Defining Art

“Art” has always been a very controversial subject to discuss about. There have been varied opinions, discussions and even debates, on what exactly is a beautiful piece of art? Something that is appreciable to one person can be disgusting to the other!

Art has many forms; be it painting, singing, dancing, writing or acting; but none of it is acceptable to all. The artist, who creates it, may have an entirely different perspective of his work than its critics. Even when it is considered to be appreciable, it can be analyzed and explained in different view-points! So, how can it be defined? How can any one brand “Art” as good or bad, acceptable or unacceptable, art or non-art?

Many a people claim to or are known to “understand art” and others are condemned of “having no sense of it”. It is another debatable topic, as everybody has at least some opinion, about any piece of art.

“Art is ruled uniquely by the imagination.” ….... Benedetto Croce.

Yes, its just imagination; imagination of the artist, of the critics, of any layman. Emily Carr says “Art is an aspect of God and there is only one God, but different people see Him in different ways. Though He is always the same He doesn't always look the same.” That’s very philosophical, but the idea is very true.

Any form of art produced, is a sincere feeling of its creator; the artist. It is a form of his expression, a form of satisfaction, a form of rebellion, a form of acknowledgement, a form of love, a form of thought, a form of his passion and his persona.

Can we judge any personality? Can we judge his emotion? Are we capable of doing it? …….. No!

Art is free. And so, let it be.

Any form of creation, is beyond definition. It cannot be caged by rules or locked up in chains. It’s a feeling; feel it, if you can or else just don’t bother, please.

Change

Rolling Stones does not gather moss

Change is synonymous to time. Time forces everything to change. Also there is a lot of learning and self realization linked to change.

What we are discussing here is change in the attitudes of people towards society, believes, relations, independence, religion, needs, righteousness etc. that has been witnessed over a period of time.

Let’s go to the causes first. The last century has witnessed a sharp shift in the source of earning of people all over the globe, from agriculture to industry. Also the average income per person has seen a steep increase. This has come from the enormous scientific and technological developments achieved by human species.

As a result of all this, individuals and then families have been moving out of their native places and relocating to newly emerging centers of civilization; that is, our ever growing cities. The family-sizes went on decreasing, which has now come to one! Today every one lives and spends, just for one-self. Money has become the center of attention. Today we are ready to move out of our families, just for the sake of earning more, which was unthinkable, even a few decades ago. Family bonds exist just for the sake of it and society does not exist all together.

But in spite of all this individuality and breaking away from bonds, this new generation of people is much more matured, determined, independent, rational and understanding than their ancestors. These big cities house people of all cultures, languages, religions and from all parts of world. They have made its residents very open and accommodating. People have left behind rituals and become very rational, left behind traditions and become global.

But what about the families they have left behind? They are not the part of this global community. They still follow rituals, are very strict on traditions, value societal rules and are resistant to change!

So how does this global population connect to their extended families back home? The answer is that they cannot. It is very difficult to match these two generations or mentalities. People on either side believe that they are right and are unwilling to listen or accept each other’s views or decisions. These clashes always result in either break-up or compromise of one side but no one is ready to understand the other’s point of view. As a result either the parents are left crying for their rebellious children or the children sulk all their lives.

Why has this situation arisen? Why is the gap so broad that we can’t connect to our own families? Why is nobody ready to sit and reason logically? We need to give time. Give time to our selves and to our parents. We need to sit together and discuss, leaving behind our egos.

There is love but there is a larger ego, which is snapping all the bonds between these small towns and big cities.

We need to change this. We need to reunite, with love respect and trust for each other. It’s again a time for change. Change for good and change for peace.