Art has always been at the heart of human expression; however, it continues to be one of the most controversial and potentially divisive types of communication. The statement art is a controversial issue as you may find the need to take a closer examination of how, and the reasons why the arts evoke an emotion, debate and even conflict in society.
What is the full answer, what is the rationale behind it, and what makes art a subjective topic? Let us find out now.
Question:
Art is often controversial because __________________
A) It always follows the rules of realism
B) It is only appreciated by experts
C) It represents ideas that challenge societal norms
D) It never changes over time
Correct Answer: C) It represents ideas that challenge societal norms
Explanation:
Art is usually the controversial thing as it portrays some ideas that upset the normalcy of society in terms of values, beliefs or norms. Artists have always used their creation as an expressive way to challenge things in the fields of politics, religion, morality, race, gender, and identity. Art may bring to light the harsh reality of society which people may reevaluate when they think about the world.
For example:
- Guernica was also controversial since it portrayed graphic pictures of war, represented by Picasso.
- Traditionalists who slammed Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain (an art urinal) did not believe that such an item belonged to a gallery.
- Religious artwork or racially controversial artwork has in recent days become the focus of much controversy.
Why is Art Subjective?
Subjectivity is a characteristic of art. The difference is that when one looks closely at science one sees facts and objectivity, whereas with art one sees interpretation, emotion and experience.
This is why art is quite subjective:
1. Various Special Experiences
Art is defined in the perception of people. There may be two people who look at the same picture and have totally different feelings. A person brought up in countryside may find a painting of a barn very evocative where the other one may not get to identify to the same picture.
2. Cultural and Social background
Background culture is a strong influencing factor of the perception of art. What has been made sacred by one culture may be transgressive or possibly nothing at all to another.
Drawing an example, nude in art can be a praise of human body in one society and vulgar or inappropriate in another.
3. Emotional Reactions
Art brings out emotion and emotion is not rational but individual. What art can make a person feel about it can be joy, anger, sadness, or disgust, and it varies according to the mood of an individual, his or her personality and values.
4. No Universal Standards
Although there are such aspects as composition, colour theory, or technique, there is no rulebook to define what good art is. A picture drawn with a crayon by a child can be as touching to a parent as a masterpiece by Monet.
FAQs
Q1: Why does art often challenge societal norms?
Art mirrors the thinking and experience of humans. By breaking the rules set by society, artists usually aim to create a point of discussion, to challenge authority, or to point towards injustice. This renders art an effective agent of social change as well as attracts controversy in cases that it opposes mainstream beliefs.
Q2: Is all controversial art valuable or meaningful?
Not necessarily. There are the pieces of art that are conceived just to shock, and there are those that convey intense philosophical, social, or political connotations. The worth of art, whether controversial or not, is highly dependent on the cultural environment of the art and reception by people and what the artist had in mind.
Q3: How do museums handle controversial art?
Museums have trodden a delicate balance between depicting significant work and being sensitive to the people. Others exhibit problematic works with context and explanation, others opt to purge them or censor them after receiving backlash. In the end, museums are trying to harmonize the individual right to free speech and social duty.
