1/07/2013

Knowing About The Power Of Art

By Maryellen Lamb


To be human has always mean to be somewhat creative. It is nature. Since the beginning of the old days, man has been using artworks to express himself. Exquisite yet quite simple, these channels of communication served man in many purposes in history. They were used as tools for social, cultural, utilitarian, and aesthetic functions. Through them, man was able to acquire a culture needed in fulfilling his nature and was kept safe from being consumed by the world's madness. But these are nothing but mere glimpses. There is still more about the power of art than meets the eye.

Art, as a term, came from several etymologies. It came from the Italian word "artis" which refers to mastery of form, craftsmanship, inventiveness, and the association existing between form and ideas, and materials and techniques. It is also derived from the Aryan word "ar" which means "to put together, " or "to join." Lastly, it also originated from the Greek terms "artizein" and "arkiskein" which means "to prepare, " and "to put together" respectively.

As implied by the given definitions, Art is never natural. It is neither made by nature or accidental. In fact, what distinguishes it from nature is the very fact that it is man-made. Of course, there are existing works that utilizes nature as its materials. Environmental artworks make a concrete example. But these are still made by man. They are not natural formations.

In addition creating artworks requires the interplay of three components namely medium, technique, and elements. Medium, in general, is any physical material used to make a masterpiece. Technique refers to the process, method, or procedure employed to come up with an artwork. The elements on the other hand are the abstract components through which we get to experience art. Examples of these are lines, color, rhythm, and space.

It is important to know about the basic aspects of artworks for one to appreciate them. For one, they are often results of man's experiences. This gives the idea that they are beyond mere images or figures. They are stories of time, perspective, and lives--especially that of their makers'.

Secondly, it is a kind of communication. Beauty and history are not the only things reflected by an artwork. It also influences people and societies with the messages it conveys. As campaign or propaganda paraphernalia, artworks can be effective in gathering attention and sparking a revolution.

Lastly, it is also a way of expressing the self. Fashion, posters, cosmetics, logos, movies, stores, and dances among many others are all forms of human expression. They are ways in which people understand other people, and where they too get understood. And because expressing the self is part of what it is to be human, people get to contribute something to theirs and their fellow's well-being.

The power of art lies not in itself alone but also in man's capacity to appreciate it. A painting can be a masterpiece for one person and it can be just an image for another. The same is true for billboards, posters, films, etc. They can just be images for the untrained eye. But for a person or a community that can appreciate them, they are beyond what they seem. And with recognition, they become powerful enough to catalyze change.




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