Art X Culture

We artist often complain about the community we live in of not being interested enough in art. And I agreed that in some communities that IS true. The taste for Art has to be incorporated in the very fabric of our culture, and usually it is not. So I ask you: When was the last time you bought an art piece for a friend’s birthday? How about an anniversary, Christmas or any event? Probably never. I know… you usually justify that by thinking: “art is too personal”, you don’t know the taste of that friend, “art is too expensive” or any another excuse. And you know why? Because “art” is not part of our culture.

Here in the midwest usually we buy art when we move to a new house, an apartment or redecorating a room… and that’s it.

Sad isn’t it? We as an artist value our own art and the art of our fellow artist. That’s what we say, but is not what we do.

In Europe any little student apartment has a piece of art. I’m going to tell you a story that happen to me while I was a student in Oxford (UK). Marcus was a very loving, funny and extremely intelligent student of philosophy like us, but also very poor. He depended on his scholarship. Sadly after the 20th of each month his money usually ran out. Fortunately our college provided 1 free meal a day for students under a government scholarship. The other 2 meals, it's on your own. We as Marcus’ friends, very often invited him for dinner after the 20th of the month, because we knew of his situation. That was routine for us all. Until one day Marcus fell in love with a painting. It was a copy of an original painting exhibit at the Ashmolean Museum that we largely admired. I remember, we would go to the museum, after class, and sit in front of that painting in silence…just looking…admiring. Well he found a copy of that painting made by a local professional artist. The name of the painting was “Hunt in the Forest” from the 15th century, by Paolo Uccello.

Hunt in the forest - by Paolo Uccello

So he come to us with a plan: he will eat dinner with us Mondays and Fridays, and with other friends spread through the week. And in case of an eventual expenses (like if his bike needs repair, etc..), we would divided between us all. He wouldn’t allowed any of us to buy for him that painting. He wanted to do it himself. So we all agreed with his plan. The artist, knowing what was going on, make a big discount for him. It took 3 1/2 months to save enough for his painting but he did it. He bought the painting. Somehow we ALL felt very proud of Marcus. He sacrificed for months, not even going out to the pup on Friday nights. His favorite activities after classes…

When he left Oxford he carried a small bag with his favorite books and in his other hand that big painting. He did that because he valued art above his personal comfort. And that only can happen if ART is part of you, of your culture.

The good thing is that “Social Culture” can be change by the practices of each of us. When enough of us change, social culture changes for us and the next generation...and so on. So next birthday…buy an art piece for your friend.

Please leave your comments below!