diacritical: The two terms sometimes get mixed up. They’re not interchangeable. For the most part, the big cultural debates of our time take place without participation of our artists and arts leaders. If artists aren’t participating – let alone leading – it’s difficult to make the case that they’re cultural leaders.
Somehow, our public debates about values – and by extension, what our culture looks like – have become the exclusive domain of politics. To speak out on values can only be seen as a political act in America. Issues like gun culture, family values, social services, and public space are owned by narrow political forces who have a vested interest in them and who frame how they’re discussed.
6 comments:
One of the ways America has degraded is that art has lost a lot of cultural significance. Which is a shame. Some of the best art comments on our values and beliefs. It challenges us to reflect on our society and culture and recognize the patterns that we abide by. One wonders why arts and arts leaders are not more a part of cultural debates and decisions. Shouldn't we be reflecting what the world is thinking about and comment on it? Why are arts trending away from this?
I think that this article brings up a valuable point in saying that artists should be more involved in politics and become a stronger cultural force the way that artists of the past have been. I disagree with their attitude towards the Met however. In their response to the petition to have a "support of LGBT" gala, their point is not that the Met will never display art that has political significance, they are just choosing not to display their own views.
Just because a group is not completely open about their views does not mean they are not politically active. The arts community has been a gigantic cultural leader as it has given way to free expression in many ways. Visual art, architecture, and the performing arts are forever changing, evolving and becoming more effective. The reason some people aren't as politically open is for fear of being condemned. If you say that artists today are not leaders, then I do believe you are mad.
Isaac Miller
Although i do think that the the arts and certain institutions within the arts are in a unique and important position to influence our culture. The Met made its views clear in the response, but directors and designers and singers and actors and everyone in this business do not only use the internet and forums to express their politics views, they do what they have always done. Make art. The Met does not go to say that all of its productions are politically, socially and morally neutral, the Met says that its purpose is for art, this does not exclude the the expression of views, it provides a unique and powerful stage for them.
I definitely agree -- the arts has a huge role in politics, if it's not always gaining the headline. There are lots of examples we tend to forget about -- like Bread and Puppet -- who I think are an amazing example of successful political art. I was a part of an exhibition in Japan called "On the Planet." It was in conjunction with the world's convention on biodiversity and it was an attempt to say that artists can have a say about biodiversity and the state of the planet's environment, not just scientists and politicians, and It was very successful, if small. It was a great moment for me, at least, to really think about that link -- that art is just another medium, like science, like literature, to get ideas out. I think that in general, people get scared to make a statement. If you stay in the middle and remain neutral, it's safer in relating to audiences and gaining general support. It's the role of everyone to make known their thoughts and it's our job as artists to use our field to make known our beliefs and ideas and help with understanding. I think it can and should be done, but it takes a lot of bravery to do it and in a world where you never know where your next funds are coming from, it's hard to commit to something and risk loosing that. Alas!
I think the statement submitted by the Met was totally spot on. And, contrary to the opinion of the author of this article, they are still leaders in our culture because they are the standard of opera excellence that other companies in this country seek to emulate. Art, is by its very nature, political--intentionally or not. But it doesn't have to be a priority.
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