Recent update

Subscribe to RSS feed

The Importance of Art

March 23rd, 2008 by kmccu0sh

Last week we had a very extensive discussion about art and why it is important and why can’t people take the time to appreciate it.  I think we were talking about a lot of valid and significant points, but I have to stand by what I said about it all being subjective.  I completely agree that art is important and, yes, I would be upset if the arts were removed from schools and I do need to figure out how to express why, but I can’t help taking a more broad view of the subject at the same time.  The importance of art is clear to those of us who are directly involved in and devoted to it, but it is not that clear to everyone, and does it really have to be?  On Wednesday, we were talking as if it did, as if it were absolutely crucial for everyone to understand the value of art and to take the time to appreciate it.  As shocking and sad as it might be, though, there are people who don’t need art in their lives, who live for their work, or are consumed by something else in their life that art doesn’t come into play, and that works for them; they may not even notice that anything is missing.  I am not saying that I am OK with this or that these people aren’t missing out on something that could change their lives, but I am saying that they have every right to live that way.

I can’t help but want to compare it to religion, which might be a bad idea, but I am going to give it a try.  I may think that faith and belief in God should be a part of everyone’s lives, that it has shaped and affected me in ways that nothing else can, but I would never presume to make someone believe those things against their will.  Why do we find the need to do such a thing with art?  Perhaps these two examples do not belong together, and I welcome arguments to that effect, but I wanted to put my ideas into more comprehensive, articulated thoughts after giving them some more attention.

All of that said, I will reiterate the fact that art is infinitely important in my life in all forms and I would never dream of diminishing its power.  I just think that it is important to think of the bigger picture, beyond our own beliefs and realize the subjectivity of art and its meaning to every person with different circumstances.

Posted in Uncategorized | | 0 Comments

Leave a reply


 

Spam prevention powered by Akismet