Art produces its values through artistic activity and artistic assimilation of reality. The task of art and music is the cognition of the aesthetic, the artistic interpretation of the phenomena of the surrounding world by the author. Art enriches culture with spiritual values through artistic production, the creation of subjective ideas about the world, and a system of images symbolizing the meanings and ideals of a certain time. For example, women depicted by artists during the Renaissance have rather large forms, unlike modern standards (Ames-Lewis, & Rogers, 2019). This reflects the ideals of the time and allows modern people to learn more about the thinking of people of the past. Thanks to subjectivation, art can maintain an open value system, an open search and choice of orientation in culture, which ultimately fosters a person’s spiritual independence, freedom of spirit. For culture, this is an important potential and a factor in its development.
Art often reflects what is happening in the world and gives people a better feel for the modern problems of humanity. A prime example is Michael Jackson’s Earth Song. This song was written in 1995, and even then the author sang about the environmental and social problems of the world. Jackson sang: “Did you ever stop to notice all the children dead from war?” (1995). In these lines, he protests against the violence and wars that constantly appear in the world. Indeed, people tend to make sacrifices for the sake of some big goals, but this is far from always justified. Thus, this work of art reflects the social and cultural characteristics of the era. It is important for the history of art and culture of the 20th century and allows listeners to understand what is happening not only with their minds, but also with their feelings.
References
Ames-Lewis, F., & Rogers, M. (2019). Concepts of beauty in Renaissance art. Taylor & Francis.
Jackson, M. (1995). Earth song [Song]. On HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I [Album]. Epic Records.