Art and Social Constraints

[ad_1]

Art and more particularly, works that manifest it is generally known to the paramount expression of human creativity, uniqueness and brilliance. It both appeal to the aesthetic inclinations of society as well as the imaginative realm of human consciousness. It is treated as a hallmark of an advanced culture and cherished as a significant contribution to the social progression of the community. However, in many cases and even in the most progressive and mature of societies Art still is contained in a certain degree of myopia in terms of how it is experienced.

Art by its very nature can be viewed and appreciated in many levels. This often becomes the premise of the notion that almost anything can be considered as art. And this is where the controversy arises in most societies. Art often come in conflict with social constraints. After all part of what it does is to force upon society a critical reexamination of norms, value, popular notions and established precepts of a community. Things involving nudity, profanity, vulgarities are seen as atrocious to the accepted trend in society. Thus, they get branded as an undesirable work. However, is art really such? Alternatively, are the conservative values of some communities out of line?

It can be contended that Art being seen as vulgar and lewd is constraining its appreciation in a particular point of reference – in this case conservative values. Beyond this limiting perspective art can be in a myriad of ways. Each individual has a different take on it as the artist has his work as a different take on life and his experiences. Oscar Wilde said:” Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.” This emphasizes the value of art as something that transcends a particular perspective and understanding. As such it appeals to each member of society differently.

Some contend that this phenomenon is a natural consequence of social development in terms of culture and values formation. Art conflicts with social constraints since the former openly challenges the later. The later is actually built to curtail the former. The former by its essence is an effort to shatter that curtailment. This is best embodied in the concept of a thesis versus anti – thesis, which yields to a synthesis. However, what synthesis can be had from the clash of art and the restraints prevalent in a particular society?

Social evolution, in most cases, best forward with the clash of art and the social constraints it assails. By and large, conventions are destroyed when the mindset and consciousness of society opt to reject the same. This rejection is when new ideas that challenge established notions are accepted as viable and socially relevant. Art is the foremost manifestation of new ideas or are vessels for the same. As such it is a powerful catalyst for social change and in the long run social evolution. Since it is a fact that culture is dynamic art is an integral component of that particular dynamism. Art challenges social norms as represented by constraints in turn the later evolves to accommodate the former. This results to a new culture for society to cherish.

[ad_2]

Source by Paul Wesker