Why Art Matters
Art is only as good as its impact on its audience. If a piece does not inspire reflection, action, or consideration, it’s often lost to history. Throughout time, artists have used paint, words, clay, and anything they can use to explore the human experience and what it means to be of a certain culture, station, or perspective. Many of the most powerful pieces are those that speak to issues of identity, forcing the viewer to consider who exactly they are. From ancient philosophers to modern creators, people have wondered why art is so impactful and what exactly makes it such a vital part of humanity. There are so many uses for art and ways that it can impact, teach, and shape us.
Firstly, art is one of the best ways to reinforce the roles of different kinds of people.Whether it be a painting, movie, or novel, the artist is creating a vision of where certain kinds of people fit in or included. However, the point of art, in the words of Leo Tolstoy, is “to make that understood and felt which, in the form of an argument, might be incomprehensible and inaccessible.” Art’s highest purpose is to evoke feelings and convey ideas. Some of the most moving works are those that highlight issues of race, class, and gender to inspire the viewer to ponder these issues.
Art can also help us understand humanity and the universe. Some of the longest lasting works of art are those that have spoken to spiritual thought. These works, such as the Bible, Quran, Buddhist texts, and Hindu poetry, speak extensively on who people are, what their purpose is, and how we’re supposed to interact with the cosmos. These literary masterpieces demonstrate the impact of art on humanity and how one understands their place in society and the world.
However, not all art is used to convey emotions and ideas that better their viewers. Some art conveys ideas of racism, exclusion, and sexism. This sort of art is damaging to the viewers it excludes and limits the voices of those without power. If exclusionary art is widespread, minority viewers may believe that they do not have a prominent place in their society. Even worse, minority viewers may feel that they do not even have the power to do something about their station. But this kind of art also shows us how vital art is in empowering or disenfranchising people and how powerful it really is.
Art also gives a window into the history of one’s nation. Often one must look to literature, music, and art to get any sense of what their nation’s history actually looked like. Yet, the viewer is at the mercy of what those pieces tell them, whether it is accurate or not. The accuracy comes even more into question when considering one’s nation’s relationship with other cultures. For example, while a piece may seem to communicate peace, progress, and prosperity in the colonies of Europe, the actual history of the piece may be a lot more sinister. Misrepresenting history is incredibly dangerous for one’s sense of national identity as it can lead to one not fully understanding the successes and failures in their history. When someone does not have an accurate grasp of their history, one may be proud of atrocious parts of their homeland. On the other hand, one may look at misleading artwork and believe that they just don’t fit the definition of someone from their homeland. It can be hard to tell if all historic artwork is accurate since history is not an objective truth, but a series of stories we tell ourselves. Since art is one of mankind’s best mediums for story-telling, one must acknowledge the connection between art and one’s understanding of their history.
Art gives people an idea of what is possible for someone like them. Looking at a masterpiece of any medium and seeing someone relatable achieve their goals is inspiring. However, not all people get that experience when looking at art and media. Beyonce and Jay-Z’s music video for “Apeshit” was ground-breaking for its injection of blackness into a space that has never placed much value on it, claiming one of the centerpieces of European culture with gleeful defiance. As Beyonce and Jay-Z danced around the Louvre, they made a statement that people of color could rise to their level of success and significance. They bring to light the lack of color in Europe’s definition of success by replacing an ornate symbol of white authority with a celebration of black bodies in motion.
Featuring people of color in great works of art is exciting because it breaks the status quo. Art has frequently told white viewers that they are the successful conquerors, lovers, and rulers, while the people of color can at most become servants. This is incredibly damaging for minority viewers. Just as art can educate one on their place in society, it can also keep them from rising above that place. Art often celebrates the ideal self and the best of beauty, conquest, and achievement. When those ideals seem unattainable for certain kinds of people, it can lead to viewers placing limits on themselves instead of being inspired. Since confidence and belief in one’s potential are such vital parts of one’s sense of self, one must consider what art makes one believe is possible.
Art is so powerful and vital in the ways that it teaches us what kinds of people exist, what our ancestors have done, and what generates success. In any medium, art can inspire and shape how we view ourselves, our homeland, and our potential. Whether art was in the hands of religious leaders, museum curators, or modern musicians, it has been used to educate and influence audiences, and it’s good to remember how many ways art can be used both for and against us. In order to really appreciate art, we first must realize the depth of its impact on us, both when we realize it or not, and be aware of places where new faces, voices, and stories need to be heard.
As we curate and create the Creative Arts Journal, we try to honor the power, importance, and impact of art. History shows us that no culture is truly a culture without art, and that includes our culture here at UNLV.
