The contribution of arts in society has always been a subject of dispute – about how art moulds social structures and individual conduct. Some philosophers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau have thought about the aesthetic goals of art, which not only appeals to the senses but also affects society. Rousseau wanted to use art as a means for moral edification and the enhancement of individuality (Rousseau). In his view, the purpose of art was to guide individuals towards the formation of moralized feelings and attitudes, which consequently would result in the creation of a peaceful and united environment. Thus, the notion of art as a form of an instrument of taste and behaviour formation is still valid nowadays because art become a powerful tool for socialism commenting and changing. As Rousseau puts it, arts and sciences have been successful in corrupting morals since time immemorial. The moral integrity of the community, as opposed to intellectual development, is what Rousseau expresses. He does not regard the arts as having a harmless effect but names them as a source of corruption and erosion of morality in man.
One instance in which an artist is a government-funded artist is Banksy, a street artist who is recognized for his works of art that carry political messages. Banksy is satiric in most of his artworks, and in his commentary on the existing government schemes and people’s norms, he often uses art as a way to practice his politics (Kabir). However, an individual artist like Ai Weiwei is a designer and producer himself who integrates his sensitive traits into all products. This implies that governments themselves have to specify how much they intend to fund the arts. Over and above, for instance, no artist would have no option but to go alone or independently in case a government was no longer ready to offer funds. Among the major roles of the government is to sponsor artists through monetary funding; nevertheless, this has a flip side as it may imply the government can control or even regulate artistic freedom. There were two points spoken in this topic by Rousseau (Rousseau). The first was about how the bigger the government, the less secure people become and the more confusing things are. In fact, a government that takes care of people could not be symbolized as a true expression of the initial freedom for which they were originally born. Lastly, these people tend to be depressed by the sense of liberty because they are so adapted that no one is able to bear it.
Moreover, the arts by Jean Jacques Rousseau, which include film, music, dance and art, are effective in transforming society since they manipulate emotions, behaviours and values of individual residents in the society. These disciplines, movies, art, dance and music, have a deep and wide impact on society. These creative outlets offer the ability to move people emotionally, lay down new paradigms, and outgoing thinking (Rousseau). There is one who personifies this concept- Banksy, a popular street artist who is always a subject of controversy because of his politically conscious artworks. Contrary to the events in the contemporary world, the art movement, which was just an act of vandalism or painting on someone’s owner’s property, has turned out to be an important pictorial instrument that symbolizes the movement for social liberation.
Similarly, Banksy is well known for having a satirical and provocative style that pushes aesthetical boundaries, criticizes the current societal and political systems, and makes the viewers think of important social issues. His art is basically a means of protest and activism as it uses images to express artists’ ideas and induce positive social transformation (Kabir). Through his challenging articles, in which he focuses on things like government wiretapping, ecology’s deterioration, overconsumption, and social inequalities, Banksy has forced us to rethink those issues. His works of art have brought a certain degree of buzz, arguments and reflections among visitors, showing that art is capable of having a significant effect on both shaping public opinion and driving the social change process. This is the reason that he captured His audiences with the notions of anti-consumerism, anti-authoritarian, nihilism, and boredom in His artwork.
If a piece of art is created during a historical period, it might end up being influenced by the events of the era, and vice versa. The example of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s can be drawn since it was a cultural movement that came to be as a result of the injustices that existed during the time. If taken as a case in point, after a few years, the Waterloo Bridge London painting was removed and recreated and then auctioned. Many of Banksy’s artworks distinctly contain social and political meanings, and quite a few of his pieces are a commentary on the current situation (Kabir). For example, his mural, the girl who let go of the balloon, showed that the balloon turned out to be a red protest symbol and could be interpreted as an answer to both epidemic and global conflicts. The focus of this work is on the suffering wild individuals who happen to be in the zone of military assault and appeal for mercy and compassion under such circumstances.
In a nutshell, the part played by art in society is dual and very complicated. Artists possess the power to debunk stereotypes because of thought and stimulate modification through the creations they make. Rousseau and other thinkers’ philosophies can help to gather a higher understanding of the artistic goals and the art’s influence on society. Through both their projects, art organizations present a lot of culture-related trends, expressing democratic principles and values. As we cross the ocean of arts and culture, we need to find the right way how to use our creative power to serve our society and country improvement.
Works Cited
Kabir. 5 Contemporary Graffiti Artists You Should Know. A powerful art movement to spread social emancipation. Published in Lessons from History, Sep 13, 2020.https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/5-contemporary-graffiti-artists-you-should-know-463fb618cacd
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. Discourse on the Arts and Sciences. University of Adelaide Library, 2009. https://pdf.smpn1turen.sch.id/pdf/jean-jacques-rousseau-1750-discourse-on-the-arts-and-sciences.pdf
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