Category:Art and Power
From Eurêka
Art and Power
Art and power Control of taste is about power, because it allows th power elite to control entry into their social and political preserve. Control of power enables the elite to subsicize their spheres of art. Thus the flow of funds to museums and galleries allows them to control access to the knowledge these venues. The provison of free access or charge entrance fees is an example. Generally, a liberal philosophy encourages public use, conservative philosophy discourages public use.
Language of art Knowing the lagnuage of current fashion in art is a power tool, as the elite can easily shift the focus, thus identifying whose in and whose out.
Note The power elite never use important language for authority, such as science, because it would make them vulnerable to forces beyond their wit or control.
Art and patronage Using art as a visible symbol of power, used by royalty, Italian nobility, the Vatican, Dutch burgers, etc.
Opera subsidized Generally, opera, the entertainment of the upper classes is subsidized by the state, whilst music hall and its ilk has to rely on market forces.
Propaganda power Use of art to influence the minds of the masses, used by the Roman Catholic Church for at least 1,500 years.
- Religious monopoly Up to 16th century
- Secular takeover Power of art began to be taken over by lower orders in the 16th century, accelerating in the 19th cenury, until completely being transformed to the mundane by commercial processes in the 20th century.
- Ruffian takeover Artists as virtual ragabonds in society, that keeps them poor and struggling, allowing an evolutiuonary process to weed them out, 19th century.
- Control by death Wait until the ruffian artist is dead before sanctifying his/her art, making it so valuable that its power now comes from ownership, 20th century.
Consumption art Convert art into an industry with its brands, and globalize them through traveling exhibits, making them into art form not unlike the Cirque du Soleil. Increasingly, focus on the retail element, forming museum in-house chain stores (occasionaly, put musem shops in malls - usually not successful). Furthermore, have good in-house restuarants, late 20th century.
