in the
area, including bamboo, palms, and rattan leaves. Some salakots were coated in a resin to make them waterproof to
protect local farmers and fishermen from the sun and rain.
The history of this head gear can be traced back during the Malay immigration to the Philippine Archipelago. In
Panay Island, the first Malay settlers acquired valleys and plains from Aetas (indigenous people) by paying them
with golden salakot and a manangyad (very long gold necklace).
During the Spanish occupation, the custom of embellishing the salakot was developed. The design has become a
status symbol. Members of Principalia (members of the nobility) began wearing the distinctive type of salakot, made
of tortoise shell or with ornate spike made of silver or gold materials.
The symbolism of the salakot has evolved over time. In the 1800s, native Filipinos were calling for reforms. The
Propaganda Movement wanted the Philippines to be acknowledged as a province of Spain and to be represented in
the Spanish Cortes. The status of the Filipinos and Spaniards was supposed to be equal – as well as the human
rights, for example freedom of speech and press. One of the main goals was also to secularize parishes of the
Philippines. The head gear became the war helmet for the Philippine Revolution.
Filipinos display their ingenuity and artistry through festivals. It has become an annual celebration for the people in
Barangay Balibago (a village in Pampanga) and Municipality of Pulilan. The highlights of the events are street
dancing and parade. The dance is performed mostly by women wearing Balintawak costumes, bakya and of course
the salakot adorned with flowers, beads, and ribbons.
Ang Salakot na Pilipino
Ang Salakot o Salacot ay isang gora na naging simbolo ng pagkakakilanlan ng Pilipino, madalas itong isinusuot ni
Juan dela Cruz ang Pambansang personipikasyon ng Pilipinas. Karaniwan siyang inilalarawan na suot ang
katutubong salakot, ang tanyag na Barong Tagalog, pantalon, at bakya o tsinelas.
Ang mga materyales ng salakot ay sumasalamin sa likas na yaman ng Pilipinas. Karamihan sa mga ito ay
matatagpuan sa lugar, kabilang ang kawayan, palma, at dahon ng rattan. Ang ilan sa mga salakot ay pinahiran sa
isang uri ng dagta upang hindi tinatagusan ng tubig para maprotektahan ang mga lokal na magsasaka at mangingisda
mula sa araw at ulan.
Ang kasaysayan ng gora ay nagsimula sa panahon ng imigrasyon ng mga Malay sa Kapuluan ng Pilipinas. Sa Panay
Island, ang mga unang naninirahan sa Malay ay nakakuha ng mga lambak at kapatagan mula sa Aetas (mga
katutubo) sa pamamagitan ng pagbabayad sa kanila ng ginintuang salakot at manangyad (napakahabang kuwintas na
ginto).
Sa panahon ng pananakop ng Espanya, nabuo ang kaugaliang pag-adorno ng salakot. Ang disenyo ay naging isang
simbolo ng katayuan. Ang mga miyembro ng Principalia (mga kasapi ng maharlika) ay nagsimulang magsuot ng
natatanging uri ng salakot, gawa sa shell ng pagong o may palamuti na spike na gawa sa mga materyales na pilak o
ginto.
Ang simbolismo ng Salakot ay nagbago sa paglipas ng panahon. Noong 1800s, ang mga katutubong Pilipino ay
nanawagan para sa mga reporma. Nais ng Kilusang Propaganda na kilalanin ang Pilipinas bilang isang lalawigan ng
Espanya at maging representante sa Spanish Cortes. Ang katayuan ng mga Pilipino at Kastila ay dapat na pantay pati na rin ang mga karapatang pantao, halimbawa ang kalayaan sa pagsasalita at pamamahayag. Isa sa mga
pangunahing hangarin din ay ang sekularisasyon ng parokya ng Pilipinas. Ang gora ay naging helmet ng digmaan
para sa himagsikang Pilipino.
Ang mga Pilipino ay nagpapakita ng kanilang talino at sining sa pamamagitan ng mga pista. Ito ay naging taunang
pagdiriwang para sa mga tao sa Barangay Balibago (isang nayon sa Pampanga) at Munisipalidad ng Pulilan. Ang
pinakahihintay sa mga nasabing kaganapan ay ang pagsayaw sa kalye at parada. Kadalasan ang mga babae ang
nagsasayaw, nakasuot ng mga costume na Balintawak, bakya at syempre ang salakot na pinalamutian ng mga
bulaklak, kuwintas, at mga laso
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Antique government, through the Provincial Board (PB), is pushing
for the passage of an ordinance declaring the oil painting of national artist Jeremias "Jerry" Elizalde-Navarro as an
important cultural property (ICP) for it to be protected and to get funding for its preservation.
Navarro's "Ang Bulawan nga Sadok" (Golden Salakot) depicting the barter of Panay and measuring 300 centimeters
(cm) in width and stands at 817 cm. including its frame is mounted at the New Capitol Building.
“The artwork by Jerry Elizalde-Navarro depicts the barter of Panay, which is one of the historical legends in the
province of Antique and the entire Panay Island,” Board Member Errol Santillan said in an interview Tuesday.
The barter of Panay legend narrates how Ati ancestors of the province of Antique and Panay, as a whole, exchanged
their inhabited piece of land with the golden salakot (traditional headgear) brought by the Bornean datus (rulers),
who established their first barangay in Barangay Malandog in the Municipality of Hamtic in this province.
The legend is being narrated every year through a reenactment done as part of Antique’s Binirayan Festival.
“By declaring it as an ICP, it will be allocated funding for its conservation,” Santillan said, citing the painting as a
cultural property with exceptional cultural, artistic, and historical significance to Antique.
He added that the Provincial Council on History and Cultural Heritage in cooperation with the Provincial Tourism
and Cultural Affairs Office will coordinate with the National Museum, National Commission for Culture and Arts,
and other cultural agencies for the funding.
“The artwork was painted and given as a gift by Elizalde-Navarro to former Antique Governor Evelio B. Javier and
his wife in September 1982 yet,” he said.
The artwork, which had been hanging at the capitol wall for almost 38 years, needs to be conserved for a portion of
it had already been eaten by termites, he added.
An uncompromising idealist to the modernist cause, Jeremias “Jerry” Elizalde Navarro (1924-1999) thought nothing
of changing his painting style constantly—from minimalism to abstract expressionism, cubism, pointillism,
assemblage, and in his final years, a melodic figurative style that highlighted the female form and the Asian heritage
that he closely aligned himself with since the 80s.
More importantly than stylistic consistency, therefore, Jerry Navarro believed that the inherent creativity of the
human being enabled him to be independent of the demands of the art market and the potentially stifling conditions
of patronage once that market demand has been achieved. It is this calculated rejection of the market, and his
privileging of artistic freedom, that resulted in so many different styles. For as Jerry Navarro pointed out, artistry is
not the result of financial or social success, but rather the ability to forge beyond consensus and compromise in order
to be truly unique and autonomous. This was why style was irrelevant to him.
This idea is integral to the understanding of Modernism as a “stylish” concern, since by “modern style” we actually
refer to an aesthetic feeling rooted in the modern condition: the alienation of the individual through rote work and
repetitious, mechanical labor, for example; or the dissolution of nature into man-made, and therefore abstract, forms.
At the same time, however, we need to situate Jerry Navarro’s idea of Modernist freedom within the Asian
sensibility that he is a pioneer of in the Philippines, one whose Modernist transformations can be likened to a
Buddhist avatar undergoing constant reincarnation.