Just What Is The Significance Of Art

While it may seem like an unusual phrase, the fact is that art is a very potent cultural force, and one that can significantly shape and preserve a society. These influences, though, can be subtle and sometimes difficult to discover. In some cases they are not even apparent until long after a civilization has all but vanished or been otherwise lost to time.

Take, for example, what is known of ancient cultures. In most cases, the specifics surrounding things like their politics, religious doctrines, and culinary traditions, are easily forgotten by most. The same group that has a hard time recalling the details of these things, however, will often recognize the art that the civilization produced.

The irony, however, is that in many cases artistic expression actually revolved around these things. Or, in other cases, items related to things like, say, eating or storing food, become considered art by those who later discover them. Within museums around the world, items may be found that represent the spirit of an entire people even though these same people thought little of them at a time.

This is what some would consider a potent ability of artistic expression: it can be timeless, or immortal. Creative endeavors from hundreds of years ago can still have relevance today, and their impact can be life-changing in some instances. Furthermore, these creations may be as immense as an entire building or as small as a postage stamp. There are even smaller instances, in fact.

Now while these examples may not strike everyone, they can and have struck some. Creative expression through literature or painting and so forth may be a universal language, but the same message is not received by all people equally. Where some will cry at a painting, others may laugh, and so forth. It is also possible that someone will have no reaction to a given piece, of course. However it is unusual, even impossible some would say, that a person can be forever unmoved by any of the myriad pieces of art that exist today.

Upon witnessing the power of art, and its timelessness, most can develop a serious respect for creative expression and its many forms. Whether you are an artist yourself or have yet to find something you truly appreciate within the field, it can offer something to anyone, provided he or she is willing to seek it out. With any luck, you will find just what that offering is sooner rather than later.