“The Death of Marat,” painted by Jacques-Louis David in 1793, is an example of how art can convey powerful messages. Depicting the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat, a revolutionary leader during the French Revolution, David utilized composition and technique in such a way to inspire other revolutionaries. READ MORE
The Power of the Arts – Part One of Four
In our political environment today, artists and arts enthusiasts can feel helpless, overwhelmed or fearful.
It is understandable.
Last week, a longtime political colleague advised caution with my Abbetuck social media posts.
“I pray the transformative power of the arts will truly create change, but I fear those who believed that in the 1930s were hauled off to the camps,” he wrote. “I suggest while you’re doing that you may also want to stop at the gun store buy an AR-15 and plenty of ammunition!”
Yikes!
Setting Aside the Emotional Response
Often, I turn to science and knowledge to set aside emotions of helplessness, overwhelm and fear.
There is a significant body of data that demonstrates the power of the arts to change society. The research spans various disciplines, including psychology, sociology, education and public health. It also examines how the arts can influence individual and collective behavior, attitudes and social structures.
For the intellectually curious, I have identified eight areas of research and paired them with eight arts disciplines that prove the point.
I include the first two of these in this Abbetuck POV:
- Social Cohesion and Building a Sense of Community
- Education and Cognitive Development
The Art and Science of Addressing Sociopolitical Issues
Perhaps one of these examples of the power of the arts will:
- influence you to push back against growing repression of the freedom of creative expression.
- provide data and an example to those who do believe in the power of the arts to affect change.
Social Cohesion, Building a Sense of Community and the Arts | Theatre
Thornton Wilder’s 1938 play “Our Town” explores the everyday lives of the residents of Grover’s Corners, emphasizing the importance of community and human connection.
Written during the Great Depression, the play offered a nostalgic and hopeful reflection on small-town American life. This provided comfort and introspection during a challenging time. Wilder received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the work.
Shown: Daniel Rader photograph of “Our Town” from the 2024 Broadway production.
Social Cohesion, Building a Sense of Community and the Arts | SCIENCE
Take a deep dive into the topic. Review and consider these examples of research and reports on the power of the arts to build communities and bring us together:
Education and Cognitive Development | Classical Music
One piece of classical music that speaks to the value of education, particularly in the Western classical tradition, is “The Planets” by Gustav Holst, specifically the movement “Mercury, the Winged Messenger.”
Mercury, in Roman mythology, is the god of communication, intellect, and learning. The movement features rapid, light and intricate melodies passed between instruments, creating a sense of dialogue and symbolizing the swift exchange of ideas and knowledge.
Watch a four-minute YouTube video of “Mercury, the Winged Messenger” as performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in 2015.
Education and Cognitive Development | Science
Take a deep dive into the topic. Review and consider these examples of research and reports on the power of the arts to augment learning and our critical thinking skills:
Now What?
Rather than heading to the gun store (yet) or feeling helpless, overwhelmed or fearful, I will soon invite verified Abbetuck subscribers to connect in an online discussion.
We will explore actions that performing, visual and literary artists—and arts enthusiasts—might individually and collectively take in response to current American affairs.
Uncle Sam needs you. He has run out of ideas.
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