Why Art Matters - By: Charles Griffith

Is art still relevant in the modern world, a world growing ever more complex and technological in nature? This was a question first posed in the 19th century when photography threatened to replace the artist and his canvas. Yet throughout history, despite cultural shifts, wars, censorship and technological advances, art has always found its way, filling a need that is uniquely human.

So why are the arts so important to us? Art refines the feelings and emotions---no other field of human endeavor can do this; whether painting, poetry or music, art appeals to our souls in a way that is unmatched by any other activity. Art is considered one of the "humanities", along with science, language, philosophy, etc, and as the name implies it is these fields that define us as human beings---we are human because we can think, reflect, communicate and appreciate, precisely the qualities the liberal arts encourage and develop.

Art fosters an appreciation of the world around us, of our place in it, and offers an insight into the feelings and perceptions of others. A single look at one of Vincent Van Gogh's self-portraits will tell the viewer more about this man and his life than a dozen biographies could ever do.

While Shakespeare, Rembrandt and Beethoven may only be for the relatively few who are able to appreciate such monumental accomplishment, art in general is for everyone---popular music, film, poster art is usually mediocre and overly-commercial at best, but it is still art, and is accessible to anyone. Even a poorly educated person has a taste for some type of music, or enjoys a good movie. In an age where popular culture is largely generic, and our overpopulated society is increasingly technological, the arts can help to keep these dehumanizing influences at bay.

While art is necessary for its audience, it also serves as a necessary path of creativity for the artist as well; to create is a normal human attribute. Few things in life are as rewarding to the artist as the act of creation; taking an idea that exists only in his mind, and making it become a reality. And the artist will always be able to do what the camera cannot---show the viewer how he feels about the subject before him.

There is an acquaintance of mine, who is technologically savvy, with a great mathematical and logical mind, yet never seems to "get it", lacking in perception and understanding---the richness of the arts could help here, turning a two-dimensional person into someone of depth. The perception, sensitivity and imagination that the arts foster would also prove a beneficial influence on the leaders of our society, who usually suffer from a notable lack of these essential qualities.

The "liberal arts" are now largely dismissed in our education system, a great loss for both society and the individual. A society's art and culture have always been one of the most lasting facets of any civilization throughout history---what we know of Greece, Rome and Egypt, as with other ancient civilizations, is known through their architecture, sculpture and painting. Along with tools, cave paintings and carved statuettes are the earliest cultural artifacts we have from the first modern humans. In America, despite our otherwise bland and commercialized culture, we are still fortunate to count many great painters, sculptors, architects, composers, writers and film makers as part of our legacy for future civilizations.

There have always been and will always be those who fail to see the value of art and the humanities, and of course there are other aspects to life that also have great importance. But to ignore the arts is to neglect the very qualities that make us human: the need to create, the need to communicate, and the capacity for feeling.

About the Author

The artwork of the author, Charles Griffith, can be found at charlesgriffith.tripod.com/ and he can be contacted at charles_griffith@lycos.com. Charles Griffith's interest in art began in childhood, and was encouraged by his family. Later, while serving in the U.S. military in Europe, he was inspired by seeing firsthand some of the treasures of European art. Today his art focuses on traditional realism, often with elements of Expressionism and Surrealism.

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