We Like Art, Art Needs Us?

Hello, lovelies. Now. How do I direct your attention to the domain of fine arts? If I declare that Art and Culture, in a specific sense, are of utmost importance in our society, the number of individuals in agreement with me will, most likely, be so small, I’ll feel I am entirely detached from the Outside World. But, as it’s been acknowledged by many of us, it’s all relative. 


There is an opinion, shared by one group of curious minds, that the voice of our needs and tastes does not favor Art. They believe they see the impact of the circumstances of our living clearly enough, and that the spirit of Art, in its classical form, is so remote from the spirit of our Age, that, every time, it has to elevate itself above our basic need. In a way, it has to fight the constant fight against our Utilitarian side: as a child of freedom, Art is believed to never responding to “the demands of matter”, but always acknowledging “the necessity of our minds”. “The great idol of our age”, Utility is a powerful force that keeps most of the humanity in its “yoke”, reducing the spiritual virtues of Art to a minimum, pushing it out of “the […] market of our century.” 


The borders of Art are shrinking, they say, and the spirit of Philosophical Inquiry and Science are to blame. 


I am disinclined to take the side of the group. If I could engage the members of the group in a dialogue, I would ask them to define Art first and foremost. Possibly, the definition of Needs and Tastes and Utility would be of some interest in the discussion.  But, the explanation of the notion of Reality, in our case, would be most valued. I’m not going to share nor prove my point of view in this article, not yet, anyway, but I am about to remind you:


Throughout the centuries we have been craving Beauty. And, as subjective as Beauty has always been, craving it, on the other hand, is something of a human need. If we see Art as part of the realm of Beauty, the desire for Art becomes the force that does not diminish, but expands the spiritual virtues of Art, therefore occupying a greater space in the market of our century. (Please forgive me, Herr Friedrich Schiller!)


PS: In a simpler conclusion: We like Art, sometimes we need Art. Art needs us, although I am doubtful about it liking us. Its borders are not shrinking and, there is a chance that, the Philosophical Inquiry and Science could become Art- enhancing catalysts, adding to its efficiency as part of the realm of Culture.


PPS: I will be funnier in my next article, God willing.

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