We have been asked the following questions (stated below) in regards to visual arts and artists, to which I have given my thoughts (also below).
- Why is visual art important?
Visual arts are a way of visually communicating with one another. Through advertising, illustrations, films, paintings, sculptures, and other forms of visual communication. We use these art forms to tell stories to one another, relate ideas to one another, to inspire one another, to bring out many emotions in one another. We also use these art forms to record each others histories.
Visual arts, music, dance and languages, are all various forms of communication, and each form has its strengths and weaknesses. Visual arts have the ability to pull on emotions, play with image use, create new ways of viewing others and the world, and to bring about the discussion of various topics.
Where as with language, one must understand the language, with visual arts, babies, and peoples who may not all speak the same language are able to view and use the common sense of eyesight.
Visual arts are important to understanding how we as individuals view the worlds around us and inside of ourselves. Visual arts are important in recording our cultures, stories, and histories. Visual arts are important to understanding various aspects of media and multiple perspectives, and of understanding construction and deconstruction. Visual arts are also important as a way of expressing ones self, or of what an individual is thinking and or feeling. In short as one of the major ways of communication world wide, visual arts hold a very important place in society and the human world.
- What role does visual art play in our society?
As stated above, the role of visual arts in our society is vastly important in the way we communicate with one another and understand the worlds around and inside of us.
- We use visual arts in interior design, public works design, clothing design, building design, and in all other design works.
- We use visual arts in recording historical events and stories both societal and personal.
- We use visual arts in museums to represent cultures of the past, and we use visual arts to express new ideas and ways of looking in galleries.
- Thus we use visual arts to examine things in new ways and to bring up discussion and or new ways of thinking and or viewing and or creating, but we also use these arts to record and or preserve stories, histories, and cultures for educational purposes.
- Last we use visual arts in all aspects of our lives as human beings to create decorative aspects, which appeal to our natures and aesthetics in design, dress, and so forth.
- What value is placed upon artists and their art, and why?
The value placed upon artists and their arts is subjective.
There are many areas in which art is subjective in value, in regards to who in particular likes it, and or to what the art speaks to. For example a car designer or fashion designer who is aesthetically on top of trend and game may be highly valued by those in society who enjoy and who can afford the products and brands of these designs. An animator who is just a very small cog in a large machine may be undervalued. Many times it is only through thorough deconstruction of an animation that their work may even come to light. A very good photographer is only as valued as the clients who know him can afford.
And of course that opinion of one states what is good, is also subjective, as there are many perspectives of good.
Also, an artist may be very talented but also shy, and so they may be totally unknown, though still a valid artist. However, because that artist is an unknown, they thus, may not be valued at all.
Another area of subjection is that area in which those in positions of stating whether art is good or not so good make their decisions, and decide who they will write about, who will get the gallery show, or get the magazine write up, etc. An artist must be able to explain and or defend their work. If an artist wishes to be “successful” it would be a good idea for that artist to be in touch with what is going on in the world around them, and try to create art that would either be something unique, and or appealing to the most amount people, or wealthy people.
Ideally for many artists, at the heart, lies true communism, or the ability to create what one would like, without having to worry about funds for food and or shelter, and or lifestyle. Realistically we do not live in an ideal communist society and so then art must be valued. However, in deciding then that art is a commodity, the value of the art and the artist will ultimately lie in the hands of those in power of "grading" art, and or of the supply and demand of the marketplace.
