1. Art keeps us hopeful 2. Art makes us less lonely 3. Art rebalances us 4. Art helps us to appreciate stuff 5. Art ist propaganda for what really matters
I am an art student and have been struggling in my head, questioning whether I made the right decision by saying that I want to make art for the rest of my life- Thank you for this video. It addresses some commonly held, but deeply seated questions.
I feel and plead that everyone should be making art for the rest of their life. To express art is as important of a trade and skill as communicating through writing or even speaking. To take away my pen and brush is to take away my voice. There is nothing more important short of air, food and water to my very being!
Spot on. Everyone needs art of some kind to live a healthy life, whether it's visual arts, architecture, crafts, music, dance, literature, etc, etc. Personally art/music is what keeps me going. I find so much inspiration in the talent of other people, particularly animators and game creators, there's something about being able to step into the dreams of another person.
Kaleb Sagehorn Ah, so anyone who enjoys art of any kind is trying to be hip or edgy? All those cave painters, so narcissistic. How incredibly idiotic. It's completely unnessesary to provide any logic for why I enjoy art, I just do, it's as uncontrollable as a hiccup. Do you really not find enjoyment in a single movie, song, video game, or art of any kind? If you truly don't, I'm very sorry for you. As to why art is useful, it can have many purposes; the dispensation of new ways of thinking, particularly helps visualizing abstract ideas of complex science, new ideas- or the recording of history and culture. This is for the benefit of civilization, but art also benefits the individual emotionally and even physiologically. Perhaps you are incapable of benefiting from art in this way because of some mental irregularity, but that doesn't mean it doesn't benefit others.
+Kaleb Sagehorn Plato had this exact argument. He said that if art mirrors reality then we're wasting our lives looking at art, when we should be living. It's an interesting point of view. I don't personally agree, but it's quite valid to point out.
Art doesn't just mirror reality, it helps us understand it and points of view that would otherwise be beyond our direct experiences.Rashmika The Writer
Art is the discovery of one's self. It's the use of imagination and creativity. Whats it good for? Unlike things civilizations stress like agriculture, medicine, and scientific breakthroughs, art is a form of human ingenuity. Like law, philosophy, knowledge, and order, Art is a stem of human possibility. We cant live as humans if we only practiced war and science. We need law and knowledge and ideas of justice. Art, whatever form whether poetry or whatever, is like a bridge that helps us connect these ideas. It falls under the ability for us to think. Something, we hardly do now with only test scores and evolutions in war.
I feel like art is a bit more ambiguous than that. While I really appreciate and agree with most of the points this video makes, I think that what really makes art art is its apparent uselessness. The true purpose of art has changed hugely throughout the years going from being merely decorative, made by artisans, to sharp and critical. In my opinion, art's true strength nowadays relies on its capacity as a means of communication, as a tool to bring forth a new train of thought, to sharpen societies' consciousness. It helps us wonder about the world and pushes us to reach our own conclusions. Unfortunately, there will always be people who will try to exploit the market, who will poison art's true nature with pretentiousness and will turn it into something snotty and obnoxious. Looking forward for the next vid, keep up the good work :)
It makes me think about how, for example, art during the most war-like times in Japan was the most serene, favoring monochromatic brush paintings. But then in the Tokugawa era, where society became more peaceful yet more stifled and restricted by an overbearing government, art became more bold and experimental.
+Rachael Lefler you are mixing eras and misnomering them as well; not to mention the idiocy of your ideas; your feed of Japanese culture must be coming from comic books;
I also did a paper on a Japanese brush painting that I saw at the St. Louis art museum. I had to do a lot of research for that because it was a semester-long project where we picked an object in the museum and did different papers discussing the same object (in this case the painting by Itsuun) in different theoretical frameworks.
It's can also be about questioning people's beliefs and making them think. It can be political, it can be angry, it can be ugly. It's not just about making us feel better, although that is a valid purpose.
My approach towards art is very critical: I can find art in daily things while most of what others consider as art doesn't resonate in me. Therefore, if art resonates in me, it can be a light at the end of a tunnel because of how emotional I can get and feel that I'm not alone.
I totally agree with the author, and specially with the points about art making us hopeful and less lonely. Personally, I appreciate music as a form of art, and Russian music is considered to be the most depressing one in the world. So, listening to it gives me a feeling of being a part of something bigger.
Art expresses a persons thoughts visually and there emotions in the artwork. Art can show us a persons happiness or saddens or it can also tell us a person’s story. Art should be made because without art our world really has no foundation, art is all around everyday we just chose to ignore that.
thank the school of life this helped me to understand why i like so much sad art work : i like it because i find it "truer" or more loyal toward the truth
+The School of Life Hoffnung, Schiller. Ein kleines Lämpchen, links oben. Sinnierend. Zählt Zeit? Dualismen für Kunst in schillernden Schönheiten. Meine Expression der Vollkommenheit in Harmonie: sechstöckige Bienenbauten und Laute. Marginale Posten auf reduziertet Gesamtheit. Eben Nicht! Wortgefetz in penetrierend, in balsamierend. Kratziges Etwas in Schweizerisch. Schweiz, das Deutschland der Welt.
Art helps us to appreciate stuffy because it connects us with the reality . The works of arts are a representation of the concrete word , so appreciating them makes us reflect and understand life . Ferreira Gullar , a Brazilian artist , stated that “ art exists because just life is not enough” .
I studied photography (degree), and although it is not a classic form of art, it is art nonetheless. I prefer art with a purpose, more of a purpose than you mention, something that I can visually see and embrace, such as the photo montages of Peter Kennard or works along the lines of Bansky, obvious propaganda, but with a strong purpose. The work I enjoy most is the work that highlights the problems in society and puts them on display for the world to see in plain view over the constant talk of celebrities etc. Maybe this is because of my photography background (seeing the world for what it is up front and personal), but because of this I don't really believe that art 'fills a gap' for me. More like it perpetuates what I already believe in and see. Very interesting video though, it's always good to see other things in art that others normally wouldn't see, and it sparked ideas of what art means to me as a person, so thank you.
This movement - the School of Life - articulates an attitude I've been struggling to which I've struggled to give voice: Education is supposed to console, enlighten, embolden, ignite, and construct. All it did for me was "deconstruct." The confusion wasn't productive. I believe in the humanities, even in a world of technocrats, number crunches, pragmatists, politicians, and engineers. They certainly have their place and I am grateful that they exist. But we are human :) And therefore we need the humanities.
I realized the beauty of art when I started going into the gym, I made something so simple like barbells and dumbells into so much meaningful to me. I’m slowly getting into well known and lesser known painters and reading about their personal life’s and emotions that they felt when making genuine art.
Art is everything, done by a person who expressing her/himself emotions. That art can provide as aesthetic view in all things we have now. Because of creative minds of our artist can provide more meaning on why we are still live in this world. Without art our lives are so empty or what i mean is that boring.
I guess, it all can be united in a point about rebalancing. Art drives us to hope when we need some; it gives some external empathy to someone who seeks it (hence it makes us less lonely); artist also can call for someone's appreciation of certain things
music is just a predictable pattern of sounds that your brain recognizes. the brain releases dopamine while it searches for these patterns and predicts their changes. over time, it becomes less of a task for the brain. this then makes you like the song less due to you playing it too much. so what? you can simplify so many things to a simple scientific level to the point where they seem like they mean nothing. If people didn't place purpose and meaning in the little things in life that make them happy; the world would be a sadder place.
"I am arguing that music adds no value to the human race and should stop being held in such high esteem." then why have humans from all over the world been making music for millennia? it's obviously important or we wouldn't still be making it. Scientists are great, but artists and musicians are great too. What would science be without art and art without science? you can't separate them bud
I've been questioning the value of my work a lot lately. People around me tell me it's important I do what I do, like it's important for them, but I do not fully comprehend why. I needed this, thanks School of Life. Also love this 4:52 😂
In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay. And unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable. And help to change it. Ernst Fischer
Changes your mindset if just for a while. I think that a lot of the negative we see in others is just their stress and worries. Does not reflect them as people. So i try to be kinder and not see people as "Them and us". Art keeps me calm, and help me to think rationally. Great video.
I think part of the difficulty of answering that question is that some of the most compelling art expresses things we can not. It can be something that you can not express due to fear of judgement like the video pointed out and it can sometimes be the only way to accurately convey something you can not figure out how to express through words. It can be rather jarring when you experience artwork that does both.
I loved this film: both ideas and execution. Thank you. A simple springboard for thinking about the place for non-pragmatism and the enduring satisfaction of all art forms. Lovely stuff.
The use of art to balance us is an interesting idea. I remember when I visited India and had some very intense experiences where I started to feel like the world was just chaos and there was nothing to hang onto, I finally understood how someone could appreciate Zen art and Zen living spaces. Before those experiences the thought of living in such a bare and controlled environment seemed boring and sterile to me, but now I can understand it in my own personal way. At least in that head space it seemed like a lovely prospect it be surrounded by simplicity.
I'm sure it would be time-consuming but what a treat it would be to know the names of the artists for the many beautiful works in this short film; especially for segment 2: Art makes us less lonely.
A few references for further reading might be nice, too. I was really taken by the last point, but searching Google Scholar for "is art propaganda for what really matters?" will be unproductive.
1) Art keeps us hopeful ~ 0:38 2) Art makes us less lonely ~ 1:28 3) Art rebalances us ~ 2:27 4) Art helps us to appreciate stuff ~ 3:40 5) Art is propaganda for what really matters ~ 4:28
"Life imitates art far more than art imitates life." I've never understood this quote. I always agreed that art imitates life, not the other way around. Can someone explain?
On nowadays society, art reintegrates some essential things that we frequently forget because of the mentality imposed... like appreciating the oranges... But, on the other hand, not always art applies to that quote; art can be a way to criticize and expose some of what went wrong in the world... like sebastião salgado's early pictures depicting the capitalist world in its hardest facet... Art has many facets and purposes... like life, after all...
I have a problem with this quote in general. If conceptually life and art are in duality and theyre constantly imitating each other, than we might as well rid the concept of imitation and argue what is the source, what is the originator, life or art? What came first? Then the issue is defining "life" and "art". Well... both involve creation. Is life art? I think thats a much more fruitful debate :)
Fo Qu imagine a marble stone, naturally carved to look like a statue of Plato. Would that still be art? or rather said, would you put meaning upon it, and make it art? Would the stone still be art, if no one ever knew of it? So all in all, does art really need a creators?
Art as the process of creating things is what makes us human. Nothing created by human can exist without someone imaginating it first. In a way, the wheel was invented by an artist, the pottery that allow us to cook... most of the important inventions in our society were first invented by artists. Great artists of all times were also inventors. :) Art is way more ancient than science and it´s the human soul, as it is the creation of things that have not a clear purpose that differenciates us from the other animals.
Great video Alain de Botton ! In case you were wondering, I've also heard many praises for "Art as Therapy" at the Art Gallery of Ontario - where I work as a docent. Many visitors have personally expressed how different, relatable and mind-opening it is.
Art is a response to the conversation of life. Good art gives, it presents an hypothesis that its intended audience can understand and inspires them to reflect on and respond in their own way.
That kind of makes sense. I live a peaceful life surrounded by technology in the countryside where everything is getting renewed, or rather "too new". I myself admire works of art which depict war, weapons, post-apocalypse and ruins, which I find fond. Also sometimes when I am surrounded by aged technology I admire science fiction
Art is life, art is the nature, the universe, every thing on earth comes as a result of art, if a business man is an artist because if creates his business plan from his mind, because art is as a result of emotions and feelings, art is spiritual, art is everything.. My journey as an artist opened my eyes to what art is,its element, how to and all that..
What is art for? It is the medium in which we communicate directly to our consciousness in the timeless language of understanding. What this video seems to answer is how can artistic images help us feel good. Pretty can help heal the Pain. It seems to purposely avoid mentioning how paintings like The Slave Ship can portray powerful political messages. Or how art like cave paintings or the pyramids themselves timelessly convey messages to us today (though we get a fundamentally different message from them). Pretty is great but what about all the art which surrounds us and is misleading us purposefully. I'm speaking of the regular bombardment of advertisements and propaganda that we see regularly. Our ability to quickly perceive images and understand their meaning is fundamental to consciousness and a large part of what made us human. Today our innate ability to comprehend imagery is being used against us to make us buy things or agree with ideals. Most people don't see this as art or think it has no effect on them. Trust me if it had no effect on you companies wouldn't bother so much. The truth is when you factor in advertisements, commercials and logos the vast majority of the art we see is more persuasive more than pretty. Thus What is art for today? Brand recognition
This might be a bit much to ask, but could anyone name all the works of art that appear in the video? I'm really curious about them all and would like to learn more.
amandajiamin Abstract painting by Gustave Moreau The Seine at Argenteuil by Auguste Renoir Roses de Nice on a Table by Henri Fantin-Latour Two figures by Renoir a landscape by Monet Sunset in Venice by Monet The Japanese Bridge by Monet Seine at Rouen by Monet The Grand Canal by Monet Angel by Carl Soren Dahl (sculpture) The Abbey in the Oakwood by Caspar David Friedrich Early Snow by Caspar David Friedrich Some kneeling figure by Egon Schiele Another figure by Schiele a women by Edgar Degas Interior by Degas landscape by Claude Lorrain some kind of a romantic scene in a garden by Jean Honore Fragonard drawing of two figures by Pierre Paul Prudhon Madonna by Correggio Andromache Mourning Hector by Jacques Louis David The Oath of the Horatii by David Hylas and the Nymphs by John William Waterhouse The Lady of Shalott by Waterhouse Water lilies by Monet Grass by Albrecht Durer Clouds by John Constable Oranges by Vincent van Gogh Fountain by Marcel Duchamp Cutouts from (self-)portraits of Monet, Degas, Paul Klee and van Gogh The Little Street by Vermeer In the Mountains by Albert Bierstadt Two colorful paintings by Greyson Perry Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci The birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli Abstraction by Gustave Moreau once again Glacier Point Trail by Albert Bierstadt
I find lots of art makes me feel the same when I am trying to express a problem or feeling to someone and they articulate it in a better way than I could have. It reflects something inside us and helps to understand things that we feel better. Its an appreciation that someone else somewhere has felt like this art, and if you feel like the art as well, then you are not alone in that feeling. It gives us connection with other people, which is something that is incredibly important. That's my thoughts anyway.
It refines our creativity. It allows us to establish a greater sense of self. It reinforces and becomes culture. It reinforces us spiritually. It is weightlifting for the mind. It engages the practice of humans using their vision. It allows for economic gain.
solomon grundy Not to be disagreeable, but they might be on to something with that idea. Think about it patiently. I have noticed that the music of traditional societies (where life is mean and dangerous) tends to sound very happy. Whereas "modern music" in our comfortable, insured, and mechanized society, frequently sounds dissonant, mean, angry and harsh.
The art is more deeply. It's not only for beauty. This is for contemplation. Thinking. Feeling. And it may be ugly and scary in some sense, but interesting and valuable at the same time.
A fair assessment and while it's probably covered in some of the five points I think art can often create a new mode of language to connect us and interact. Our interactions with artwork have evolved thanks to modern art which allows art particularly to transcend class. The aspect of involvement is quintessentially 21st century and incredible.
Yes, hope. Whenever I start a painting I always hope it'll turn out right. People tell me it looks okay but I'm rarely convinced. Maybe SoL could do a short film on perfectionism, the curse of the creative?
I think you forgot the most important reason - Art may just be THE Reason. We all have to go to work for living. Doing one thing or another that in some way or another helps keep Civilisation chugging along. What's it all for? Money? For whome. You? The company? I posit that all this work that we do - in addition to keeping this great machine running - also allows the the freedom - the luxury - to also do things we love. Like Art.
Such a great point that art gets too much reverence and mystique. The glorious Philadelphia Museum of Art does a great job breaking down barriers with their "art after 5" program and wednesday night activities (like yoga in the galleries). I wish we had more of that here in Scotland.
Other uses of art are: economically art is purchased by the wealthier in society and so can quite often allow money to flow back down to the lower earning areas of society (though exceptions are pretty plentiful); also society tends to naturally go towards stability while art contests the assumptions within this stability allowing it to change for society to continually adaptively evolve rather than stagnate.
I've now seen numerous videos by this channel. I have this weird alienation when viewing these. It's hard to describe, but I'd dare say that the makers of these videos are deeply entrenched in a certain collage ideology that seems to trigger all kinds of almost physical reactions with me. Now, to be abundantly clear: I respect the research and diligence that obviously go into creating these videos. But there's a distinct underlying positivism that seems to be all too willing to appropriate cultural phenomena like a revisionist Robin Hood and distribute them between 'us'. Because the 'we' in these videos is a very interesting one. There is an underlying emancipatory sentiment that keeps flooding out. I'd like to pose the question: What are these videos for? Because they are clearly not neutral. This is an essay. But the arguments are given commonsensical, to oppose them would be cynical. Why could anyone take issues with this optimism? -is a reaction I've already been given when trying to address these issues. There are all kinds of problems I see, though, for any of the examples given, I could give examples to the contrary. But that is admittingly not a very fruitful line of enquiry. The biggest issue I have is the way we end up neutralising art by the end of the video. We now 'understand' it. We know art's function. We now own it. We may stop revering it, we may now be comfortable with it. We can even -if we carry on with this line of thinking- judge art on account of its usefulness in these five categories. We successfully circumvented the sacrifice for instance (Van Gogh, Bataille) that is often, even unmetaphorically, given for these oranges to be remembered. We've handily done away with the problem of beauty, which is condensed to your first raison d'existance but might easily encompass all the others as well. And more importantly, we ignore the ambivalence between society and artist, between mass culture and the individual. While I do respect your efforts to bring some kind of agency to people new to the subject of art at a reasonable level. I honestly feel that there is a sense of dread lacking. To revere is also to acknowledge someone's or something's uncontrollable power. And in the case of art, this is not a wholly bad thing.
What do yo say about Contemporary art? The approach you have here is easy, and is actually pretty romantic outlook. But, trying to explain post-war art (that you didn't include but for two paintings), that's a real challenge.
Clearly it is an interaction between the creator and the person nothing the creation. I know it is Art, before you see it, but, it is finished by the person viewing it. Several times I have given away artwork, just because someone has found it amazing. Since we are all one, I would imagine the art was made for them a collaboration of energies beyond our current understanding. I know when I create Art, it is for someone,.
in terms of art it is wonderfully impossible to clarify anything universal, but i think that this video lacks a little reflection on how one of the most beautifucl things in about art is that it is useless in that it is far away from anything deemed practical or of a productive nature. it is to be regarded,experienced,thats it. (although i did really enjoy it because of how subliminally enthusiastic it was)
For those of you who need to write the reasons down for an assignment, here you go: 1) Art keeps us hopeful 2) Art makes us feel less lonely 3) Art rebalances us 4) Art helps us appreciate stuff 5) Art is propaganda for what really matters
The Oath of the Horatii was one favorite noticed just as much by both me and my Dad who went to the Louvre separately. Same lazy sort of carelessness in both of us that makes us wish we had more honor and discipline?
ART , in fact, is a quite vast term. You refer to visual art while the insights you dropped on us, in my opinion, speaks for all forms of art such as MUSIC, POETRY, SPORTS, ORIGAMI, etc. :Just thought it was wotrh mentioning
also theatre .. I hate when people refer only to painting .. The term is so complex and vast .. I kinda don't enjoy paintings ,but I do enjoy music ,literature and drama specially
So...is art a way to show us what the world is _actually_ like in all of its hidden aspects (especially during times when we tend to forget), or is it a way to compensate for the shortcomings of the world, creating a parallel and better reality? Is it Realism or is it Escapism? Is the world beautiful and perfect and balanced but we just can't see it, or is it just absurd and arbitrary--a fact we don't want to face? When I'm drawing something realistic, I often have the urge to tweak it, to stylize it, to _fix_ it. Every time I decide to give in or not, I have to wonder which would be the more faithful representation, because I know people don't always see things the way they are. Artists have to decide whether they should overcompensate in order to show the true essence (usually beauty, but not necessarily) and move away from realism, or if they should incorporate the imperfections and ugliness and hope that bringing attention to these things reveals the true meaning to the audience, whatever that may be.
I've been watching your channel and really like your videos. This video is one-sided, it is only the viewpoint of the viewer, and does not consider the point of art for the creator.
Hey guys Im a kid and i need advice I like art and I know that everything's related to art. I just don't see it as an important thing. I am not a troll and I am open. I just want you to clear this up because Im thinking about making music and all that. I think that the difference between a fast food restaurant and a Michelin star restaurant is the experience and the food in a Michelin star restaurant is very artistic and beautiful. But at the end of the day, what matters is what you eat and how healthy it is. Art isnt really needed but i appreciate it. I think that art is almost like a drug that you don't really need but seek. You can use art to increase your credibility and be famous enough to help others. But what im talking about is you will never help others with art unless you mix it with philosophy and other things. But when it comes to pure beauty and expression or art. It won't help. But again you create your own purpose. So if you think that it is your purpose and you don't have to help people as much then don't. The question: Do you think that I can help people with art without mixing it with philosophy and other things? Please change my views if I am wrong, if not then please explain why it is so important. Thank you! Btw I think that art is simply about beauty and expression(the most basic meaning) I also believe that we must enjoy life and see some beauty in it, it's just that I don't think great artists are automatically great people and art isnt as important as it is seen.
Nietzsche would have clapped for this video. He knew art ..is a layer of a need for man to focus on cultural health...."In spite of fear and pity, we are the happy living beings, not as individuals, but as one living being, with whose creative joy we are united"..
"art " is a very broad term, it doesn't just apply to paintings and sculptures, science falls under art, aspects of math falls under art, theres liberal arts (history, politics, philosophy), social sciences (psychology, anthropology etc) and theres fine art, music and dramatic arts which is more for aesthetics and interpretation and functional art like architecture, industrial and graphic design.
1. Art keeps us hopeful
2. Art makes us less lonely
3. Art rebalances us
4. Art helps us to appreciate stuff
5. Art ist propaganda for what really matters
Thank you Ego very cool
Reading these points do you agree with all of them. Using an example, the movie Requiem For A Dream is art, but it fails in the first 4 points
@Grace Hooks same, so thank you much appreciate
bless just saved me a crit
Art is beauty
Art is a universal language. And some people have a great vocabulary.
love this!
That would make a great shirt, van Gogh pointing at us with the words " remember the oranges".
I will get a shirt like this even if it's the last thing I'll ever do.
I though the same
i wanna buy dat shirt
So where do I buy it
Art isn't the presentation of a beautiful thing, bat rather a beautiful presentation of a thing.
+100500
I'm glad you didn't mind the "bat".
Shinu Nabil
I didn't notice that. :D
Anyway, let's think, that it's a сacography. :)
Thank u
It's both.
I am an art student and have been struggling in my head, questioning whether I made the right decision by saying that I want to make art for the rest of my life- Thank you for this video. It addresses some commonly held, but deeply seated questions.
I feel and plead that everyone should be making art for the rest of their life. To express art is as important of a trade and skill as communicating through writing or even speaking. To take away my pen and brush is to take away my voice. There is nothing more important short of air, food and water to my very being!
Spot on. Everyone needs art of some kind to live a healthy life, whether it's visual arts, architecture, crafts, music, dance, literature, etc, etc. Personally art/music is what keeps me going. I find so much inspiration in the talent of other people, particularly animators and game creators, there's something about being able to step into the dreams of another person.
Kaleb Sagehorn
Ah, so anyone who enjoys art of any kind is trying to be hip or edgy? All those cave painters, so narcissistic. How incredibly idiotic. It's completely unnessesary to provide any logic for why I enjoy art, I just do, it's as uncontrollable as a hiccup. Do you really not find enjoyment in a single movie, song, video game, or art of any kind? If you truly don't, I'm very sorry for you. As to why art is useful, it can have many purposes; the dispensation of new ways of thinking, particularly helps visualizing abstract ideas of complex science, new ideas- or the recording of history and culture. This is for the benefit of civilization, but art also benefits the individual emotionally and even physiologically. Perhaps you are incapable of benefiting from art in this way because of some mental irregularity, but that doesn't mean it doesn't benefit others.
+Kaleb Sagehorn
Plato had this exact argument. He said that if art mirrors reality then we're wasting our lives looking at art, when we should be living. It's an interesting point of view. I don't personally agree, but it's quite valid to point out.
Art doesn't just mirror reality, it helps us understand it and points of view that would otherwise be beyond our direct experiences.Rashmika The Writer
+CampingforCool41 That's also what I think. :)
Why do you feel so strongly about it Kaleb?
Art is the discovery of one's self. It's the use of imagination and creativity. Whats it good for? Unlike things civilizations stress like agriculture, medicine, and scientific breakthroughs, art is a form of human ingenuity. Like law, philosophy, knowledge, and order, Art is a stem of human possibility. We cant live as humans if we only practiced war and science. We need law and knowledge and ideas of justice. Art, whatever form whether poetry or whatever, is like a bridge that helps us connect these ideas. It falls under the ability for us to think. Something, we hardly do now with only test scores and evolutions in war.
Spoken like an artist. 👌
Wrong!!! Art is a way to say and feel the things we can't or shouldn't say in public. Art is a way to the truth!
I feel like art is a bit more ambiguous than that. While I really appreciate and agree with most of the points this video makes, I think that what really makes art art is its apparent uselessness. The true purpose of art has changed hugely throughout the years going from being merely decorative, made by artisans, to sharp and critical. In my opinion, art's true strength nowadays relies on its capacity as a means of communication, as a tool to bring forth a new train of thought, to sharpen societies' consciousness. It helps us wonder about the world and pushes us to reach our own conclusions.
Unfortunately, there will always be people who will try to exploit the market, who will poison art's true nature with pretentiousness and will turn it into something snotty and obnoxious.
Looking forward for the next vid, keep up the good work :)
My teacher ones said: The purpose of artist, in society is like the purpose of nerve in the human body. :)
“Art is a constant source of support and encouragement for our better selves.”Art brings our hearts into the light to shine as one love. Facts sis ❤
when you're an artist and cannot make art and you can't keep calm and have no hope
LOL
Then make art, on not being able to make art
I sure know what that's like :')
?
at least remember the oranges!
"Art returns glamour to its rightful place highlighting what is genuinely worth appreciating."
Mantulll
remember the oranges!
Or Manet's asparagus!
Rhystic Studies hey
what reference is this?
Aquí me hablas español
"Art is the human disposition of sensible and intelligible material to esthetic ends" - James Joyce in Portrait of an Artist
It makes me think about how, for example, art during the most war-like times in Japan was the most serene, favoring monochromatic brush paintings. But then in the Tokugawa era, where society became more peaceful yet more stifled and restricted by an overbearing government, art became more bold and experimental.
+Rachael Lefler you are mixing eras and misnomering them as well; not to mention the idiocy of your ideas; your feed of Japanese culture must be coming from comic books;
No, I'm really not, and it's coming from a Japanese History class I took and several art history books I've read. What the hell?
I also did a paper on a Japanese brush painting that I saw at the St. Louis art museum.
I had to do a lot of research for that because it was a semester-long project where we picked an object in the museum and did different papers discussing the same object (in this case the painting by Itsuun) in different theoretical frameworks.
It's can also be about questioning people's beliefs and making them think. It can be political, it can be angry, it can be ugly. It's not just about making us feel better, although that is a valid purpose.
My approach towards art is very critical: I can find art in daily things while most of what others consider as art doesn't resonate in me. Therefore, if art resonates in me, it can be a light at the end of a tunnel because of how emotional I can get and feel that I'm not alone.
@A. Belousov
I totally agree with the author, and specially with the points about art making us hopeful and less lonely. Personally, I appreciate music as a form of art, and Russian music is considered to be the most depressing one in the world. So, listening to it gives me a feeling of being a part of something bigger.
Really? Do you know the reason why it's depressing?
Art expresses a persons thoughts visually and there emotions in the artwork. Art can show us a persons happiness or saddens or it can also tell us a person’s story. Art should be made because without art our world really has no foundation, art is all around everyday we just chose to ignore that.
Great stuff!
Wisecrack Pablo Picasso put it best:
The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.
Wisecrack Quite Frankly I'd say the same exact thing so it probably makes the creators feel better about the work they are doing!
Two of my fav channel
yay!!
thank the school of life this helped me to understand why i like so much sad art work : i like it because i find it "truer" or more loyal toward the truth
To know what art is for read "Letters upon the Aesthetic Education of Man" by Friedrich von Schiller
+The School of Life Hoffnung, Schiller. Ein kleines Lämpchen, links oben. Sinnierend. Zählt Zeit? Dualismen für Kunst in schillernden Schönheiten. Meine Expression der Vollkommenheit in Harmonie: sechstöckige Bienenbauten und Laute. Marginale Posten auf reduziertet Gesamtheit. Eben Nicht! Wortgefetz in penetrierend, in balsamierend. Kratziges Etwas in Schweizerisch. Schweiz, das Deutschland der Welt.
Arn Gö?
ruclips.net/video/3nizLWCobOA/видео.html
Art helps us to appreciate stuffy because it connects us with the reality . The works of arts are a representation of the concrete word , so appreciating them makes us reflect and understand life . Ferreira Gullar , a Brazilian artist , stated that “ art exists because just life is not enough” .
I studied photography (degree), and although it is not a classic form of art, it is art nonetheless. I prefer art with a purpose, more of a purpose than you mention, something that I can visually see and embrace, such as the photo montages of Peter Kennard or works along the lines of Bansky, obvious propaganda, but with a strong purpose. The work I enjoy most is the work that highlights the problems in society and puts them on display for the world to see in plain view over the constant talk of celebrities etc. Maybe this is because of my photography background (seeing the world for what it is up front and personal), but because of this I don't really believe that art 'fills a gap' for me. More like it perpetuates what I already believe in and see.
Very interesting video though, it's always good to see other things in art that others normally wouldn't see, and it sparked ideas of what art means to me as a person, so thank you.
art is everything about you...
This movement - the School of Life - articulates an attitude I've been struggling to which I've struggled to give voice: Education is supposed to console, enlighten, embolden, ignite, and construct. All it did for me was "deconstruct." The confusion wasn't productive. I believe in the humanities, even in a world of technocrats, number crunches, pragmatists, politicians, and engineers. They certainly have their place and I am grateful that they exist. But we are human :) And therefore we need the humanities.
I realized the beauty of art when I started going into the gym, I made something so simple like barbells and dumbells into so much meaningful to me. I’m slowly getting into well known and lesser known painters and reading about their personal life’s and emotions that they felt when making genuine art.
Art is everything, done by a person who expressing her/himself emotions. That art can provide as aesthetic view in all things we have now. Because of creative minds of our artist can provide more meaning on why we are still live in this world. Without art our lives are so empty or what i mean is that boring.
I guess, it all can be united in a point about rebalancing. Art drives us to hope when we need some; it gives some external empathy to someone who seeks it (hence it makes us less lonely); artist also can call for someone's appreciation of certain things
I'd love to hear a take on a style/mood/genre of music; why people listen to it.. ie. Dubstep, Classical, Hardcore,
oooh yes....
Good thing art can change lives for the better...And so can music. They impact brain function and are extremely useful in various therapies...
"music can be beneficial in some caliber" -Kaleb Sagehorn
music is just a predictable pattern of sounds that your brain recognizes. the brain releases dopamine while it searches for these patterns and predicts their changes. over time, it becomes less of a task for the brain. this then makes you like the song less due to you playing it too much.
so what? you can simplify so many things to a simple scientific level to the point where they seem like they mean nothing. If people didn't place purpose and meaning in the little things in life that make them happy; the world would be a sadder place.
"I am arguing that music adds no value to the human race and should stop being held in such high esteem."
then why have humans from all over the world been making music for millennia? it's obviously important or we wouldn't still be making it. Scientists are great, but artists and musicians are great too. What would science be without art and art without science? you can't separate them bud
I've been questioning the value of my work a lot lately. People around me tell me it's important I do what I do, like it's important for them, but I do not fully comprehend why. I needed this, thanks School of Life.
Also love this 4:52 😂
In a decaying society, art, if it is truthful, must also reflect decay. And unless it wants to break faith with its social function, art must show the world as changeable. And help to change it.
Ernst Fischer
Changes your mindset if just for a while.
I think that a lot of the negative we see in others is just their stress and worries.
Does not reflect them as people.
So i try to be kinder and not see people as "Them and us".
Art keeps me calm, and help me to think rationally.
Great video.
I think part of the difficulty of answering that question is that some of the most compelling art expresses things we can not. It can be something that you can not express due to fear of judgement like the video pointed out and it can sometimes be the only way to accurately convey something you can not figure out how to express through words. It can be rather jarring when you experience artwork that does both.
I loved this film: both ideas and execution. Thank you. A simple springboard for thinking about the place for non-pragmatism and the enduring satisfaction of all art forms. Lovely stuff.
“Art disturbs the comforted and comfort the disturbed”
The use of art to balance us is an interesting idea. I remember when I visited India and had some very intense experiences where I started to feel like the world was just chaos and there was nothing to hang onto, I finally understood how someone could appreciate Zen art and Zen living spaces. Before those experiences the thought of living in such a bare and controlled environment seemed boring and sterile to me, but now I can understand it in my own personal way. At least in that head space it seemed like a lovely prospect it be surrounded by simplicity.
I have some interesting questions:
Does art evolve similar to the way philosophy and science does?
What is culture for? or why is it important?
For me art is the human expression of sensitivity, whether that sensitivity is that of beauty or pain.
I'm sure it would be time-consuming but what a treat it would be to know the names of the artists for the many beautiful works in this short film; especially for segment 2: Art makes us less lonely.
In summary, art is the rawest display of humanity. It is feelings, human vision, life, sensations, and everything else. An empath's dream!
PUT THE ARTISTS UP WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE TIMESTAMPS DAMN YOU!
A few references for further reading might be nice, too. I was really taken by the last point, but searching Google Scholar for "is art propaganda for what really matters?" will be unproductive.
1) Art keeps us hopeful ~ 0:38
2) Art makes us less lonely ~ 1:28
3) Art rebalances us ~ 2:27
4) Art helps us to appreciate stuff ~ 3:40
5) Art is propaganda for what really matters ~ 4:28
"Life imitates art far more than art imitates life." I've never understood this quote. I always agreed that art imitates life, not the other way around. Can someone explain?
On nowadays society, art reintegrates some essential things that we frequently forget because of the mentality imposed... like appreciating the oranges...
But, on the other hand, not always art applies to that quote; art can be a way to criticize and expose some of what went wrong in the world... like sebastião salgado's early pictures depicting the capitalist world in its hardest facet...
Art has many facets and purposes... like life, after all...
I have a problem with this quote in general. If conceptually life and art are in duality and theyre constantly imitating each other, than we might as well rid the concept of imitation and argue what is the source, what is the originator, life or art? What came first? Then the issue is defining "life" and "art". Well... both involve creation. Is life art? I think thats a much more fruitful debate :)
Fo Qu imagine a marble stone, naturally carved to look like a statue of Plato. Would that still be art? or rather said, would you put meaning upon it, and make it art?
Would the stone still be art, if no one ever knew of it?
So all in all, does art really need a creators?
Art as the process of creating things is what makes us human. Nothing created by human can exist without someone imaginating it first. In a way, the wheel was invented by an artist, the pottery that allow us to cook... most of the important inventions in our society were first invented by artists. Great artists of all times were also inventors. :) Art is way more ancient than science and it´s the human soul, as it is the creation of things that have not a clear purpose that differenciates us from the other animals.
ruclips.net/video/3nizLWCobOA/видео.html
Great video Alain de Botton ! In case you were wondering, I've also heard many praises for "Art as Therapy" at the Art Gallery of Ontario - where I work as a docent. Many visitors have personally expressed how different, relatable and mind-opening it is.
Art is a response to the conversation of life. Good art gives, it presents an hypothesis that its intended audience can understand and inspires them to reflect on and respond in their own way.
Art is an *explosion!*
Can you put up the artists?
That kind of makes sense. I live a peaceful life surrounded by technology in the countryside where everything is getting renewed, or rather "too new". I myself admire works of art which depict war, weapons, post-apocalypse and ruins, which I find fond. Also sometimes when I am surrounded by aged technology I admire science fiction
Art is life, art is the nature, the universe, every thing on earth comes as a result of art, if a business man is an artist because if creates his business plan from his mind, because art is as a result of emotions and feelings, art is spiritual, art is everything.. My journey as an artist opened my eyes to what art is,its element, how to and all that..
I don't think I can ever thank School of Life enough for these videos. This is art!
Content is not art. Cringe
What is art for? It is the medium in which we communicate directly to our consciousness in the timeless language of understanding.
What this video seems to answer is how can artistic images help us feel good. Pretty can help heal the Pain. It seems to purposely avoid mentioning how paintings like The Slave Ship can portray powerful political messages. Or how art like cave paintings or the pyramids themselves timelessly convey messages to us today (though we get a fundamentally different message from them).
Pretty is great but what about all the art which surrounds us and is misleading us purposefully. I'm speaking of the regular bombardment of advertisements and propaganda that we see regularly.
Our ability to quickly perceive images and understand their meaning is fundamental to consciousness and a large part of what made us human. Today our innate ability to comprehend imagery is being used against us to make us buy things or agree with ideals. Most people don't see this as art or think it has no effect on them. Trust me if it had no effect on you companies wouldn't bother so much. The truth is when you factor in advertisements, commercials and logos the vast majority of the art we see is more persuasive more than pretty. Thus
What is art for today? Brand recognition
damn..thank u
This might be a bit much to ask, but could anyone name all the works of art that appear in the video? I'm really curious about them all and would like to learn more.
amandajiamin
Abstract painting by Gustave Moreau
The Seine at Argenteuil by Auguste Renoir
Roses de Nice on a Table by Henri Fantin-Latour
Two figures by Renoir
a landscape by Monet
Sunset in Venice by Monet
The Japanese Bridge by Monet
Seine at Rouen by Monet
The Grand Canal by Monet
Angel by Carl Soren Dahl (sculpture)
The Abbey in the Oakwood by Caspar David Friedrich
Early Snow by Caspar David Friedrich
Some kneeling figure by Egon Schiele
Another figure by Schiele
a women by Edgar Degas
Interior by Degas
landscape by Claude Lorrain
some kind of a romantic scene in a garden by Jean Honore Fragonard
drawing of two figures by Pierre Paul Prudhon
Madonna by Correggio
Andromache Mourning Hector by Jacques Louis David
The Oath of the Horatii by David
Hylas and the Nymphs by John William Waterhouse
The Lady of Shalott by Waterhouse
Water lilies by Monet
Grass by Albrecht Durer
Clouds by John Constable
Oranges by Vincent van Gogh
Fountain by Marcel Duchamp
Cutouts from (self-)portraits of Monet, Degas, Paul Klee and van Gogh
The Little Street by Vermeer
In the Mountains by Albert Bierstadt
Two colorful paintings by Greyson Perry
Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
The birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
Abstraction by Gustave Moreau once again
Glacier Point Trail by Albert Bierstadt
ukaskrabo Thank you so much!!!
ukaskrabo '
ukaskrabo This man knows his art.
+ukaskrabo True hero of the internet!
What a creative way for philosophy to get among people and inside their minds. Thank you School Of Life and Alain de Botton!
Remember The Oranges. -Vincent Van Gogh, 1890
I find lots of art makes me feel the same when I am trying to express a problem or feeling to someone and they articulate it in a better way than I could have. It reflects something inside us and helps to understand things that we feel better. Its an appreciation that someone else somewhere has felt like this art, and if you feel like the art as well, then you are not alone in that feeling. It gives us connection with other people, which is something that is incredibly important. That's my thoughts anyway.
It refines our creativity. It allows us to establish a greater sense of self. It reinforces and becomes culture. It reinforces us spiritually. It is weightlifting for the mind. It engages the practice of humans using their vision. It allows for economic gain.
I think art also helps us express ourselves. Sometimes it's hard to do that, and art can help us with that.
i dont really agree with the statement that we are attracted to art that shows more of what we need
Why is that?
solomon grundy Not to be disagreeable, but they might be on to something with that idea. Think about it patiently.
I have noticed that the music of traditional societies (where life is mean and dangerous) tends to sound very happy. Whereas "modern music" in our comfortable, insured, and mechanized society, frequently sounds dissonant, mean, angry and harsh.
The aim of art is not to represent the outward appearance of things but rather their inward significance - Aristotle.
The art is more deeply. It's not only for beauty. This is for contemplation. Thinking. Feeling. And it may be ugly and scary in some sense, but interesting and valuable at the same time.
Art should be truth:
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty,-that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know."
A fair assessment and while it's probably covered in some of the five points I think art can often create a new mode of language to connect us and interact. Our interactions with artwork have evolved thanks to modern art which allows art particularly to transcend class. The aspect of involvement is quintessentially 21st century and incredible.
Yes, hope. Whenever I start a painting I always hope it'll turn out right. People tell me it looks okay but I'm rarely convinced.
Maybe SoL could do a short film on perfectionism, the curse of the creative?
I think you forgot the most important reason - Art may just be THE Reason.
We all have to go to work for living. Doing one thing or another that in some way or another helps keep Civilisation chugging along. What's it all for? Money? For whome. You? The company? I posit that all this work that we do - in addition to keeping this great machine running - also allows the the freedom - the luxury - to also do things we love. Like Art.
Such a great point that art gets too much reverence and mystique.
The glorious Philadelphia Museum of Art does a great job breaking down barriers with their "art after 5" program and wednesday night activities (like yoga in the galleries). I wish we had more of that here in Scotland.
Other uses of art are: economically art is purchased by the wealthier in society and so can quite often allow money to flow back down to the lower earning areas of society (though exceptions are pretty plentiful); also society tends to naturally go towards stability while art contests the assumptions within this stability allowing it to change for society to continually adaptively evolve rather than stagnate.
Wow! I've been binge watching your videos and cannot get enough. Thanks for all!
What's the piano piece when it talked about the somberness of art?
I've now seen numerous videos by this channel. I have this weird alienation when viewing these. It's hard to describe, but I'd dare say that the makers of these videos are deeply entrenched in a certain collage ideology that seems to trigger all kinds of almost physical reactions with me. Now, to be abundantly clear: I respect the research and diligence that obviously go into creating these videos. But there's a distinct underlying positivism that seems to be all too willing to appropriate cultural phenomena like a revisionist Robin Hood and distribute them between 'us'. Because the 'we' in these videos is a very interesting one. There is an underlying emancipatory sentiment that keeps flooding out. I'd like to pose the question: What are these videos for? Because they are clearly not neutral. This is an essay. But the arguments are given commonsensical, to oppose them would be cynical. Why could anyone take issues with this optimism? -is a reaction I've already been given when trying to address these issues.
There are all kinds of problems I see, though, for any of the examples given, I could give examples to the contrary. But that is admittingly not a very fruitful line of enquiry. The biggest issue I have is the way we end up neutralising art by the end of the video. We now 'understand' it. We know art's function. We now own it. We may stop revering it, we may now be comfortable with it. We can even -if we carry on with this line of thinking- judge art on account of its usefulness in these five categories. We successfully circumvented the sacrifice for instance (Van Gogh, Bataille) that is often, even unmetaphorically, given for these oranges to be remembered. We've handily done away with the problem of beauty, which is condensed to your first raison d'existance but might easily encompass all the others as well. And more importantly, we ignore the ambivalence between society and artist, between mass culture and the individual. While I do respect your efforts to bring some kind of agency to people new to the subject of art at a reasonable level. I honestly feel that there is a sense of dread lacking. To revere is also to acknowledge someone's or something's uncontrollable power. And in the case of art, this is not a wholly bad thing.
"Art is propaganda for what really matters". I love that so much
can anyone tell me what the name of the song in 1:54 - 2:04 ?
The quality of these videos has definitely gone up over time.
My brother suggested me your page and I ABSOLUTELY FELL IN LOVE WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING! Great Videos! Thank you
I can safely say, this channel chanced my life.. It changed that way I look at life and everything in it, can you?
I love his channel so much I'm gonna cry !
Reina Aqua I'm with you 😭
Art is for understanding the truth. The one and only truth that incloses the whole universe. Art is understanding the life and beyond.
art adds meaning to our lives. helps us make meaning of things
Engineers and Architects do a great job. Though when it comes to the aesthetics and art-style of a product, we do need a lot of Designers.
What do yo say about Contemporary art? The approach you have here is easy, and is actually pretty romantic outlook. But, trying to explain post-war art (that you didn't include but for two paintings), that's a real challenge.
Clearly it is an interaction between the creator and the person nothing the creation. I know it is Art, before you see it, but, it is finished by the person viewing it. Several times I have given away artwork, just because someone has found it amazing. Since we are all one, I would imagine the art was made for them a collaboration of energies beyond our current understanding. I know when I create Art, it is for someone,.
Art exists to delight and instruct and elevate the soul.
in terms of art it is wonderfully impossible to clarify anything universal, but i think that this video lacks a little reflection on how one of the most beautifucl things in about art is that it is useless in that it is far away from anything deemed practical or of a productive nature. it is to be regarded,experienced,thats it.
(although i did really enjoy it because of how subliminally enthusiastic it was)
Time 1:57. If anybody knows what the name of that piece is please let me know I love it.
For those of you who need to write the reasons down for an assignment, here you go:
1) Art keeps us hopeful
2) Art makes us feel less lonely
3) Art rebalances us
4) Art helps us appreciate stuff
5) Art is propaganda for what really matters
Do you personally agree with all these points? I don't. I'd say something like Requiem for a Dream (which fails the first 4 points) is art
This 5 min video made me learn and understand art more then school ever did (sorry english is not my first language)
The Oath of the Horatii was one favorite noticed just as much by both me and my Dad who went to the Louvre separately. Same lazy sort of carelessness in both of us that makes us wish we had more honor and discipline?
"remember the oranges" that was great! :D
ART , in fact, is a quite vast term. You refer to visual art while the insights you dropped on us, in my opinion, speaks for all forms of art such as MUSIC, POETRY, SPORTS, ORIGAMI, etc.
:Just thought it was wotrh mentioning
also theatre .. I hate when people refer only to painting .. The term is so complex and vast .. I kinda don't enjoy paintings ,but I do enjoy music ,literature and drama specially
So...is art a way to show us what the world is _actually_ like in all of its hidden aspects (especially during times when we tend to forget), or is it a way to compensate for the shortcomings of the world, creating a parallel and better reality?
Is it Realism or is it Escapism?
Is the world beautiful and perfect and balanced but we just can't see it, or is it just absurd and arbitrary--a fact we don't want to face?
When I'm drawing something realistic, I often have the urge to tweak it, to stylize it, to _fix_ it. Every time I decide to give in or not, I have to wonder which would be the more faithful representation, because I know people don't always see things the way they are. Artists have to decide whether they should overcompensate in order to show the true essence (usually beauty, but not necessarily) and move away from realism, or if they should incorporate the imperfections and ugliness and hope that bringing attention to these things reveals the true meaning to the audience, whatever that may be.
I've been watching your channel and really like your videos. This video is one-sided, it is only the viewpoint of the viewer, and does not consider the point of art for the creator.
Hey guys Im a kid and i need advice
I like art and I know that everything's related to art. I just don't see it as an important thing. I am not a troll and I am open. I just want you to clear this up because Im thinking about making music and all that.
I think that the difference between a fast food restaurant and a Michelin star restaurant is the experience and the food in a Michelin star restaurant is very artistic and beautiful.
But at the end of the day, what matters is what you eat and how healthy it is.
Art isnt really needed but i appreciate it. I think that art is almost like a drug that you don't really need but seek.
You can use art to increase your credibility and be famous enough to help others. But what im talking about is you will never help others with art unless you mix it with philosophy and other things. But when it comes to pure beauty and expression or art. It won't help.
But again you create your own purpose. So if you think that it is your purpose and you don't have to help people as much then don't.
The question:
Do you think that I can help people with art without mixing it with philosophy and other things? Please change my views if I am wrong, if not then please explain why it is so important. Thank you!
Btw I think that art is simply about beauty and expression(the most basic meaning)
I also believe that we must enjoy life and see some beauty in it, it's just that I don't think great artists are automatically great people and art isnt as important as it is seen.
아진짜뭐라는건지아오
Within 5 minutes i became an art lover.
Looks good and promising. Art is a way for anyone to express their emotions. Art could be anything, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Hands down this is the best youtube channel. Thanks for all the awesome videos!
Art is the medicine for society
Nietzsche would have clapped for this video. He knew art ..is a layer of a need for man to focus on cultural health...."In spite of fear and pity, we are the happy living beings, not as individuals, but as one living being, with whose creative joy we are united"..
Engineers and Architects do a great job. Though when it comes to the anesthetics and likeness of a product, we do need a lot of Designers.
"REMEMBER THE ORANGES!" Hahahahahahahahaha! Love you,man
"art " is a very broad term, it doesn't just apply to paintings and sculptures, science falls under art, aspects of math falls under art, theres liberal arts (history, politics, philosophy), social sciences (psychology, anthropology etc) and theres fine art, music and dramatic arts which is more for aesthetics and interpretation and functional art like architecture, industrial and graphic design.