Art’s Influence

Oh, some as soon would throw it all

As soon a part away.

And some will say all sorts of things,

But some mean what they say.

Robert Frost

If you are looking for me on a Monday afternoon you will find me downtown at the Central Library. In the basement, surrounded by stacks of boxes filled with books. Sorting carefully through each box looking for books to be resold either on Amazon or at a book sale. A side from donating my time to the Friends of the Library, an added benefit is being allowed to take home a book or two that will not be sold. Which is how I acquired a copy of, In the Clearing, by Robert Frost. It contains, The Gift Outright, which Mr. Frost read at John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural ceremonies in 1961, as well as the poem, Ends, from which the quote above was taken.

As my frustration grows with the rhetoric leading up to this years presidential election, Frost’s writing about duplicity expresses my own feelings. I wonder how anyone can possibly believe some of the outrageous statements being made? Sadly, the reality is, many do. “If you don’t stand for something , you will fall for anything.” , comes to mind. I’m having trouble understanding what some political factions actually stand for.

Occasionally, I need to vent just as Robert Frost did. Which brings me to another subject. I worry that in today’s society, we don’t appreciate the value of the arts. Funding for arts education has been cut in many school districts. Standardized testing has put a large emphasis on math and reading at the expense of the arts. Remember those elementary school field trips to the symphony, the art museum? They are happening less and less often. Many museums continue to struggle post COVID pandemic.The American Alliance of Museums 2022 survey shows attendance remains down nearly 40 percent, 60 percent of museums report financial losses since March 2022.

So, where am I going with this? There is a strong tie between the arts and politics. Diego Rivera, Goya and Picasso , as well as many other artists, used their art to express political opinions. Literature and even music are often influenced by politics. People are moved by what they see, read and hear. Many political regimes have censored the arts. Nazi Germany destroyed thousands of books and paintings.

Considering another role of art. I ran across an article, I saved, from the New York Times, The Power of Art in a Political Age, David Brooks, March 2, 2023. In it the author writes about art as a vehicle to escape the politicization of our world. A medium that allows us find a glimmer of hope and respite in the face of the thunderous voice of doom we encounter daily.

The many roles art plays in our society underlines its importance in our lives. We can’t afford to take it for granted. Go to museums and concerts, support libraries and bookstores. Keep an open mind. Before you agree to a book being banned, read it. Form you own opinion. Explore a style of art you haven’t really looked at before. Open up your mind to something different.