In your daily routine, as you blast your favourite song on your way to work, as you look at that poster on the billboard, as you watch a movie in the evening — without even noticing, you are surrounded by art.
But the big question is: why is art important?
This question has been asked and answered by many and presented here is simply my view. Perhaps we are so busy in our hectic life, that little do we realize how much art is needed by us human beings. First of all, in my opinion, it is important to differentiate between the human species and the animals species. What I mean to imply is, that we as humans, unlike animals, do not simply need food and shelter as a means of living, but we desire much more than that. We feel the need to express ourselves, we want to be entertained, we search for comfort, we desire to communicate, we seek the spiritual. This difference and this need for the above mentioned, thus, instills in us the longing for something beyond the ordinary.
Many of us, as a consequence, use art in order to express our feelings and emotions — as a way of venting out everything our senses infuse us with. We find an outlet to what we are enduring and hence either find a way to dissolve the unpleasant sentiments or else partake in the trance-like passions. Also, as Aristotle implies, certain forms of art can purify our emotions via what he states as “catharsis”, such as when one watches a tragedy. Hence, art is used as a means of expression and this notion gives us a sense of individuality and identity, which we all seek to pursue.
Moreover, art lets us dive into our very own sub-conscious and delve deeply into ourselves. It helps us get to know ourselves better as we examine our psychology and mindset. Art can be further used as a means of displaying our inner dreams that lie in our unconscious, Salvador Dali’s works being an example of such. Due to the use of art, we are further able to express our creativity and imagination to their full potential. Hence, in my opinion, art makes us human beings, separate entities from the rest of mankind, that, thanks to our rational faculties, can form and give shape to those ideas that tend to be out of our focal awareness.
Art is also a means of entertainment, as we are all aware. We search for it in order to break out of our daily, demanding routine and let it indulge us as it helps transport us into another realm. What is more, art has no cultural, social, or political barrier — but is a language that actually connects all humans together as one. Hence, art can be said to be a means of globalization as it is a way of exchanging the different values, ideologies, and notions that different cultures provide. However, case in point, if one sees for instance a Caravaggio painting, such as ’The Calling of St.Matthew’, it is easier to understand the subject matter if you are familiar with the Christian religion. What I am implying is, that art made in a particular culture might be easier to understand and comprehend if you are from that particular culture. Nonetheless, no matter from what culture you come from, I believe that we can all agree that everyone can appreciate the realism of the painting and the technique used by the artist. Thus, this shows that art is not that limited, but instead it is open and reachable to everyone, no matter the age, ethnicity or gender.
This has only been a short glimpse as to why art is important, but if you open your eyes to the life you are leading, you will realize on your own that art is truly necessary for us humans to function. Basically, as one of the most prominent artists out there, Pablo Picasso implies “Art washes away from the soul th dust of everyday life.”
So, do you think art is important, and if so, why?