Saturday, March 22, 2014

A Guide To The Power Of Art

By Jaclyn Hurley


There are many different ways that a work of art can affect people. What someone can describe as powerful may be different for other people. What is true is that for almost anyone there will be some form of artwork that will affect their lives. Whether it is a painting, a sculpture or a performance the power of art is something that can be inspiring, uplifting and thought provoking.

An excellent example of a powerful artwork is the Sistine Chapel in Rome. This is something that took over a decade to complete. While the picture of Adam touching fingers with God is something that has been parodied for years the real thing is something truly beautiful.

What is clear when you see this piece is its power. Michelangelo is an artist who clearly puts passion into his work. The problem is that it is not easy to describe the effect of the piece if you have not seen it in person. Photographs can capture the detail but they do not really capture the feeling when you see it.

In some cases the power of a work of art can come from its impact on popular culture. For example images from comic books have become symbols in and of themselves. A person can wear the image of a superhero on their T shirt without necessarily being a fan of that comic book.

The reaction of a person to a work of art can be different to another. With performance pieces and modern art there tends to be more ambiguity. Therefore the message one person takes from a piece may be different from another. For example while one person may see a violent image another may see something as a representation of the psyche of the artist.

Another way in which art can be powerful is in how it can change lives. It is often a way for people who would ordinarily have trouble expressing themselves finding ways to communicate their feelings through the artwork. It is often used as a method of therapy especially when people may be shy and resistant to more orthodox methods of therapy.

Of course the individual reaction to a piece can vary. A powerful reaction can equally be one of anger. However this is positive as a mixture of reactions is what creates debate and is what makes the nature of art and the discussion of artwork so fascinating.

Ultimately the best way to engage in the debate about what type of art is powerful is to see as much as you can. You do not necessarily have to go to the Louvre or the Sistine Chapel. There are numerous exhibitions and pieces available all over the world. Use your regular search engine for more information and about artists and exhibitions in your local area.




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