Philosophical Questions: Art

[ysabetwordsmith]

People have expressed interest in deep topics, so this list focuses on philosophical questions.

What benefits does art provide society? Does art hurt society in any way?


Key benefits include:

* an outlet for self-expression and communication

* which leads directly to useful discussions about current issues

* beauty in public spaces, which is good for mental health

* a safety valve for discontent that is not violence (e.g. rude graffiti) I am a big fan of trains as rolling public art galleries.

* history, because often all we have left of lost civilizations is their artistic content in durable materials (e.g. statues, decorations on buildings, clay pots)


Further Resources

https://madhansart.com/importance-of-art/

https://www.thestudiodirector.com/blog/importance-of-art-in-society/

http://artlightinc.com/art/importance

https://drawingsof.com/why-is-art-important/


http://artloftasia.com/blog/5-benefits-of-practicing-art/

https://canadianart.ca/features/7-things-everyone-needs-to-know-about-art-disability/

https://www.adultsandcrafts.com/blogs/blog/166165703-the-top-ten-benefits-of-crafting-for-adults

https://momlovesbest.com/benefits-of-art-for-kids

https://artfulparent.com/the-benefits-of-art-for-kids/

https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/the_benefits_art_therapy_can_have_on_mental_and_physical_health

https://www.pinalcentral.com/casa_grande_dispatch/health_and_wellness/the-many-benefits-of-arts-and-crafts-for-seniors/article_9515e810-e16b-11e5-8e95-57cb42f7b2a1.html

https://artfromthestreets.org/blogs/news/positive-benefits-of-creating-art


https://becomeawritertoday.com/creative-hobbies/

https://dayswithgrey.com/art/50-art-activities-for-kids/

https://www.shihoriobata.com/blog/creative-hobbies/

https://9creativelives.com/2012/12/150-activitieshobbies-to-start-or-revist-when-youre-bored/

https://www.newlifestyles.com/blog/6-hobbies-and-crafts-to-take-up-in-retirement

https://www.ableize.com/disabled-arts/crafts-and-hobbies/

https://scootaround.com/en/27-fun-hobbies-for-wheelchair-users-that-arent-basketball


"If you year a voice inside you say, 'You cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."

Comments

Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

It depends on the society, but also the artist.

Some art is meant to question, to disturb, even to provoke.

Some art is meant to soothe, to reflect, to heal.

There are many reasons for art, and many benefits from it. You can't reduce it down to one.

I'm not an artist by trade, but I do a variety of artistic things for different purposes. I've made crystal window dangles because they are pretty. One of those has a weathered wood hanger, because I like wabi-sabi aesthetics and it contrasts nicely with the precise and brightly colored prisms. I've made memorial scrapbook pages in honor of my mother. That's art as healing, but also, as timebinding.

Look at the two approaches of art to potholes:

* Make it beautiful.

* Make it rude enough that the city will fix it.

Both of these are important public art, they are equally valid responses to the same problem, but they take opposite trajectories in attempting to solve it. Art does that a lot.

Re: Well ...

[(Anonymous)]

>>I'm not an artist by trade,...<<

I would argue that you are, with words. Poetry, songs, and stories are all art.

Re: Well ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

Wordsmith, yes, and that is a type of cultural material.

I was referring more to visual art. I'm good at a variety of crafts. In terms of 2D art, my eye for color and composition are completely intact, but I don't draw or paint well in this life. Things like scrapbooking I can still do because they use different skills.

Re: Well ...

[(Anonymous)]

>>I was referring more to visual art.<<

That's where we are diverging then. To me art is something like 'deliberate arraingement of stimuli a) in a pleasing manner or b) to stimulate emotions.'

So to me, cooking, dancing, sign-singing, perfumery, braiding hair, etc can all count as art.

>>In terms of 2D art, my eye for color and composition are completely intact, but I don't draw or paint well in this life.<<

I still think you don't have to paint or draw to be an artist.

I can draw, but I certainly can't do all the tricks I've seen used. (I am less good at painting.)

I can still appreciate other folk's skill though.