Art and the Human Civilisation
Artists’ role during the time of crisis is profound and multifacted. Art plays a crucial role in imparting human values, showcasing solidarity and ensuring peace-making during difficult times of wars and conflicts. Our civilisation has gone through many man-made and natural crises like wars, social upheavals, pandemics, floods, etc that drew it back for hundred-thousand years. People struggled, survivied and ultimately began their journey again for the hopes of new days and revival. In such a journey artists have continued to contribute as vital agents of healing, truth, transformation and revival. The existance of arts in different forms like cave painting, statues, architectural elements, folklore, music and oral narratives since the ancient time proves that human civilisation has deep rooted connection to art. Since the advent of civilisation, artists have proven records of inspiring the world and enriching the aesthetic sensibilities of people.
Artists’ Role During the Time of Crisis
Artists have profound roles during the time of crisis. In 1971, when Bangladesh was in war with Pakistan losing 3 millions lives as per official record, popular pop singer George Harrison and Indian Classical Sitar player Ravi Shankar staged two concerts at New York’s Madison Square Garden to collect fund and share solidarity for the people in crisis. During the COVID 19 pandemic, when the whole world was down with stress, anxiety and trauma, musicians like Yo-Yo Ma came forward with virtual performances to bring solace into people’s lives. Picasso’s Guernica (1937) showcases to the world the horror of the Spanish Civil War and the worst version of humanity’s plight. Lynsey Adario, an American photojournalists has captured humanity’s plights during the wars and conflicts in different war prone areas into her lens. Her photographic representation of many conflict prone zones in Africa and Middle East brings the instances of how humanity suffers due to the lusts of policy makers and war mongers.
Many Indian artists, such as Abanindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Nandalal Bose, Raja Ravi Varma, and Rabindranath Tagore, played crucial roles during India’s freedom struggle. They promoted the spirit of nationalism, patriotism, and shared humanity through their paintings, novels and poetry. Sri Aurobindo was an Indian visionary, poet, yogi, nationalist and journalist who contributed to India’s freedom struggle by inspiring the revolutionaries through his teachings, art and spiritual philosophy.
Art and Humanity
Artists play multiple roles of historians, policymakers, and healers when humanity suffers from any crisis. Ernest Hemingway, an American Nobel Laureate author, is famous for his portrayal of the suffering of humanity in several wars, like World War I, World War II, the Spanish Civil War, etc. He had practical experience with the war as he volunteered to serve as an ambulance driver for the American Red Cross Society during World War I. He portrayed his experience as an ambulance driver during the war in his semi-autobiographical novel A Farewell to Arms (1929).
Contemporary humanitarian movements across the world, like Black Lives Matter, Me Too, etc show engagement of artists of various level. Artists not only inspire people through their arts, but they also directly contribute to people’s well-being and uplifting. Popular pop artist Shakira runs an NGO named Pies Descalzos Foundation that promotes early childhood education and development in the underdeveloped and underdeveloped countries, especially in Latin America. She also works as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and continues philanthropic works for the sake of humanity across the world.
Artists for a Better World
Creative individuals and poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world (P.B. Shelley). Artists possess the power to transform the world into a better and more livable place by sharing their thoughts on humanity, peace, brotherhood and solidarity. Artists have continued showing a ray of hope during the times of conflict, crisis and depression. When humanity suffers and survives for existence, artists work as an impasse to show them the right track to heal, survive and sustain.
Image Courtesy: Meta AI
