The artists normally belong to a certain social class or group, and the desires ND ideals to this class are oaten reflect in these artists’ works. What these artists could truly affect this society is not radio, newspaper or television, hut the art works enjoyed by most people. Especially, in a society of despotism, if the right of free speech is limited, art works would become the best tools for artists to uncover the dark side of society and express their resentment toward authority.
The best example to illustrate this point is the painting ‘DOVE’ created by Picasso This ivory are produced on the basis of Picasso’ personal experience during the second wars, It represents the longing for peace of common people like Picasso under the ruling of NAZI as well as their hate toward wars. Up to now, this painting has become the symbol Of peace accepted by the people worldwide. Therefore, the art works are normally the effective tools to record the desires and ideas Of some certain social group represented by artists.
Most art works are created on the basis of social life, so it is sure that they would contain many aspects of social reality, including people’s lives and ideas. Value ideas. Religious belief and etc. Naturally, some arts works could also reflect the impulse of some people to transcend their present situation, and it is often this impulse that help propel society ford. The Famous novels uncle Tom’s Cabin could serve as a good example to illustrate this point. This novel described specificity the miserable life of slaves living the south at that time ,and expressed black slaves’ longing for freedom.
Accordingly, this book not only evoked most people’s consideration to black slaves living the south, but to some extent, led to the breakout of the campaign of abolishing slavery. This book had such a profound effect on the development of American history that most critics think that it is this novel that makes the Civil War truly, In a word, many valuable works like uncle tom’s cabin not only simply reflect the hidden impulse of society, but direct properly people’s views on the important social issues, and thus result in the further development of society.
However, we could not also lost sight of some art works embodying not social ideas or impulses, but the author’s pursuit for the beauty of art. If so, what these art works leave for posterity is its artistic value rather than social value. The famous painting ‘Mona Lisa smile’ belongs to this kind of art works. Obviously, This painting contains no any special social thoughts, and the reason for its great fame is that it reflects the authors sophisticated drawing and painting techniques.
The lifelike and vivid image feature defeated many Other paintings Of this kind, so it is regarded as the most influential art works in the 11th century. For another thing, some art works also serve to express the beauty of nature or personal emotions and feeling. The Chinese music “high mountains and flowing water” is created by author to record the peace and serenity of nature , as well as the feeling of human being when facing great natural wonders.
All in all, not all art works would reveal the otherwise ideas and impulses hidden in a society. To sum up, while most art works uncover successfully the thinness ideas and impulses hidden in a society, and thus help propel the development of society, some art works are also created to fulfill the artistic pursuits of authors. And the latter works normally embody the artistic value rather than social value.
