Issue144 拍砖必回

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

      The speaker asserts that the artist, not the critic, provides something of lasting value to society. To some extent, the speaker overlooks the significance of critic for both artists and their works. On balance, however, I agree that artist is irrefutable the creator of lasting value and have great significance. Meanwhile, critic plays an irreplaceable role on artist.
       It is true that great artworks created by artists normally give society something of lasting value, which is profound and immeasurable. For example, the “Renaissance man” Leonardo da Vinci not only promoted the Renaissance but also left us a variety of great artworks, such as his painting of Mona Lisa, cenaculo and so on. Apart from the impact on Renaissance, the two famous portraits have remained enormous influence to our world for centuries. Meanwhile, of another field one of the most prominent and prolific composers, Beethoven, brought us a gift of The Ninth Symphony during his last period. Everything will pass, and the world may perish but The Ninth Symphony will remain.
       However, without critics people in society are unable to appreciate the artworks well, let alone the great ones with lasting value. Critics make efforts to reveal the connotation and significance of artworks, by which people not only reap a better appreciation of artworks, but also advance the ability. Artworks, especially the great ones, always conceal their intention which is not likely to be understood and held by ordinary persons. They often reflect profound ideas and reality stemming from normal life yet surpassing life. Just take the example of Da Vinci mentioned above. His painting of the Mona Lisa only presents a smiling woman at first glance. Without professional acknowledge, it is impossible to access this great artworks. Thus, critic is required to find fine artworks and evaluate them. By rational and objective analysis, they present the images and details behind the artworks to people and help them to access the artworks.
       Not only is critic helpful to people for appreciation of artworks, but also gives feedback to artist who is the creator of artworks. It is known that artistic creation is a kind of spiritual production, which not merely come from creator’s imagination but stem from life. People, including critics, general readers and audiences, are parts of life and then could consider and analysis this creation from diversified perspectives. General readers and audiences would be the most ordinary and realistic advisors even proponents for the creator. Moreover, the creator can get direct critique and constructive suggestion from critics since critics maintain most rational thinking and objectivity.
       In sum, artists are, admittedly, the originator of artworks; any of their works may become a greatest one which would provide something of lasting value for society.  Moreover, artists and their artworks always make inestimable influence for society and people. Nevertheless, critics do nothing but find and access the artworks that give society something of lasting value. The final judgment is, in my view, a balance one that neither take replace the other nor could be replaced.