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

[warriorsavant]

Never sure if Judy Collins originated "Bread and Roses," it she updated a traditional, true, folksong. Either way, I've always found it striking.

Addendum: just looked it up. Exact origin of phrase unclear, but used by suffragettes and labor unions (mostly female ones) c1911, incorporated into a poem, and set to music by several artists. Now that I know that... still find it striking.

[acelightning73]

My great-grandmother was a Lowell mill girl, originally from the north of Ireland. SHe met, was courted by, and married a Scottish-born carpenter. (I know he courted her. I have a necklace that belonged to her, and I knew him before he died, and I can just imagine him putting aside a bit from his pay-packet in order to buy something pretty for his pretty girl!) So whenever I sing Bread and Rose, I sing it with my great-gramdma's voice :-)

[warriorsavant]

That’s charming

[acelightning73]

Our ancestors were people too, with personal desires like ours. They had to work for their living, they fell in love and started families, and expressed themselves in their own arts.

As the song says, 'As we come marching, marching, a million women dead, Go crying through our singing, their ancient call for bread. Small art or love or beauty their drudging spirits knew - Yet it is bread we cry for, and we cry for roses too!"

[acelightning73]

I seem to come from a long line of people who didn't do what they were expected to do (one ancestor was on the Mayflower), and did it extremely well.

[acelightning73]

Most of my ancestors were people who didn't do what was expected of them. I try to carry on the tradition.