Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Learn More About The Power Of Art

By Crystal Salazar


Art has been a powerful tool ever since mankind has walked upon this earth. Initially it would appear to have been used as a means of communication. The power of art does seem quite a logical standpoint to make if you think back to the times of early man.

During those times these individual tribes and clans were largely nomadic, there may well have been something resembling speech but no one can say for certain. They would have required a way to pass information between themselves, which might have been the best hunting areas or the location of fresh water. The cave paintings might well have helped to serve this purpose. As art is universally understood, it doesn't take too much imagination to see that this could have been a distinct possibility.

There are many people who will be familiar with the old adage "A picture paints a thousand words", and this seems to bear out the theory that art is a universal language. Art, as a medium, has been used to impart, or enforce, messages for a very long time. Art was seen as an ideal medium for spreading the word about religion to the masses. As a consequence art and religion are often seen as being hand in hand.

At that time the population were largely illiterate, and any education that they had did come verbally. The various religious teachings would often be emphasized by works of art held in large churches and cathedrals. Over time these depictions came to be accepted as the normal image associated with a particular religious teaching.

The awareness about the power of art has been about for a long time. This is possibly why, in times of conflict, governments and military units establish propaganda units. These can be used to sway public opinion and attitude, or even to increase the public's sense of national identity. Both sets of protagonists will try to convince their own public that their cause is justified.

The public's point of view can be successfully manipulated to take a different standpoint to what it would normally take. For example, prior to WWII there were very few women in heavy industry, but following a successful poster campaign this changed. The parameters about this social aspect were redrawn, largely thanks to the medium of art.

Even today art is still being used to great effect against the public. Just pick up any magazine and find a picture that is being used to market a product or brand. Even though it is an advertisement it can also be considered as art, despite a camera being used and not brushes and paints.

So throughout history, art has been utilized as a powerful instrument. Some may feel that it has been used for either good or bad purposes. It has left society with glimpses about how the world used to be, and with that it is possible to see how it has changed. When you consider that this is just the artist's, and his sponsor's, viewpoint, then maybe the power of art is still being used.




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