Artworks

"Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it."
-- Berthold Brecht

There you have it folks. I must say I agree with the above quote. Art truly does have the potential to impact culture as it works on and forms the thoughts and characteristics of a time. You study an art piece and you can automatically tell a number of things about the time in which it was made. With art's significance in mind, I feel that I have established that the art culture is hurting somewhat in College Station. This seems to be the case nationwide as a result of an economy that is not stellar for any industry much less art. The less people can afford on inessential purchases like art, the more demand it puts on artists to find work outside of their craft. Less money equals less art and less art equals less culture!

I was reading on a blog from Badatsports.com that reminded me of this aspect of the issue and directed me to read a newly established paper called Art Works. Being written by artists, the paper has a unique approach on economics and labor as each topic relates to art and its role in the nation's culture. I recommend reading at least one or two of the articles on the Art Works site. One of the best ones I found is entitled, "Why Artists Need More than Creativity To Survive." It touches on how society can devalue artists and in turn not invest in their creativity. The image at the top of this post that I found on Art Works visually presents the effects of consumerism in the art world and the cycle of cause and effects.

In a more local scope, the Battallion published an article a few days ago about Rock the Republic coming to Brian on the 21st-23rd. Excitingly there will be art on display in addition to all the bands coming for the event.