The Changing World Of Art And Society

Within the art world its easy to get caught up in trends , worldwide exhibitions and the sheer vast scale of art across the globe. However every so often it can be rewarding to step back from inside the art world and asses the impact that it has had on wider society and the benefits and joy it can bring to others. In addition to this art has been used in the past and still in the present to make political and social change as well as changes.

Popular “Grassroots Art”

Recently the artist known by the street name “Banksy” has become one of the most renowned street artists worldwide. Banksy incorporates urban style into his murals and often makes secret trips to locations across the UK painting murals on rundown or unused buildings or properties. Initially when he started his career the UK authorities tried to wash away what they deemed Graffiti. However as time went on and his popularity grew so did the monetary and social value of his artwork.

It is not uncommon for people to travel several hours to see a new banksy artwork that has appeared somewhere. Nowadays Banksy’s artworks can fetch into the millions at auctions. In one of his most recent stunts his artwork had a shredder built into the frame which made the art partially self destruct just after it was being sold at auction. It can be argued that many councils and government organisations have double standards when it comes to distinguishing between art and graffiti as all art is subjective.

Alternative Art Forms

In society when someone mentions art many people outwith the art world will typically associate this with someone with a painting pallet and a canvas. However art has a wide variety of different forms and can be attributed to millions of unique artworks , performances and stunts. One Such form of art on the more extreme and obscure ends of the scale is known as sabotage art. One example of this in action is illustrated by a Czech artist known as Ivan Kafka.

One Night Ivan arranged over one thousand wooden sticks along the main street. He left the residents with a choice of trampling the sticks which was then considered an Illegal act or not showing up for work. This could be misconstrued as a practical joke. However it signified wider ramifications of freedom of expression for both the artist and those workers waking up bemused to find their street covered completely by wooden sticks.

Art And Society – The Establishments

Art is free and open to be experimented with by everyone and is a way in which to channel inner thoughts as well as ideas and messages. Governments and dictators over the years have understood the significance of art and the effect that it can have on people. As a result there have been a number of artworks of recent years by dictators and governments alike to celebrate their leaders and leadership.

One of the most significant characters to display this trait was Saddam Hussein. Across Iraq when the US and the UK entered the country to overthrow the regime they came upon mural after mural of the leader. Furthermore the toppling of Saddam’s massive statue in Baghdad the countries capital was symbolic of the end of an era and the Iraq war. It could be argued that that the toppling of his statue was in its own right a form of sabotage art as it was pulled down by the very people he ruled over for many years.

Art And Society Conclusions

Overall it can be said that art and society have a close and complex relationship which is constantly changing and have effects on social and political issues. Art will continue to play an important role within society even outwith the mainstream limelight.