Wednesday, 9 October 2013

An Overview Of Arts Effect On Society In Historical Context

By Catalina Nielsen


Most art has a special way of displaying truths and ideas to the public that most mediums can not do. This may be various ideas or thoughts about humanity, the world, religion or more specific things. These revolutionary truths and ideas can be so entirely profound that that through time arts effect on society is even felt in rural areas.

Many people can make these connections because they are presented in a way that often it becomes universal in the minds of the viewers. As time passes these ideas start becoming more universal and motivate people to take action. When people start following this action based on their new ideas or truths it could have the basic effect of changing things everywhere in the world. The U. S. Gaining independence, civil rights and the war against slavery are just a few examples of historical events where this happened.

The awareness people gain from art will only enrich cultures if people take action based on the ideas that are presented in art. There is also a chance that this can be used negatively as well. The Third Reich used this concept when they tried to dominate the world. Even though different forms of art can help make society better, it is a process that requires time and effort.

To begin with the art must be available to society in general. This can be paintings, films, books or even music. As it spreads out to people the influence it gains will grow exponentially. Art can not change things until it is experienced. Films must be watched, books read, pictures and paintings viewed. By their very nature various pieces of art can be banned or destroyed before this happens.

A controversial movie that helped define women's rights was the film deep throat. Even though it became classified as pornographic and banned in several cities, women every where embraced it and the idealistic freedoms it portrayed on the screen. There is ongoing speculation that if this influential movie not been on the big screen, women's rights may have been pushed back by a decade or more.

One of the best known painters VanGogh finished the starry night in 1889. This single painting became one of the factors leading to the impressionist movement. Painters threw any caution to the wind and by doing this were able to finally incorporate a more poetic symmetry to what they were felt and saw.

A still photograph can be one of the most powerful weapons in the world. In 1963 a young girl was photographed running from a napalm attack by South Vietnamese forces. This single picture brought home the stark reality of the Vietnam war to millions of Americans. It transcended the ideas of right and wrong and became a major rallying point for those wanting to stop American involvement in Vietnam.

Most influential art forms create a connection between society and the viewer. This needs to happen in order for arts effect on society and culture to happen. Even art from the past could resurface to be seen in different ways. This is how societies can potentially start evolving over time to something better.




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