Wednesday, March 19, 2014

An Introduction To The Power Of Art

By Jaclyn Hurley


People can be cynical about art. However there is a lot of great artwork out there in the world. Whether it is a hand crafted sculpture or a watercolour there are many ways in which a work of art can have an effect on people. In short it is worth knowing the power of art and how it can affect us in a number of ways.

The fact is that what people describe as art can be very diverse. There are of course the classic masters such as Van Gogh or Renaissance painters such as Michelangelo. These are the pieces that are famous around the world. Some may sell for millions while others are iconic and because of where they are based it is impossible to put a price on them.

What is clear when you see this piece is its power. Michelangelo is an artist who clearly puts passion into his work. The problem is that it is not easy to describe the effect of the piece if you have not seen it in person. Photographs can capture the detail but they do not really capture the feeling when you see it.

The idea of something being powerful is something that can be debated. In terms of films an image can often stay in your mind. Sometimes these powerful images can also be controversial such as the iconic Nazi propaganda piece Triumph of The Will or the DW Griffiths silent epic about the rise of the Ku Klux Klan The Birth of A Nation.

The reaction of a person to a work of art can be different to another. With performance pieces and modern art there tends to be more ambiguity. Therefore the message one person takes from a piece may be different from another. For example while one person may see a violent image another may see something as a representation of the psyche of the artist.

The cynic would say that as soon as this occurred the Banksy mystique was ruined as the anti capitalist subversive became available for sale and his work became a desired item available for the highest bidder. Banksy himself responded to this by creating a picture that mocked his celebrity status and derided the people spending large sums in order to get hold of his work.

This is why art lessons in school are often positive. It gives children space to be creative. While learning techniques are important there is something to be said for giving people the space to be creative and feel confident that they can get engage with something and make something that they will be happy to share with people.

The good thing about the internet is that it is now easier to share art with people around the world. Whether you make your own pieces or you want to share your favourite works with other people there are lots of ways to learn more about the diverse styles of artwork available around the world. It is also worth checking to see what exhibitions and pieces are available in your local area.




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