Art is important because it has the power to make people feel, which is a fundamental aspect of being human. It can also change perceptions and inspire us to see things from new angles. It is a tool that can help us understand the world around us, and it can also bring together different cultures.
The first artistic displays by humans date back to prehistoric times. Homo sapiens drew pictures on the walls of caves for narrative, shamanic or ritual purposes. They used natural pigments to create the artworks. Later, these images were transferred onto stone or other materials to create a larger display. This type of art was called decorative art or ornamental art. Later, it evolved into the visual arts such as drawing, painting and sculpting. It began to be valued for its aesthetic qualities rather than its utility or function. This was a significant development, which led to the evolution of Modernism, when artists wanted to express their individuality through their works. This search for originality has caused some artists to reevaluate what art is.
When it comes to education, art is critical because it allows students to engage with ideas that are often abstract or intangible. It allows them to access higher levels of thinking that would be impossible to achieve with purely academic or scientific methods alone. Art can also teach about history, culture, and traditions in a way that is more engaging than reading a textbook or listening to a lecture. It can also foster cultural appreciation in a generation that is often preoccupied with their phones and tablets.
A good piece of art is like a mirror of a civilization, and it can reflect both its values and its failures. Art is a crucial part of the evolution of any civilisation, supporting the establishment while also preventing subversive messages from being silenced. It is also essential in promoting broad standards of civilisation and morality.
Art can also help fight intolerance of different cultures and racism in our globalized society. By showcasing the beauty of diverse cultures, it can help the world to be more accepting of each other. It can also encourage foreigners to appreciate and learn about the history, culture, and tradition of their host countries. Art can strengthen the heart and push people to act, which is why it is an important component of any movement that seeks to bring about social change. This is why art is vital for our world today. It can strengthen the hearts of political leaders and policy creators, allowing them to take bold and revolutionary actions. The left side of the brain, which talks about ideas and theory, cannot have the same impact on policymakers as the right one, which is based on action and emotion. Art is the right hand that can pull the hearts of elites and powerful people to influence them into making changes. This is why it is so critically important in our current climate.