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issue144
Issue 144
Who really gives us something of lasting value, the artist or the critic? The speaker prefer the former. However, while I agree with the speaker as there are innumberable great works of artists, one can never ignore contribution of the critic. And on the other hand, sometimes the artist and the critic is inextriable to each other.
I wholeheartly agree with the speaker that the artist provides us plenty of lasting value works. There are a myriad of great works, which we will never forget. Today, as hundreds years after the death of Beethoven, his symphonies are familiar not only by musician but also ordinary people; da Vinci’s Mona lisa’s smile impressed millions of viewers; Shakespear’s “Hemlet” is never out-dated; ballet of Swanlake is the most favorable dance and still performed every year; poems of Tagore are translated into hundreds of languages and spread in the whole world; novels of Mark Twain are famous of its faith, strength, courage and criticism to capitalism. In the history of arts, there are thousands pieces of works which we feel proud of. All of these great works have long-lasting effect and not only epidemic but also international clout.
However, the critic also has undeniable contibution to the society. Some may argue that one can list hundreds of lasting value works of artisits, and can hardly remember even one name of the critic. I concede that few ordinary people can name a critic if they are not in the professional field, but this does not mean the critic doesn’t have any long-lasting infulence in arts. One can look no further than different styles of music. Any one can simply list out several distinct types of music: classic music, R&B, blue, jazz, hip hop, etc. How are these types defined? By work of the critic. To some extent, the critic acts as a taxonomist, whose personal opinion, if accepted widely, may have long term impact of evaluation of the arts. On the other hand, the critic contributes valuable suggestions to the artist, and therefore improve the works of the artist and thus propel the progress of the arts. In short, the long lasting valuse of contribution of the critic is not apparent but latent. In this sense, we shall appreciate the work of the critic even more as they may not stay in people’s memory as artists.
Moreover, sometimes it is difficult to treat one as an entire artist or a critic. Most of the artists have done some discussion or criticism about other artists, which means they did the job of the critic. And also, it is common that famous artists are invited as judges to a competition. During the competition, the artists give the participations advises, praise, and even criticisms. At that moment, the artists also play the role of critic. On the other hand, some critics themselves are eminent artists and did great jobs in their own realm. In short, the characters of the artist and the critic are switchable.
In sum, it is improper to assert that only the artist, not the critic contributes to society something of lasting value. Both of the character provides us imponderous works, either apparent or latent. Moreover, sometimes the roles of the artist and the critic are exchangeable. Thus, both of the artists and the critic gives us something of lasting value. |
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