Social and non-motivated uses of arts

Social Uses and Impacts of Arts

Arts can be used to improve social cohesion and raise awareness on social issues as arts of all form have the ability to capture attention and move people.

      1.  Art improves social cohesion

Art events bring people together, allowing friendships to be forged. Some art events promote understanding among cultures and within communities, enhancing neighbourhood security. Art also helps in rehabilitation.[1]

Therefore, there is increased effort by various countries for example UK, Ireland and Netherlands in improving the arts scene for social stability.

·     Ireland

http://www.creativecity.ca/database/files/library/NESF_report.pdf

·    Netherlands

http://www.cjc-online.ca/index.php/journal/article/view/1300/1331

      2.  Trashion

Trashion has been around even before the term was coined. Indigenous people throughout the world have used salvaged materials to create new objects since a long time ago. However, using Trashion to raise awareness on social issues like environmental protection and even poverty is said to be started in the 1990s by Ann Wizer who created costumes made entirely from post consumer plastic to celebrate Earth Day.

Trashion is now prevalent all over the world.

·    An instance of Trashion on Febuary 2014 to promote recycling http://www.moabtimes.com/view/full_story/24489323/article--Trashion-fashion--takes-center-stage-Feb--1

·    A company that uses Trashion to alleviate poverty

http://www.monsoonvt.com/about_monsoon_vermont.cfm

As quoted by Nancy Judd, an artisit and environmental educator, Trashion is a good way to champion the cause of environmental protection without being “gloom-and-doom”. She also “likes the idea of making aluminum elegant or rusty nails sexy.”

3.      Use of arts to stop street harassment

·    Examples

http://www.stopstreetharassment.org/toolkits/art/

·    “Stop Telling Women to Smile” Initiative

http://mongoosmagazine.com/catartists/stop-telling-women-smile-street-art-talks-back-harassment/

Thinking Question

è    How does the social use of art differ in less developed and developed countries?

    Uses and Impacts of Non-Motivated Functions of Arts

    Art is also a basic human instinct for harmony, balance and rhythm. For some, art is ritualistic, cultural and symbolic, while others see it as an expression of the imagination and can be done for self relief.

1.   Fine Art

Fine art is art that is produced primarily for beauty rather than utility. Fine art often stems from pure creativity and self-expression and exists for the sake of existing.[2] Fine art can be created anytime, anywhere and by anyone.

2.   Art as a cultural identity/norm

Art is a kind of thinking or making which enables people to form and develop their identity. (Excluding the use of arts for promotion of religious purposes. This point is more on the origins and arts as part of a lifestyle.)

·    Arts of the Suriname Maroons

http://www.folklife.si.edu/resources/maroon/educational_guide/28.htm

·    Aboriginal Australian Art

http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-indigenous-art

·     Arts in Chinese Culture
       http://www.randomhistory.com/1-50/025chinese.html

Thinking Question

è    Have cultural groups succumbed to the lure of monetary gains and sacrificed the true meaning of their art?

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[1] Principal Research Findings – Social Cohesion, Francois Matarasso

http://mediation-danse.ch/fileadmin/dokumente/Vermittlung_ressources/Matarasso_Use_or_Ornament.pdf

[2] Art and Famous Artists – Usage

http://www.martinfrost.ws/htmlfiles/aug2008/art_artists.html