Issue144 <米国有米 aefiter 第六次作业> 欢迎指教

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TOPIC: ISSUE144 - "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.


Artists and critics seems like an inseparable pair that propels the development of arts such as literature, sculpture, painting, or drama. If artists are some initiators of one kind of thought, a personal impulse, or a surge of imaginary inspired by some experiences, critics help fortify and entrench their value in the society; and in some circumstances, critics function as a major role to reserve the artistic works that are created in very old times.

As our everyday knowledge tell us, all the palpable materials, no matter which form does an artistic object take, are created through the hands and hearts of artists. And a more widely scattered custom make us recognize the artists, rather than the background critics, as the historical heroes who receive most of our admiration and respect. However, this illusion will break when we have a thorough inspection of both the roles of artists and critics. As the pristine form of arts which features simple combination of common ideas and elements of our daily lives are in the brink of extinction, many abstract artistic forms cannot be understood by the general public. When Vincent Van Gogh create the famous Starry Night, the upsetting and disturbing appearance may be difficult for us to know about how Van Gogh tried to convey. However, assisted by today's detailed research by critics, we are well accustomed to refer to some reviews of artifacts of some prestigious artists.

In some cases, artists will interact with critics in more essential ways; in other words, critics have virtually been involved in some creation period of artistic works. The Bronte sisters, three honored English writers, receive and respond frequently to critics when their novels were being publicized by installment on magazines. Sometimes, the Bronte sisters will approve, deny, or even distort on some ideas presented in front of them by literary reviewers, and in turn, several novels, the most famous of them included, are also influenced by these interaction with critics. Today, when we appreciate their classic novels, we cannot dismiss the social conditions, especially the contemporary reviewers, that act markedly on the plot, themes, or characters of their novels.

Some extreme circumstances, though not very common, can further complicate this topic when we are concerned about the indispensable works achieved by descendant people who successfully rediscover the lost greatness of some times, societies, and individuals. Archaeologists are among the most notable succors of artistic works of ancient times; and often, their knowledge of ancient times will shed light on many mysteries haunted around these discoveries, and thus can provide the background information based upon which our further research will be facilitated.

Admittedly, critics will not lead the creation circle of artistic works without the participation of artists. Perhaps some critics may take both of the two roles, yet they are not the intended critics we are discussing. In the sense that artists act dual role in the realm art, it means artists must develop their own independent ideas about their own arts, thus to set the criteria to decide whether to accept or dismiss the commentators of critics. Because some art works are not created with the review of critics, we must recognize the cases that artists will achieve their fame without critics.

In the final analysis, artists work independently or interactively with critics to create influential art works for people to appreciate. In either case, the single job done by artists will not be able, or be easily recognized and accepted by the vast public. Given the realm of art are to serve as an invoking tool to make people contemplating, debating on their aesthetic values and world views, people will feel more assisted when this process is aided by critics. And in some cases, when artists cannot be recognized in their times, will need critics to revive their masterpieces and their thoughts to the public.