Art For What Purpose?

As civilizations evolved across human history, a range of institutions emerged to serve society in their own distinct way. With the creation of money, came banks, to provide people a secure place to save and protect their savings. Hospitals, were built as a safe haven to treat ailments, and save lives. Commerce and private businesses picked up to supply the unique demands of the communities they served and profit from this exchange. You get the idea.

Art as a concept however, didn’t necessarily start as a product or service for societies to transact with. While some forms of art might have ritualistic origins, art quickly evolved as an extension of the culture and times we live, or have lived in. Artists, by that nature become cultural ambassadors, expressing personal reflections of the world through their respective creative outlets. As art developed through cultures, it formed a myriad of purposes of its own.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Taking a cue from world leaders and administrators alike, arts represent a cultural fabric of societies. Singapore, as an island nation for instance, comprises of four distinct races, and looks to the traditional arts to preserve and represent its distinct heritage. In the words of the prime minister, “a civilisation is defined as much by its arts and culture as it is by its technology, its power or its prosperity” (see article). The historic texts, traditions, composers and nuanced art forms that one finds in the traditional arts becomes a testament to where we come from, and the values we learn from those before us.

A bhajan or hymn by a 16th century devotional poet, Tulsidas for example, performed by an Indian classical Kathak artist, would allow us to not only internalize the devotion and love portrayed by the poet, it would also pay homage to Kathak, one of the original forms of storytelling in the royal courts of India. Similarly, Chinese opera performances performed across the world today, allow us to preserve the principles of morality and intellectualism that still reside in the Hun operas of the Cantonese repertoire.

Reflection Of The Times

Beyond cultural representation, art also provides a reflection of contemporary issues, across political, social and individualistic spheres. Many artists in fact, have used their talent to express their own perspectives of the world. The sixties was an inflection point for popular music culture, not only because of the musical experimentation that emerged from the time, but also because of how artistic expression became an instrument of protest and political representation. Famed singer-songwriter and Nobel laureate Bob Dylan’s record “hard rain’s gonna fall” became a statement against the Cuban missile crisis, while the Beatles’ song “Revolution” in 1968 became an iconic statement against the war in Vietnam (see article). Nina Simone’s work as a Blues singer and her controversial track “Backlash Blues” reflected her stance against civil rights violations and became an anthem for the African-American community to come together and stand up against racism. Reminiscing on these classics even today is like listening to the imprints of history, giving people a cultural sense of the time in which they were written, and the lessons we learn from our past that can still reflect on today.

Using art as a medium of expression on the contemporary world, is an important quality of the art we see even today. In fact, beyond conventional pop culture, traditional art forms also lend a powerful voice in depicting important issues of the world today. Acclaimed South Indian classical artist Dr. Janaki Rangarajan for instance, uses the language of Bharatanatyam to depict the state of women in marginalised communities facing domestic abuse amid the Covid-19 lockdown (see link). Artists and their work in that sense, regardless of the form, culture or context they represent, provide us a chance to empathise and reflect on the world, and introspect further within ourselves.

The Subjective Experience Of The Individual Viewer

Ultimately, art's reach and resonance is based on the individuals that consume it, and each individual could interpret a piece of art with their own context. Some individuals might view art, for entertainment. Whether it’s watching a Netflix special, or a Hindustani concert at Carnegie Hall, a viewer that comes to be entertained, will leave with that specific need satisfied. Another viewer looking for a deeper purpose, could be inspired, moved or educated by the same piece of content.

Regardless of the purpose with which we experience art, it undoubtedly has become a necessary fabric in the development of our societies. Art has the ability to enable reflections, realisations and inspirations. Its subjectivity has the power to change hearts and minds, reminding us of the core virtues of humanity, as we navigate the chaos of our lives.