During the previous
week, we had Scott Tate (who conducts research in the area of community
development, and the effects of arts and culture), as a guest. Using
communities such as Roanoke and Belfast, Ireland, he discussed how art
(including those he termed "marginal") is used to build and heal (in
the case of Ireland) communities. Art in whatever form can act as a catalyst
for change. The problems in the Ulster region of Ireland cannot be brought to
the U.S., but a picture of a graffiti-covered
separating fence can be used to educate Americans on the Irish
struggles.
What we make usually
defines who we are, which is why the identity of a city is usually determined by landmarks, which are works of
art and are representative of our culture(s). New York City is associated with
the Statue of Liberty, Philadelphia with the LOVE sculpture by Robert Indiana,
Rio de Janeiro with the Christ the Redeemer statue, etc. Due to the presence of
art everywhere we turn, art and culture can become ways to address problems in
the society. Problems such as sustainability, transportation, etc. Art becomes
an avenue for education like these Arizona art museum exhibits.
New York City, which
is to many the art capital of the world, understands the potential of art. It
is home to over a hundred museums, galleries and collections, both public and
privately-owned. Central Park in NYC is a work of art in itself, and it plays
host to several art and cultural events during the year. It dictates the layout
of the city to an extent, and one might notice that several of the city's
numerous cultural establishments such as the Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan
Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History are located close to the
park. Works of art attract people, and people attract more people. People
attract businesses, and this is what keeps a city alive. In an article
published by the American Association of Community Theatre [sic], actual
figures were used to indicate the impact of arts on the economy.
-O.I.
-O.I.
Wonderful post! I am glad you focused on art because it is a common form of communication we all have amongst each other regardless of race or ethnicity. I find it to also be a means of communicating ones cultural values to those who may not understand the language. I found your comment “Art in whatever form can act as a catalyst for change” is directly related to what I believe in well. Not only do the people define a city but its art as well. As you said, Ney York City is world-renowned for being a major art hub. Also, art as does not have to pertain simply to something drawn, but rather a physical place such as a park, more specifically Central Park in NYC as you provided. To enhance a city, I believe art must be a major factor in doing so.
ReplyDeleteMatt Davis – Group 8
Great post! Art is an avenue for education. Also, economical stance, "Works of art attract people, and people attract more people. People attract businesses, and this is what keeps a city alive."
ReplyDeleteGood post. Cities should consider adding more art. Art cleans up the look of the city and attracts tourists. Cities could boost businesses' bottom lines by adding unique art pieces that people would go to see. Art is definitely essential for a city
ReplyDelete-Mark Harner
Interesting post. I think it is great that you were able to make a strong case about art as a centralized piece of a city. New York City is a great example of how a city can utilize art to build and strengthen their city brand. For example, the art pieces of New York that you have mentioned are iconic pieces, and landmarks that are thought of and referred to immediately to represent New York.
ReplyDelete-Ashley Broderick
Good ideas on the moving of art into a strong motivational way to grow sectors of a certain town. The ways that this is done grows areas but at the same time it can grow out of an area that makes it a some what angry business to get into for if you choose the wrong area then things can go very wrong and lead to a result that will not help the city at all.
ReplyDelete-Group 14