Is Art a "Pseudo Statement?" - Manuel Marino Blog

We are all familiar with concepts such as self-expression, catharsis, and introspection. Art is expected to serve as an outlet for our emotions, thoughts, sensations, ideas, and beliefs, whether they are religious, philosophical, emotional, ethical, romantic, or sensual. We often desire to share these feelings with others, and as a result, we have developed various methods of expression that fall under the broad umbrella of art. Even from the Stone Age or earlier, expressions on solid stones in the form of symbols, shapes, and lines can still be appreciated and understood today with the same enthusiasm and passion that was present in the ancient humans who created these early sketches. This direct, genuine, and passionate approach has allowed us to trace the footsteps of early human civilization and build upon it in the modern era.

Art has undergone numerous transformations. Classicism established strict rules for literature What is Anglo-Welsh Literature and why Should Anyone Care? - Ceri Shaw is a former college lecturer from Cardiff, South Wales. Currently he attempts to make a living as a Web Designer and as a freelance writer on a range of topics including Literature. He is a regular contributor to Americymru.com. Ceri wrote this article about Anglo-Welsh literature and its exploration of the themes of… and art, attributing divine origins to art as the “reflection of God’s beauty.” Romanticism emerged as a response, celebrating individualism and personal perspectives. Expressionism, Impressionism, and Realism each attempted to add weight to the concept of “Expression,” based on individual and societal desires and needs. The urge to communicate our feelings and perceptions led to the geometric thinking of Cubism and, later, abstraction in subjects, shapes, and colors. Dadaism also contributed to some extent, but it was a fleeting, baseless rejection of everything without solid grounds for judgment or criticism.

If we consider art as a serious means of genuine self-expression, we may agree with the Italian aesthetic philosopher Croce, who stated, “Art is nothing else than the mere expression of perception.” According to him, a work of art takes shape in the artist’s mind even before it is created on canvas. Knowledge is imparted through intellect or images, with images influencing intellect and intellect being conveyed through images. A complete expression is a fusion of soul and perception through images. Art conveys an artist’s aesthetic perception to others, encapsulating sounds, movements, contours, colors, and words to create a full impression.

In the 21st century, the age of information technology, mere colors, contours, and shapes are no longer sufficient. The term “multimedia” has expanded the scope of art to include sounds, movements, and changing colors and shades, as well as ideas, perspectives, and techniques. Both artists and viewers lack time for contemplation, and even art itself is short on time to make an impact. Artists seek to produce masterpieces quickly, viewers want to consume a variety of unique experiences, and art has lost its lasting power.

As a result, we often turn to photographs, journals, catalogs, and websites since there is no time to wander through museums and absorb art in its authentic form. The prevailing notion behind art is that “the artist’s job is merely to show.” However, even contemporary attitudes struggle to display creativity without imagination, and without imagination, the greatest art may only be a shadow or imitation. The quantitative aspect is overwhelming the qualitative aspect.

The modern age is fast and furious. No longer are particular fields exclusive to specific individuals, nor is art solely for the elite. The idea of “everything for everyone” has led to a shift in the art enthusiast community. There is now a new group of art aficionados or critics who may not be concerned with the philosophical underpinnings of subjects or the subtleties of techniques, but they are interested in critiquing art simply because they have access to it. Consequently, there are few genuine art critics worldwide, and in some countries, we must be content with whatever is available in this regard as there is little published or discussed on a regular basis.

Someone once said, “The true test of excellence in these arts is their ability to make themselves invisible in what they represent.” This is the ideal state for both the artist and the viewer to be immersed in the magic of an artwork. However, in today’s fast-paced world, we know that few have the time for such an experience. As a result, we often settle for a bird’s-eye view, and the artist too seeks efficiency in thought and technique, as well as paint and brushstrokes in their masterpiece.

There is no time for realism or hyperrealism to depict objects as they appear in reality; cameras are better suited for that purpose. However, what truly matters is the extent to which an artist’s passion and soul are reflected in even the simplest and most minimal strokes and concepts. The primary purpose of art is to convey the authentic essence of the artist’s mind to the viewer. European critic I.A. Richards believes that any work of art or literature is created due to an active chain of interests in the creator’s mind, and these interests are then triggered in the mind of the reader or viewer when conveyed to them. Therefore, art is about conveying something from its creator to others, and if it fails in this regard, the art is not of high quality.

There has often been a misconception among people that art is an overly complex means of expressing even simple thoughts or emotions. However, thoughts and emotions are not simple enough to be conveyed through language alone. In reality, our emotions are symbolic representations of our nature and attitude, and these aspects are far from simple. They form a constantly changing phenomenon that significantly influences our character, forcing us to draw something from within. Thus, art, as a mode of expression, is not easily understood. One must approach it at two different levels of understanding: the psychological or imaginative level and the intellectual level. Both are interconnected in comprehending an artwork, just as talent and skill are in creating one. This is far from a “pseudo statement.”

The creativity upon which art is based serves as the foundation from which it grows. Consequently, all the various artistic movements have been reactions to or manifestations of changing human consciousness, which in turn has had a positive impact on society in terms of subjective atmosphere.

Manuel Marino

Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME