Arts

TOPIC: ISSUE144 - "It is the artist, not the critic,* who gives society something of lasting value." I do agree with this quotation, insofar it puts emphasis on the significant role artists play in our society. However, the author overlooks the contribution critics have made in conveying the lasting values of arts to our society. Initially, from my perspective, artists are a group of people who record our history subjectively and look forward into future imaginatively. Through their works of art, we are able to trace back to our history. During the Medieval and the Renaissance, for instance, when the society were preoccupied with Christian, paintings were mostly based on Christian themes- the Trinity, Virgin birth of Christ, to name just a few. Later in 17th or 18th century, accompany with the emerging genteel class, new capitalists found themselves reflected in Monet and Renoir's paintings. Arts is an invaluable and unique mirror of the culture of the time during which the work was produced- a mirror for the artist's contemporaries and for future generations to gaze into for insight and appreciation of history. Also, their works of arts contribute to convey some breaking through thoughts to our society. Dali's paintings are famous for his cutting-edge thoughts about time and space, inspiring the philosophers aftertime. And so do Wesley’s scientific fictions, which are full of fantastic illusions, predict the science development in the future. At the same time, critics emerged as twins of artists. Critics serve to interpret arts, so as the world can understand these master pieces. Without critics, a person, knowing nothing about art history, are not able to appreciate the paintings in Renaissance and Medieval, neither can a person, knowing nothing about philosophy, consider Dali's paintings more than doodling. Critics draw people attention to these master pieces of works, and implant their own thoughts inside their interpretations, thus conveying the lasting values of arts to people. Moreover, critics are of great significant in nowadays society as a role to select valuable works of art for the public. Today, there are too many work published in the modern society. Every year, numerous art work such as movies, books and the like are produced by the editors. It is highly possible that a new novel by a best-selling author, after critics’ close scrutiny, is proved to be a tiresome effort. Hence, we need critics as evaluators who filter bad arts from the worthwhile. Overall, as it has been discussed above, artists and critics are like twins. Artists are valuable to our society because they create pieces of art that lift our spirit and put us more in touch with our feelings, foibles and fate. Meanwhile, society needs critics to interpret these master pieces to the public. In final analysis, it is the combination of artists and critic that gives the society something of lasting value.