The Artist as Visionary

In a previous post, I brought up the concept of art being visionary. What can we do as people? What should we do? What should we not do? When should we say "just because we can doesn't mean we should?" I know that is from Jurassic Park but it is applicable. Art should show the terrible or beautiful scene of what would happen if we continue along a certain political, scientific, sociological, or belief path. Art can encourage and discourage and the what ifs are important to see and hear.

The artist should play the part of a PROPHET or SEER. The artist should be a futurist. We can see where people can be, we can speak hope into lives, we can see where things are now and the potential of the good that can become. We, the artists, can portray that good. If people don't have a vision of what they are trying to reach, then they die. They either give up and become complacent or they make an island full of dinosaurs that will only end badly.

Tell the story, paint the picture, design the image, build a sculpture, and collage. The thing is that we need to do it. Once again, the artist doesn't live in a vacuum but in the community of human beings on this blue marble of a planet rocketing through space.

Check out the Nasa Art contest and see a practical exhibition of what I mean. Or check out online pics of the Sistine Chapel.

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