16.10.13

A Historical Overview Of Arts Effect On Society

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 times people make these connections due to them being presented in such a form that it will become universal within the thoughts of the viewing public. Over time these simple ideas become more universal and they start motivating people into action. When people follow these new actions based on these ideas or truths it may have the profound effect of altering the world everywhere. America gaining independence, the war against slavery or civil rights are a few notable examples of this happening.

This awareness people start gaining from art will only start enriching cultures when people become motivated based on ideas presented in various art forms. There is a real chance that this could be used in a negative way too. The Third Reich successfully used these concepts when they attempted to dominate the free world. Even though various forms of art may help to make society better, the process requires time and real effort.

To start with the art should be available for society in general. This may be paintings, books, films and music. As it spreads to people its influence will keep growing exponentially. Art will not change things until society can experience it. Films can be watched, books are read, pictures or paintings viewed. By their nature though pieces of art are sometimes banned and destroyed before this can happen.

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 most famous painters Van Gogh did the starry night around 1889. This one painting became a driving factor behind the fledgling impressionist movement. By tossing caution into the wind, many artists could incorporate a more realistic poetic symmetry to what they saw or felt.

Still photographs can be some of the most powerful weapons used across the planet. Around 1963 a nine year old girl got photographed running away from a napalm attack by the South Vietnamese. This picture showed the stark hard truth of the Vietnam war for millions of people. It rose above the ideas of wrong or right and became a significant rallying point for individuals to prevent 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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