Reflections on the arts, their purpose and their effect

 Reflections on the arts, their purpose and their effect

 

There are many reasons for producing art in the form of drama, music, books and images: they may entertain by indulging the emotions, the senses, the mind and the imagination; they may inform by providing detail of events and people of public interest; they may invite reflection by drawing attention to aspects of life and society and inviting consideration of positive and negative aspects of attitudes and actions, possibly with a view to influence thought or effect change. Many books and films have been produced in order to emphasise the effects of certain ideas or social attitudes and outlooks, or to act as a warning of the consequences of actions or lack of action.

There are many branches of the arts and some may view their purpose as confined principally to entertainment or academic study, and they may feel that only practical action and its consequences will bring about change. Much depends on the character of individual viewers, readers or listeners, but the arts may be seen as providing the intellectual stimulus or emotional basis for change or development.

Society needs the arts to provide focus for intelligent thought, analysis and evaluation of society, with observation of the human condition and an objective review of the direction in which society is travelling. The arts invite people to see things from a fresh or different perspective and may encourage critical thinking, compassion, tolerance and fairness, qualities that form the basis of a successful and peaceful society.

One may ask how to define “success” in the arts. Traditionally, success is measured by result, but could success in the arts also be related to purpose? The arts have encapsulated life, invited reflection and have offered guidance, even warnings, for centuries, yet there are times when they appear to have had little positive effect on society and outlook, apart from serving as entertainment and providing food for thought. The arts will rarely bring about change in themselves but they may lay the foundations of thought and awareness that will lead to change and evolution as our minds are influenced, perhaps almost imperceptibly, by an effort to enable us to see and understand differing thoughts, viewpoints and outcomes.

Inspiring change or building awareness may be an elusive objective for many artists but hope and purpose sustain the spirit and feed the soul. While success can be validating and comforting, “artists” are driven primarily by the ongoing task of exploring emotion, thought and ideas, and identifying truths and principles in life. Unfortunately, not everyone shares their ambition or is willing to listen and it is the continued struggle for clarity, comprehension, critical thinking and perhaps persuasion, that propels them.

 

My thanks for taking the time to read this article. I hope you found it of some value.

Stuart Fernie (stuartfernie@yahoo.co.uk)