issue 144

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144.It is the artist, not the critic,* who gives society something of lasting value.

I cannot agree more with the assertion that the artist, rather than critic, gives society something of lasting value. After all, any piece of comment is of little value without work of the artist, which concern not only to the art, but also to society and human culture. Those highly creative artists are always out of step with their time so that they have sigificant long-reaching influence on the furture world.
In terms of critict, their value is embodied in the impersonal remarks, as enlightenment and reference to the artist and a guidance for public. Citists of extensive observation and broad knowledge are like a mirror to contemporary or following artists either by advocating or criticizing. In this way, they also draw society’s attention to artists’ work and encouge them to be capable of judging art. Besides, extraordinary work becomes famous while commonplace ones are rejected by same trenchant comment. In short, the citic dose provide some valuable judgement.
However, a defect of some criticts may be that they so excessively faultfinding and demanding that and a fire of criticism can finaly stifle a real talent on his or her coming into prominence. When too much constraints and pressure are imposed on the artist, especially the beginners in fields of novels, films, music or paintings, it is difficult for them to remain highly original, that is to say, extreme commments contribute to absence of confidence of those artists who could have been successful and highly valued.
Comment is just comment which cannot be created out of nothing, neither can it be a touchstone. It is the artist and their work that really matter. By producing observable artifacts which provoke an aesthetic response of society, the artist gives society something of lasting value. The valuable art work of contemporary artists conveys representative essence of certain kinds of values, ideology, attitudes, and lifestyles. As an exaggerated and entrenched way of self-expression, it strikes deep roots into the hearts of the people around as well as their descendants. A persuasive example is an artist born in 19th century whose paintings often led to the vicious criticism at that time. However, today after more than a century, nations competing for the construction of his exquisite art galleries, the Orsay Museum in Paris, the National Gallery in London, the museum named after him……His works have been placed in the most prominent position where the crowd linger and marvel at every single piece. His name is Van Gogh Van Gogh, one of the most admirable artists who gives society the lasting value.
To draw a conclusion, the value of art and the artist will not sink as time elapse and it is more than commercial value or the aesthetic feeling. What the artist creates is spirit of the age and
understanding of humanity. Compared with criticism, it is a more lasting and valuable asset.