The annual community art show— this year themed, “Chaos…Cracks…. Creativity!”—will open with a presentation by art historian and artist Wayne Roosa, Ph.D., entitled “Just Art or Just Art: Art in Times of Social Disquiet and Turmoil.” This theme, about the role of art in society, is a long-standing question, and particularly important in an artist community like ours in a time of turmoil.
Roosa describes his presentation this way: “We make art out of many motives: personal, spiritual, aesthetic, social, political and more. We often wonder about art’s role and impact. But in times of social disquiet, turmoil or crisis, does art have a social or political role to play? Or, is art endangered by becoming political? This presentation will consider broad ideas, some historical artists, and some contemporary artists who have grappled with these questions.”
The arts have long been used to raise issues, but this is sometimes more apparent in the literary arts. Two thousand years ago, the Greek play Lysistrata presented a protest to ongoing war. In the 19th century, Charles Dickens exposed the abuses of debtor’s prisons, and Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin brought to life the cruelties of slavery.
Does this happen in the visual arts? Should it happen or do they become propaganda?
The presentation will be on March 9, as part of the opening reception, which begins at 5 p.m., with the presentation at 6 p.m.
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