Issue144 艺术与批评的价值【求拍，有拍必回】

爱上千年的猫UID: 2476232

Issue144: 489 words
45 minutes
It is the artist, not the critic,* who gives society something of lasting value.
*a person who evaluates works of art, such as novels, films, music, paintings, etc.

When God create artists, the world is becoming full beautiful melody and moving scenes. Meanwhile, in order to prevent human being from being indulged in the happy mirage, God also create critics, who remind people the reality, to help human sober. Therefore, artist and critic, on a balance provide us an overall view towards understanding the world.

If we look back to the valuable legacy that our ancestors left, we will find that a large proportion is in the form of artworks, namely paintings, music, films, and novels. Art is an access for everyone to express one's inner feelings, no matter happiness, sadness, or even desires. Although the concrete reasons of these feelings may be different from generation to generation, the basic senses are homogeneous. For example, when we look at maestro Da Vinci's famous piece, Mona Lisa, we can still perceive the slight sadness behind the woman's secretive smile. Yet we may have no idea about what happened when this painting was finished. Or if we listen to Beethoven's movements, we can still feel the spirit of fighting with destiny, which Beethoven behaved when he faced difficulties in his life. Arts, unlike any other tangible things, are media to record human psychological feeling, which cause resonates among people from various times and places.

But critics must rely on specific background, like the critic's nationality, living period, religious belief, sexuality and so on. Therefore different critics would give different comments to the same piece of artwork. An apt illustration about film critics comes into mind immediately. The 82nd Oscar Award granted the Best Film Award to The Hunter, rather than the 3D movie, Avadar, which successfully attracted millions of audience into the cinema. This is obviously a result of the perspective we use. However, say, after 50 years, who will remember the Oscar awarded which film. What remain in our memory are the films themselves.

Nevertheless, it is unfair to deny the indispensible role of critics. At least, they offer us various ways to understand the arts. For example, we can see a film from its visual side, from its humane side, from its musical side, from the historical side, and so on. Various understanding will boom the industry of art rather than undermine. Also, critics encourage artists to continuously create better works. Just imagine what a film director will do if his last film received ever worst comments from all critics and audience. He is more likely to search for a more effective way to express what he wants to offer to the audience. Being like goad for art, critics demonstrate its lasting value in society.

In sum, artists and critics are more like partners than enemy. Arts in the end leave us precious platform to resonate with others, while critics provide us with plentiful perspectives to understand artworks, and in turn improve the development of art. Without any one, the other can not give society anything of lasting value.