Issue144 [Jet]小组第六次作业 第二篇I，欢迎拍砖

goldin2008UID: 2140085

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.
WORDS: 594          TIME: 0:45:00          DATE: 2008-2-14

Is it the artist, not the critic that gives society something of lasting value, as the author asserts? I strongly disagree with the statement. Because the two are not mutually exclusive, and the speaker overstates the value of the artists, while neglecting the significance of the critics to the society. Through precise and sound scrutiny I become aware of the value of them and the society needs the association of the artists and critics.

As a threshold matter, artists, through creative works of art, characterize our society and enrich our spiritual life. The beauty in life and nature needs the artists to discover and express to the public. No one can deny the vital role of the artists in the creation of the artistic works. Most of the world famous works of art have been achieved through a long time efforts and it is the hard efforts of the artist that eventually make the public and critics possible to appreciate and evaluate these works no matter how the artist’s contemporaries and future generations look at these works. For example, The Dream of Red Mansion, which is a famous novel written by Cao Xueqin, cost many years and efforts.

In addition, the artist created and introduced the works of art, while the critic spread them. The critics with professional knowledge and relevant experience, which the laypersons do not have, can help us understand and interpret art, and provide feedback and constructive suggestions for artist, which can result in better works. Moreover, masterpieces are often ahead of time and well beyond the comprehension scope of the mass public, so a critic’s evaluation of them can help us determine which one is worth our time and attention. For instance, one year ago, many famous works in the renaissance were exhibited in my university, but it is impossible for common persons to understand without the explanations and notions of the critics, because most common persons place their first glance of the works on the appearance of them, while neglecting the further reflection of the background and other relevant information of these artistic works. Through the explanations and other activities such as literary salon, more and more people began to realize the true meaning behind the appearance of these works. In fact, not only the common persons can learn how to appreciate the profound works of the art, but also the artists themselves get the real reflect of their works. Certain comments and efforts, more often than not, can serve as a great impetus for these persons to strive for a better works in future and ultimately make them possible to achieve a long lasting artistic works.

Admittedly, whether the comments of the critics are what the artists want to express, no one can assure. It is entirely possible that they are altogether irrelevant to that objective, or even counterproductive to achieving the objective of the art. The critic sometimes has a misleading influence on us, denying the value of some outstanding works. However, this is only the ostensible phenomenon. The public are not stupid, so they can distinguish right from wrong with experience accumulated. Meanwhile, no one can assure which comment is the original author wants to express. The real value of art is our senses.

To sum up, art is the product of the artist’s passion, unique creative impulse, and spirit. And critics are able to enhance a layperson’s appreciation and understanding of art by providing an objective, educated interpretation of it. The society needs both artists and critics, if they want to receive lasting value.