Can Art Equals Struggles?
What do you consider to be art? Art is simply an item that is supposed to be visual/auditory whether it is music, a play, or what the viewer would like to portray as art. Each and every person has their own meaning of what art is and what it is supposed to mean. Therefore, that’s why I believe that it isn’t the artist’s job to reflect the times. A current debate that has been arising is if all art has to be political. To apply the idea that the meaning of art should be up to the viewer, the artist should create the artwork, and then let the viewer interpret how they want. In the article “No, All Art Is Not Political”, Nate Mancini states “…politics is not necessarily the core of everything we do”, (Mancini). Mancini is arguing politics doesn’t always have to be vivid in everything we see or do. To apply this idea to art, he is arguing that when an artist creates artwork it doesn’t have to be for political reasoning. For example, Nina Simone does a great way of showing who she is and raising awareness in her art, but others could see it as a political view. Nina Simone believes that an artist’s purpose is to “reflect the times”. I agree and disagree with Nina Simone. If the artist wants the work to reflect the times, then I support the artist’s decision but I don’t believe that every artist should have the expectation that art needs to “reflect the times”. Art’s duty is to help the viewer to feel emotion, therefore I believe that since art can be seen in many ways it needs to be the viewer’s decision on how they want to interpret the artwork.
One purpose of art is to reveal who the viewer is. It does this by making the viewer feel emotions and connecting them back to themselves. According to the Ted Talk presenter Titus Kapher “Can Art Amend History”, he states “Painting is a visual language where everything in the painting is meaningful, is important” (7:14). Kapher is arguing that when it comes to painting/art it doesn’t matter what is included in the painting/artwork it has its own special meaning. Art should be made solely on the influences from the artist whether they want it to have a meaningful purpose or not. Art is made to have a meaningful purpose. Nate Mancini also agrees on this topic. In the article “No, All Art Is Not Political”, Nate Mancini states “…politics is not necessarily behind artistic decisions,” (Mancini). Mancini is arguing that when artwork is portrayed the artist didn’t have to make it based on politics. Mancini is fighting for the idea that artists don’t have to be influenced by political views to create art. Mancini and Kapher both agree that art doesn’t have to be political to be considered good. They both believe that art comes from the heart. If art is forced to be political to be portrayed as good art then the artwork truly doesn’t come from the artist’s heart. If artwork doesn’t come from the heart is it really art?
Example of Titus Kapher art work called the “Analogous Colors” photo cred Titus Kapher website
Although art doesn’t have to be political, there are a handful of people that still believe that art needs to have a political meaning to make it purposeful. Art having a political meaning makes it intriguing to the viewer. In the article “All Good Art is Political” Ravi Rajan argues for the idea that art needs to be political. Rajan states, “…art attempting to not be political ends up endorsing the status quo and is, therefore, still political…” (Rajan). Rajan is arguing that even if an artist doesn’t purposely make their art off a political reason, it can still end up being political. For example, a song written about narcan and a drug addiction, can end up being political. Not everyone follows politics therefore if all art is based on politics the viewer can’t connect to the artwork and will become uninterested. I really enjoy viewing art and seeing other artists’ creative artwork. If all art were made off of politics, I would hate art. Art isn’t made to be a hateful topic. Rajan also states, “We may argue about the political content or message in any particular piece of art, but we cannot and should not deny an artist’s right to be political,” (Rajan). Rajan is arguing that as a society we may argue about what political message the artist is trying to portray; but we can’t tell the artist that they can’t make art with a political message. When creating art the artist has freedom to make their artwork on creative thoughts they have. Since the artist has freedom on their artwork, I still disagree with Rajan that in order to make art good it has to be political. I still believe that artists have freedom, and it is left up to the viewer on how they want to interpret their artwork.
Although most people try to hide their fear and insecurities, artists help shed light on what many might consider horrific secrets. When Demi Lovato was off stage she struggled with a cocaine addiction, bulimia, self harm, depression, and bipolar disorder. Demi Lovato has admitted herself into hospital and rehab, in order to better herself. Lovato got cleaned for six years, and ended up relapsing tremendously leaving her near death. She overdosed by taking heroin laced with fentanyl. When she was 25 this left her with three strokes, and a heart attack, minutes from death leaving her with long term effects of impaired vision from neurological damage. People think of drug addictions being selfish when it is a disease and a mental illness. Just like Lovato, people get to the point where they overdose and aren’t lucky and end up dying. In order for this to stop, we need to start raising awareness to drug addicts so they can feel like they can get the help they need. Although Lovato is raising awareness for drug addictions, one song won’t make the issue vanish overnight. There will always be a stigma towards drug addictions whether the person has no heart or lacks knowledge on the topic. Demi Lovato connects her near death experience with her song “Dancing WIth The Devil” which came out in 2021. In the song, Lovato often refers to her demons which caused her poor actions. These lines refer to the night where she overdosed on heroin laced with fentanyl. This night started off on her sixth anniversary of being sober with a glass of red wine. She didn’t think that it would lead to her completely relapsing. Lovato finally thought she had her life headed in the right direction, but having one glass of red wine led her to being raped and overdosing. There are two main lines that Lovato refers to throughout the whole song. The first line is “It’s just a little red wine, I’ll be fine,” ( 0:06). What Lovato is arguing in the song, is that a little glass of red wine wouldn’t make her relapse. Lovato wanted the one glass of red wine as a reward. After having the one glass, she realizes that she was “Dancing with the devil, out of control,” (0;46). The devil that Lovato is referring to is her drug addiction, and she is currently dancing with it since she relapsed from drinking one glass of red wine and dancing with a constant battle which is her addiction. Lovato also mentions how one little lie can lead into a scarier lie. For example her hiding her drinking led her into hiding her relapse. When viewing that song on apple music and going to the album it shows Lovato’s thoughts and brief reasoning behind the songs. Lovato mentions how the song is “…so significant and means so much to me…,” (Lovato). Lovatos shows by stating how the songs make her feel that music can have such a strong and powerful effect whether it’s coming from the artist or listener.
Demi Lovato album cover of “Dancing with the Devil” photo cred taking from the internet
Music is a very complex system. Music can greatly impact a person’s life whether music brings up sad or happy moments. Oftentimes people can connect to music to a specific time, memory, or thought. Whether those moments are happy or sad, it gives a reminiscing feeling when listening to the music. Personally when I reminisce on a moment, whether it was happy or sad overall I feel happy knowing that I overcame a hard time or at least learned from it. I was asked what my first memory of music was and what it made me feel? The answer is Justin Bieber. My first memory of music is Bieber fever. I remember being young and in love, and hearing his music falling more and more in love. I had all the fan gear. Now everytime I hear Justin Bieber it still puts a smile one my face, bringing me back to when I was younger. When I listen to certain songs it brings me back to certain memories like dancing with my dad, funerals, school dances, my mom, my foster brother and really anyone or anything in a moment worth remembering. Whether music brings up positive or negative emotions, I simply love how turning on the radio or apple music can make me feel.
If I were to wake up as a songwriter tomorrow I would write a song about mental illness and drug addiction to raise awareness. I think that if the artist wants to include information to raise awareness it is a first great step in the right direction. Music can be an indirect way to start raising awareness. Music can be an indirect way to raise awareness because oftentimes it takes multiple time and concentration to realize the meaning of a song as they fall in love with the song. Demi Lovato is still producing meaningful songs. Demi Lovato is a great artist. I admire all the work she has put into herself, and into her work. I couldn’t imagine the courage it takes to write music like the song Dancing With The Devil, let alone sharing your own struggles as well. One question I would ask Lovato would be, Was there anyone that influenced you to write powerful music like dancing with the devil, and expressing your struggles?
