Free Essay

Defending the Arts

In:

Submitted By christine0119
Words 607
Pages 3
Defending the Arts
What is art? Art can mean many things to many people. For me, the arts are an expression of one's imagination, the ability to create so that others can enjoy. There are different kinds of art. Art could come in the form of paintings, sculptor, poetry, music, or theater to name a few. Art makes you feel; it makes you think. . Art in some shape or form has existed as long as humans. Art surrounds our daily lives and is present all around the world. Love and Anguish
What do you think of when someone mentions Miami? Beautiful beaches, beautiful people, vibrant nightlife, and fun in the sun. I'm a native of Florida and had no idea Miami is home to one of the most dramatic heartfelt memorial. The memorial is to honor the millions of lives that were lost and to those who survived. The Holocaust Memorial of the Greater Miami Jewish Federation (Miami, FL) is a must to see if you are ever in Miami. There is one particular piece that I will be telling you about that made the most impact on me that day. It is a sculptor designed and created by Kenneth Triester. His memorial art piece is called the Sculpture of Love and Anguish (Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach, 1990).
You walk upon a bronze sculpture that stands at 42-feet. Its outstretched arm marked with the symbolic numbers from prison camp is reaching towards the sky. It is what you see at the base working its way up the arm to the sky that gets to you. There are life-sized bronze figures placed around the base, you can see in their faces the terror and fear. As you are looking at the figures, you can't help but feel sadness and grief. You can feel it to the very core of your being. They do not have any eyes, just hollow sockets; their bodies are of skin and bones. You are face to face with death. They are that of babies, children, the elderly, families, and friends. They are trying to comfort one another and help each other. One could assume that they are trying to escape the grip that the hand has, but on the other they are clinging to the arm possibly hoping that they are on their way to heaven. As I stood there taking this all in, I couldn't help but cry silently. Even in the midst of the emotion I felt there was a feeling of calmness, that of tranquility. It was very quiet which added to the whole experience. According to "Holocaust Memorial Miami Beach" (2013), Kenneth Triester says, “I’ve created the memorial as a large environmental sculpture ... a series of outdoor spaces in which the visitor is led through a procession of visual, historical and emotional experiences with the hope that the totality of the visit will express, in some small way, the reality of the Holocaust.” Triester did just that he created a sculpture that brings to life the tragedy that millions endured. Why Create Art?
In the words of Pablo Picasso according to "Think Exisit.com" (2015), "Painting is just another way of keeping a diary." Triester’s Sculpture of Love and Anguish is part of history that has been given life. His sculpture is not only for those who are survivors but a gift for generations to come. It's a key to the past that will allow us to feel a little something that millions of people who lost their lives were feeling. As long as art like this are around we as a society will never forget.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Defending the Arts

...Defending the Arts Tiffany O’Connell ARTS/100 Defending the Arts Art refers to the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination typically in a visual form such as painting and producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. They are various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance. The elements of the composition of the art are used to arrange or organize the components in a way that is pleasing to the artist and, hopefully, the viewer. It helps give structure to the layout and the way the subject is presented. It also encourages or leads the viewer's eye to wander around the whole painting, taking in everything and ultimately coming back to rest on the point. These elements are considered to be unit, balance, rhythm, focus, contrast, pattern, color, line among others. Unit refers to when the parts of the composition feel as if they belong together. Balance is the symmetrical arrangement of objects. It creates a sense of calm when symmetrical and a sense of unease and imbalance where it’s not. Rhythm: just like music, a piece of art has rhythm, a piece of art can have a rhythm or underlying beat that leads and paces the eye as you look at it .Repeated color and shapes creates a rhythm in a paint (Rosenberg 2013). Focus refers to emphasis on a particular object. The viewer's eye may want to rest in the most of the things in the painting, otherwise...

Words: 908 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Defending of the Arts

...The defending of the arts 100 6/15/2015 BRENDA DURDEN The defending of the arts Recently my family went to an art gallery that had some, many different forms of art that made it so interesting. To view, many of them had much meaning, with a lot of history and culture in the mix within it. Some of the local artists came around, mingle, with the crowd, and explain their art in a more in-depth ways. An art gallery that I went to is in the location of ells square in the city market of Georgia that has a beautiful art gallery with amazing art forms. However, the art piece that stood out to me was from Irene Sainz Mayo the painting call on the lake to the composition elements description. Like the line element on the lake, two painting is curved lines, which the tree line gives off the image within the sky. Drift off towards, the sides of the canvas and the curve line show in the length within the tree line and beyond. The colors united, in the painting. Is the sky is mix with dark and light blue. Also, a combined with a yellow mix, with reddish orange the clouds look grayish black color. The tree lines in this painting are a blackish color. The lake watercolor in this painting is the dark blue mix, with light blue and blended colors of yellow, reddish orange color. The on the lake two painting movement the shape of the paint is two-dimensional space, the element in the paint are organic and geometric shapes distance within the canvas .The theme of this painting...

Words: 979 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Defending the Arts

...Defending the Arts 1 Defending the Arts 100/Arts 6/16/14 Defending the Arts 2 Me and my wife have always enjoyed the arts and took and opportunity recently to go see the play “Wicked” in Raleigh N.C.. It has always been one of my wives favorite plays so it ended up being what I wanted us to go see. Wicked is a new twist on the classic tale of the Wizard of Oz. It is a play adaptation of Gregory Maguire's book of the same name. In this retelling, the “wicked” witch is actually the heroine of the story, who starts out as the outcast and is coached by Glinda, her big sister. She begins to be popular, which is expressed in a musical number that was one of my wife's favorite songs in the play. However, she realizes her real desire is not to fall in love and pursue the wizard/witch love story, but to be free. During the play the musical numbers played a huge part in telling the story as well as the movements of the characters. With song it was easy to tell what each character was feeling and meaning to express. The songs also cause you to feel similar feelings to the characters. According to ("2knowmyself", 2006-2011) music is the fastest way to create emotion to the audience. Within seconds you can completely change a listener's emotional state  ("2knowmyself", 2006-2011) . During the song “Defying Gravity” two characters, Glinda the good witch and Elfie the wicked witch, are having an argument about following society and what...

Words: 730 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Defending the Arts

...Defending the Arts Trouble Carter ARTS/100 1-18-2016 Doris Doyon Defending the Arts I recently attended a college Step Show in my community a few months ago. Step Shows showcase multiple teams who stomp, clap, dance, shout, and ignite the audience. I have been viewing Step Shows since my first year in high school. I frequent Step Shows due to the electrifying energy that the step teams display. These teams work hard to perfect their artwork of expression. Some of them even employ professional dancers to assist with the stage shows. Just like painters or sculptors, step teams provide messages and creative expression in every performance. Stepping is a growing art form and an important part of our country’s artistic and cultural heritage. In stepping, the body is used as an instrument. The body motion and movement is part of the story. The step teams maneuver in synchronized progressions to create intricate rhythms through a plethora of footsteps, claps and the spoken word (Degregory PHD, 2015). The winner of the Step Show approached the stage wearing clown outfits including colorful masked faces. The clown outfits mislead the audience to expect a clumsy, unorganized show. We received the exact opposite. The winning step team was well organized and choreographed, regardless of their clown suits. They brought the crowd to their feet with “call and response” chants. Moreover, the Step Show entertained me to the fullest. I enjoyed every team’s performance. I get excited...

Words: 721 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Censorship and Its Affect on Art

...Censorship and its affect on Art Regardless if you like art, music or just simply reading books, I am sure you have your favorites that have made a serious impact on your life, but what about all those works that you never got to see, read or feel? Maybe you never will, if they have fallen victim to the act of censoring. “Censorship is defined as the alteration or removal of works of art from public view” (Frank 92). Along with wars, conflicts, cultural influences, and evolution of societies, censorship has had an enormous effect on art of the past and will greatly alter the trajectory of art in the future for better or worse. The one who controls the ultimate decision whether to eliminate or support expression through art will be of the utmost importance in the growth and development of artistic expression. “The struggle for freedom of expression is as ancient as the history of censorship” (Newth). Everywhere free expression has been achieved, censorship follows, never too far behind. One of the more famous acts of censorship occurred when Socrates, a most influential philosopher of history was sentenced to drink poison for “corrupting” the youth with his ideals that varied from the current political and moral codes of his time. This happened in 399 BC. Gives you an idea of how long censorship has effected expression, and this is by no means the first time censorship took place in history. I personally never put too much thought into censorship and the severity of its faults...

Words: 2290 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Galileo

...Defending Galileo’s Legacy D’Andre Thomas HIST 112 Professor Walden January 27, 2015 Introduction Galileo Galilei is a decorated physicist and mathematician who has been charged with prosecuting heretics. Although his beliefs may seem to defy the church they are facts and can be proven with reason. Nothing in the physical world should be questioned by biblical passages. Through demonstrations with a telescope I believe that Galileo proved that the galaxy is heliocentric therefore the charges should be dismissed. Facts of the Case In 1609 Galileo learned of a magnifying device being used in Holland called a telescope. It consisted of two glass pieces in a tube. Using its design he constructed an instrument that allowed him to see things in the sky that were naked to the human eye. In 1610 he noticed multiple stars around Jupiter that seemed to move around it. He concluded that they were moons and rotated around the planet. This intrigued him because the Copernican model showed that the moon revolved around the Earth. He attempted to show his findings to the Roman Inquisition but they were seen as heretical and contradicting of the Holy Scripture. This model was censored in 1623 but Galileo’s friend Barberini was elected pope so he began to write a book about it. The resulting publication was titled Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems and appeared to be a defense of Corpernicanism. This led to the calling of Galileo to Rome to defend himself. Charges Galileo...

Words: 1113 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Re: Art, Beauty...

...what a aesthetic art  looks like, so people can set their own standards. I agree most with Ducasse  as there may be a generalization of what is considered beauty but everybody make judgement based on their subjectivity  and be their own judge of what art is. This is from the essay Taste cannot be Disputed Beardsley as the “Aesthetic Skeptic.”  ----- “the apparent reasons are not genuine reasons, or cannot be compelling reasons, like the ones we find in other fields” ----“though it is true that you can’t change a disliking into a liking by arguments, that doesn’t imply that you can’t change it at all, or that we cannot argue whether or not it ought to be changed  Aesthetic tastes cannot be disputed; Tastes are something physiological and environmental that a person acquires over the period of time and  that is unique to everyone, each reason defending a taste is merely just a mere preference by a person  because there are no objective standards for judgment, and finally argument cannot change taste. I think some of the  Beardsley’s points against the aesthetic skeptic; still, I don’t think I should agree with the fact that taste can be disputed. There is no disputing on Collingwood’s view amusement and magical art.I like his statement about what he said about art simply function to entertain or amuse.An art can depict   physical representation of emotion of a person or his imagination that comes out of nowhere.So it really evokes specific  emotion if an art is interpreted in...

Words: 318 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Rhetoric In The Odyssey

...What is rhetoric? Some say that it is the art of persuasive speech or the art of public speaking. Webster’s dictionary dictates rhetoric as, “ the art of speaking or writing effectively”. Throughout society speaking has always played an insurmountable role in our everyday lives, even before we put a literary term to define our actions. We do not see the practice of rhetoric until the 800s BC with the appearance of Homer, who was an author of multiple epic poems. Homer is most commonly known for, “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey”, which both are compiled of multiple speeches within his poems. This allowed Homer to use rhetoric throughout his works. Rhetoric is used much more than just in works of literature. Education and government play large...

Words: 1003 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Alfred Pierre Agache Essay

...Alfred Pierre Agache (1843 - 1915) At the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto, Canada, a striking portrait has attracted art observers since 1965. The large 6 feet by 3½ feet oil painting is a courageous woman in a black robe. She is sitting down with her fist on her waist and a long, sharp sword on her right hand. The woman in the portrait has a piercing and intimidating expression on her face. There are words displayed on the top portion of the portrait, “Pro Iustitia Tantum.” The term is Latin for “on behalf of justice only.” The painting was a gift from the Canadian National Exhibition Association and it has been one of the most popular artworks at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Alfred Pierre Agache was the artist known for this famous...

Words: 538 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Awakening - the Role of Art in Edna's Life

...Rites of Passage 02/18/10 The Awakening The Role of Art in Edna’s Life Throughout The Awakening by Kate Chopin, art becomes a symbol of freedom for Edna. Even though Edna uses art as an escape from her husband, Léonce Pontellier, it also symbolizes failure. Edna believes that if she becomes an artist she will achieve the independence that she desires. She learns about the power that art can have on someone from Mademoiselle Reisz. Mademoiselle Reisz views art as a test of individuality. Edna is unable to pass the test because she incapable of defending her individuality against society and social rules. As Edna makes progress in her paintings and illustrations, she also grows as an individual. Music also becomes a symbol of freedom for Edna. Through the arts, Edna is able to create an independence from her husband. In The Awakening, Edna sees the role that music plays in women’s lives through Mademoiselle Reisz and Adèle Ratignolle. Having two different women that play music, allows Edna to see two paths that she can take to achieve her art and independence. Edna’s friend, Adèle Ratignolle, plays the piano to keep her husband and children happy. Edna enjoys when Adèle Ratignolle plays the piano, but she prefers listening to Mademoiselle Reisz because she thinks Reisz pieces are powerful. When she listens to Mademoiselle Reisz, she discovers unexplored emotional territories. Chopin writes “The very first chords which Mademoiselle Reisz struck upon the piano sent a keen...

Words: 542 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Art as a Mirror of Society

...ART AS A MIRROR OF SOCIETY Art is seen as mirror of our society. It is therefore a source of communication put into meaning by ones ideology and inspiration, which allows us to related to Art in our own way. Visual Arts evokes conversation and seeks to solve problems of creativity and visual communication which has become a dominant global, social, racial, political, religious and capitalist force. The commercialization and commodification of this Visual Art shapes perceptions of visual cultures and visual communication. Art is therefore a reflection of a society influenced by ones own self concepts and experiences. – Differences + Value = Meaning society puts to define differences. Though Art is popular culture, John Stoy defines popular culture as an empty conceptual category, one that can be filled in a wide variety of often conflicting ways, depending on the context of use (Cultural Theory and Popular Culture Pg. 1. 1998) Process of defending popular culture. * Smaller number of people engaging in what the way of life is. * Raymond Williams – ‘Popular’ term developed as a kind of negative condition, of the ‘Common People’ – ‘loud, vulgar based’ by the late 18th century associated with widespread usage.’ Shift-negaive to (positive) popular of definition to (culture) popular culture. * Inference that popular culture is negative (initially) * Issues of authenticity very important * Issues of comodification and commercial item...

Words: 686 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

...You can write off Martial Arts styles like Tae Kwon Do and most forms of karate right away -- they are simply not effective when it comes to defending yourself in the real world. Spinning and high flying kicks may look cool in Hollywood movies and in the dojo, but try using any of these in the street and you will find yourself on your back in a pool of your own blood before you figure out what hit you. When it comes to real life self-defense, MMA style striking combining Muay Thai and western style boxing has proven the best for stand up, while Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (also know as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) has proven to be the best overall and when on the ground. With over 90% of real life fights ending on the ground, it is clear that the opponent who is the best at ground fighting will ultimately have the upper hand. During your life there may definitely be some situations where you may prefer to try and stay on your feet and rely on your MMA striking skills, such as facing multiple opponents in a bar. However, experienced Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioners like Jean Jacques Machado and Chad LeBrun of The Lab Mixed Martial Arts Academy in Fredericksburg, VA, have proven that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective fighting style against multiple attackers and even armed assailants....

Words: 454 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Samurai And Knights Similarities

...One fact is that the samurai and knights lived by a strict code. They also had many similarities and differences. For starters they both wore protective armour and were skilled in combat. Another similarity is that they went through a strict training process that started when they were young. Some differences between the two were that the samurai originated in japan and the knights were brought up in europe. Another difference is what there armor is made up of. Samurai and Knights have many similarities and differences. Two similarities are that they are both skilled in combat and wear armour. The samurai were trained in archery and are skilled in martial arts and to ride on horseback. The knights are similar they train in martial arts and...

Words: 421 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

The Coin of Photography

...the walls. Any genuine person would call the palace and its adored paintings, a work of art and rather be mesmerised by the antiquity. Now, the second situation is somewhat we all are acquainted with. What do you expect to find as you enter the house of a popular film star. Well you are luckily you are going to see numerous photographs of stars being framed and hung on the wall. You can also find a good deal of landscape photographs in any modern household. Well, now the question arises. Will you call this house a patron of art? This is where the ambiguity arises. It has been almost 180 years now, and still innumerable critics have been raging a battle among themselves on whether to consider photography as an art. Well, I am no critic, neither I am any artist or photographer. I am what you all are, a layman. And I will try to analyse things from layman’s point of view. So, being impartial, standing on the vulnerable bisector dividing the two forms, I would like to establish art with photography. How do we describe art? Art is a form of media be it painting, film, song, etc which provokes some kind of thought or emotion within us. Common emotions to be found in art are joy, laughter, happiness, hatred, pessimism, amazement, shocks, etc. So, the most vital function of art is to wipe away the dust of daily life from our souls and provide a deep insight to our inner self. In other words, art provides liberation to our souls in turmoil, and...

Words: 964 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Looking at Japan

...otaku and maid cafés. They are deeply enamored with popular culture they have an entire district dedicated to it – Shibuya District. However, as much as they love their gigantic robots and fashion brands, they are beyond doubt deeply rooted and continues to practice and celebrate traditional ones such as the Noh. The Noh uncovers attributes of the Japanese such as hard work and discipline. They do not stop at good, they do not even pause during their best – they are extremely passionate which gives them the drive to pursue life-long education constantly. Throughout the whole process, they are required to maintain mental and physical preparedness, arm themselves with proper meditation, and nurture the art through continuous practice, among others. The Noh, for them, is not just art – it is life, a way of being. Even their tea ceremonies are well-practiced and requires formal training and education. There are people intended to master these practices, earning them a well-respected name in their field. Given these, it is evident that they know the line...

Words: 495 - Pages: 2