The humanities have had a rough time lately. It seems that when hard economic times roll around, the humanities are the first lines to get shaved out of the budget. You have to wonder if, when times are better, those lines will be restored or increased in any capacity. This is a loss in more ways than one. Obviously, less money to the arts and humanities means fewer artistic creations and performances, which is regrettable, but what about the long term implications?
When I was much younger, I remember going to a concert of The Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, in my hometown of West Palm Beach. (Ironically, the Florida Phil has since gone under). This was shortly after the September 11th, 2001 attacks, and everyone in our great country was still very much in mourning. During the concert, the conductor addressed the audience and spoke of the place of the arts in times such as these. The conductor mentioned that, in times of war, some critics question the importance of the arts and say that they offer no solutions in the face of such serious matters. This comment was met with sounds of discomfort from the audience. The conductor went on to say that this sort of thinking should be challenged. There is a reason that the humanities are called such – they are what make us human. In times of national need and mourning, we need to get in touch with our humanity more than ever. Using the arts as a channel, we must get back in touch with our friends and our family, as well as ourselves. Now that we are in another crisis of an economic nature, I believe that this need of the humanities still stands.
I think this argument for the importance of the arts and humanities can even be taken a step father. Beyond the individual, there is a societal need for the humanities. One of the things that strikes and disturbs me most about this recession is that not too many people seemed to see it coming. A few economists and political advisors raised a red flag, but obviously not enough to really make a difference. That is alarming. All these economists and social scientists, and people with intellectual capacities off the charts, yet we, as a society, were not able to stop this or even predict it? So much for economic forecasting. Yet, when you look at the arts, they are often ahead of the curve. Authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald denounced materialism before the Great Depression gave us a tangible record of its damage. Stravinsky and his contemporaries foreshadowed the First World War by introducing a sense of chaos into music. Even Hollywood seemed to take up the fight against McCarthyism before Capitol Hill did. The arts have always had a prophetic power.
I am not saying that composers should replace economists, but I do believe that the predictive ability of the humanities holds a valuable place in our society. Instead of restricting the influence of the arts when times are tough, perhaps we should be looking to this influence for guidance.
Although pulling out a pocket book is only one of many ways to attack the problem of the diminishing significance of the humanities in our lives, I would be remiss if I didn't mention it. "Sometimes cutting back just isn't an option", one of the slogans of the BSO's recent funds drive, fits in rather nicely with the point's I'm presenting.
Showing posts with label arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label arts. Show all posts
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Global Crisis and Art
The economic crisis we are currently in has the entire world shaken to its core. Obviously, this is a terrible thing for everybody – the arts very much included. News of budget cuts is everywhere, and you don’t have to look very far to see something about cut backs that are specifically targeting the arts or cultural programming. As terrible as this all is, I have to wonder if there is a silver lining to it.
It seems that crises have always been excellent catalysts of artistic creation. Just to look back at the 20th century, a period that seems particularly characterized with instability, one can find
enough examples to fill unlimited pages. First, and perhaps most importantly, the First World War shattered the paradigm of western culture. The effects of that conflict engulfed the whole of society, but were particularly felt in the arts. In the field of painting, look at Otto Dix, George Grosz, and Francis Bacon (one of his works seen at the right) for visceral evidence of this. In literature, Hemingway is a prime example. In music, Schoenberg and the Second Viennese School, and atonalism in general had their roots in this period. Although Stravinsky was said to have famously broken the romantic tradition in western music with his Rite of Spring (which debuted in 1913, before the First World War) you don’t have to listen to too much music from that period to know that the upheaval created by the Great War is what really pushed things over the edge. Similarly, the Second World War brought out excellent art in the most terrible ways. My favorite example is Shostakovich’s devastating 7th Symphony, titled Leningrad, which was inspired by the German siege of that city in 1941. In addition to these calamities, there was the Great Depression, the conformity of the 1950’s, McCarthyism, the Cold War, etc. All of these things, however terrible, provided a great degree of horrific inspiration to artists in every field and region of earth.
What is it about times of tension that create such good art? There is no answer to that. Obviously, emotions run high in times like these, and there is definitely no lack of subject matter.
I think there is also something to be said for the way that these crises mandate the reformation of the national character and consciousness. The art of WWI exposed the failings of the radical nationalism that had paralyzed Europe at the beginning of the century, and the art of the 1950’s definitely did what it could to poke holes in the blind conformity that was sweeping the country. As cliché as it is, I love The Great Gatsby because I appreciate Fitzgerald’s critique of the warping of the American Dream during the 1920’s. This might not have been an economic crisis, but he definitely argued that it was a moral one.
How will the current global crisis play out in the art world? Like the 1920’s the materialism and greed which crept into the American Dream forced us to painfully reevaluate our personal and cultural positions. Although I can not say I enjoy the situation that we are in, I will say that I am interested in, and have high hopes for, the music and art it will inspire. I guess it’s a little something to look forward to.
It seems that crises have always been excellent catalysts of artistic creation. Just to look back at the 20th century, a period that seems particularly characterized with instability, one can find
enough examples to fill unlimited pages. First, and perhaps most importantly, the First World War shattered the paradigm of western culture. The effects of that conflict engulfed the whole of society, but were particularly felt in the arts. In the field of painting, look at Otto Dix, George Grosz, and Francis Bacon (one of his works seen at the right) for visceral evidence of this. In literature, Hemingway is a prime example. In music, Schoenberg and the Second Viennese School, and atonalism in general had their roots in this period. Although Stravinsky was said to have famously broken the romantic tradition in western music with his Rite of Spring (which debuted in 1913, before the First World War) you don’t have to listen to too much music from that period to know that the upheaval created by the Great War is what really pushed things over the edge. Similarly, the Second World War brought out excellent art in the most terrible ways. My favorite example is Shostakovich’s devastating 7th Symphony, titled Leningrad, which was inspired by the German siege of that city in 1941. In addition to these calamities, there was the Great Depression, the conformity of the 1950’s, McCarthyism, the Cold War, etc. All of these things, however terrible, provided a great degree of horrific inspiration to artists in every field and region of earth.What is it about times of tension that create such good art? There is no answer to that. Obviously, emotions run high in times like these, and there is definitely no lack of subject matter.
I think there is also something to be said for the way that these crises mandate the reformation of the national character and consciousness. The art of WWI exposed the failings of the radical nationalism that had paralyzed Europe at the beginning of the century, and the art of the 1950’s definitely did what it could to poke holes in the blind conformity that was sweeping the country. As cliché as it is, I love The Great Gatsby because I appreciate Fitzgerald’s critique of the warping of the American Dream during the 1920’s. This might not have been an economic crisis, but he definitely argued that it was a moral one.How will the current global crisis play out in the art world? Like the 1920’s the materialism and greed which crept into the American Dream forced us to painfully reevaluate our personal and cultural positions. Although I can not say I enjoy the situation that we are in, I will say that I am interested in, and have high hopes for, the music and art it will inspire. I guess it’s a little something to look forward to.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
