Contribution Of Art In Understanding Society

Art, according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, is a visual object or experience consciously created through an expression of skill or imagination. (art, n.d.) It has always been one of the most popular means for people around the globe and of all ages to express themselves. The first pieces of artwork that have been found are of the Stone Age, in which shows people hunting and living in caves. (History of art, n.d.) Through the decades, more and more complex artwork started to appear. By investigating these artworks, they can help us to understand the society and the world around us most of the time.

Firstly, we can understand different countries and their relations with one another through looking at the propaganda issued by their governments.

Rhythmic music from tribes in Africa and Native America can definitely show us the energetic and vibrant lifestyles of the people living there. The change in musical styles throughout the years can also show changes in society and values embedded in people’s lives at that time. Take China as an example. During the Great Leap Forward, under the control of the Chairman of the Communist Party, Mao Zedong, numerous songs about the glory of People’s Republic of China and Mao’s achievements were published. These songs promoted socialism and nationalism to the less cultured Chinese at that time, and successfully changed their mindset. They hence made utmost efforts in praising and supporting Mao as they believed that their country would prosper under Mao’s governance. (紅色歌曲, 无日期)Later, an opera by Wu Han, Hai Rui Dismissed from Office, was interpreted as a veiled criticism of Mao. (Cultural Revolution, 无日期) This opera was what lead to Cultural Revolution, which not only negatively affected the cultural development of China but also violated the freedom of expression of Chinese academics of that time. These examples show the resulting patriotism of the Great Leap Forward and how the administration of Mao changed China’s society for

One of the most significant improvements of art is the change from medieval two-dimensional paintings to the perspective-based artwork. Medieval art originated in the Middle Ages in Europe (Medieval art, n.d.)Middle Ages in Europe. Most of the surviving works from the Middle Ages represented religions. These artworks also showed flat and lifeless objects and had no background. Not long after, Renaissance art emerged as a period of transition from medieval to modern times, which spread throughout Europe. (Renaissance art, n.d.) Renaissance artworks, with the development of linear perspective, could show a more realistic image in which could give a better interpretation of spatial relationships in the paintings. Besides, different shades colours were used to paint the same object to make the painting more three-dimensional. Not only is there a change in technique, but the focus of the painting is also altered. The main focus of Renaissance art is about the actual world and also philosophical ideas that dominated the society at that time. From the above example, we can see the development of Europe. People at that time were deeply influenced by the belief of humanism and importance of the individual. On the other hand, there was also a declining influence of the Christian Church. These reasons caused an increase of freedom for artists to develop and express their own