Art and violence, oil and water

How does art provide a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of reality, to increase our self-awareness, and to reduce the possibility of violence?

The concept of freedom is incredibly important to understand and appreciate in our society, as it refers to the ability to be aware of and express our potentialities. Art is an incredibly powerful tool to help individuals, groups, and society to gain a better understanding of themselves and of reality, while reducing or preventing unjustified violence. This can be seen in the works of Collingwood, Vygotsky, and Clive Bell, who all argued that the aesthetic experience can provide a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of reality, to increase our self-awareness, and to reduce the possibility of violence. Through art, knowledge and freedom can be nourished, leading to a better understanding of the world around us and providing the potential for it to be our salvation.

What is the concept of freedom?

When discussing the concept of freedom, it is important to note that it refers to the ability of a human being to be aware of and express their affective and cognitive potentialities. Art can help individuals, groups, and society to gain a better understanding of themselves and of reality. This deeper knowledge can reduce or prevent unjustified violence, which is caused by an irrational interpretation of reality. It can also lead to more reasonable, constructive, and benevolent strategies when conflicts arise. Therefore, we could also say that "art nourishes our knowledge."

Collingwood argued that art is expressive imagination, where emotions are changed by conscious thought. This transformation of emotions through imagination encourages self-awareness and provides the opportunity to explore new ways of perceiving and feeling. Through the aesthetic experience, freedom, knowledge, and pleasure are connected, allowing individuals to experience a new dimension where power relationships do not exist.

What power relationships are often the cause of aggressive attitudes and behavior?

In our past and present societies, power relationships are often the cause of aggressive attitudes and behavior. In the aesthetic experience, freedom is linked to the absence of these power relations, allowing individuals to explore their emotions and thoughts without limitations. This dimension also allows individuals to connect with a deeper form of knowledge, which in turn bolsters self-awareness and reduces the possibility of violence.

Vygotsky argued that the artistic form creates a new reality where no one can be harmed. He also believed that the transformation of reality through the artistic form can be likened to “the water” being transformed into “wine.” Similarly, Clive Bell argued that the aesthetic experience is rooted in the “significant form” of the work of art, which is what differentiates it from the realm of life. Bell also suggested that art could be the world’s salvation.

Overall, art provides a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of reality, to increase our self-awareness, and to reduce the possibility of violence. By nourishing our knowledge and freedom, art can potentially be the world’s salvation.

What is the importance of understanding and appreciating the concept of freedom in our society?

The concept of freedom is essential to our lives and our societies, as it allows us to explore our potentialities and gain a better understanding of ourselves and of reality. Art is an incredibly powerful tool to help us do this, as it encourages self-awareness and reduces the possibility of violence. Through the aesthetic experience, freedom, knowledge, and pleasure are connected, allowing individuals to explore their emotions and thoughts without limitations. This new dimension also allows individuals to connect with a deeper form of knowledge, which in turn bolsters self-awareness and reduces the possibility of violence. By nourishing our knowledge and freedom, art can potentially be the world’s salvation. Therefore, it is essential that we appreciate and understand the power of art in our lives, and the importance of the concept of freedom.

Art as a language of life

Pina Bausch said in her 1999 speech at the University of Bologna, when she received an honorary doctorate, that artistic creation should find a language that can communicate something that has always existed within us. She referred to this as a "very precise knowledge" that everyone possesses, and that dance, music, and other forms of art are exact languages to express this knowledge. Furthermore, she argued that this knowledge has to do with life and thus, finding a language to express life is of paramount importance.

Vygotsky's view is also relevant in this context, as he described art as a form of transformation that can completely alter a mundane event into something unique, meaningful and transcendent. This type of experience can provide perspective in the visions and perspectives of our everyday lives. Art can even be more beneficial than science, as Virgil once said that art is capable of revealing things that science can't.

Thus, it appears that pleasure, knowledge, and morals are all essential components of the aesthetic experience and art can teach us how to live.