FALL IS upon us. The leaves are turning and crunch as students walk briskly between classes, hands in pockets, hat on head. Somewhere, as you walk along puffing white clouds with each breath, somebody has a fire burning, you recognize the smell, but just can't quite figure where it's coming from. In another couple weeks, as we near Thanksgiving and when the leaves are no longer changing, Charlottesville will embrace autumn completely.
The artists, about Grounds capturing these images, should not have to worry that their drawings will inspire cries of anger. Controversial art is good for our minds, provided of course, that the artist's intentions are virtuous.
I've seen these students, sitting on the steps of the Rotunda or lying under a tree near the Bayly Art Museum. Through your eyes you capture what the seasons are here in Charlottesville; the colors and shapes as you have chosen to view them. No one should ever tell you your art is wrong. It's your art. But they can - and they should - tell you when it's offensive. It's the artist's responsibility to clarify the intent of potentially controversial pieces of art.
Art is as personal to the artist as this column is to the writer. It is an opportunity for an individual to say what he thinks, to inspire equal minds, and to publish his personal opinion. Some art, like most columns, can encourage change by pointing out absurdities in new and creative ways. But when creative ways become degrading ways, then art no longer serves to inspire minds, it only angers them. Angered minds will miss the artist's intention.
Recently, at the University of Texas, an artistic piece entitled "Black Threat Barbie" was quickly pulled from display. It depicted an African American barbie doll holding a gun in one hand and a syringe in the other. The piece was part of a "Have You Seen Me?" exhibit.
Apparently the artist had created something warranting removal. He intended to display the absurdity of a degrading stereotype by exaggerating and stressing some commonly perceived traits. This was not a wrong thing to do. But, when controversial images are presented, somewhere in the display of the piece there should have been an explanation of the intended message.
When an artistic piece is removed because of objectionable content, the real purpose of the art gets lost in the confusion and anger. The University of Texas pulled the doll in reaction to complaints from viewers who believed it was racially offensive. The artist has said his original intention was not to anger anyone. He wanted to make the viewer think. When looking at controversial art or opinion, it is vital to realize what the artist intended, and not to simply view the physical display before you.
Art is supposed to enrich our lives. It makes us smile by capturing the pictures we've imagined in the back of our minds, or by creating a physical representation of some sense we've experienced - like the smell of a fire burning. Some artists have painted colorful scenes that depicted life or a story. Modern art has opened a new door into the artistic world, taking the focus away from the physical beauty of a piece. Modern art is meant to inspire thought.
Simple art can make a person smile, but true art conveys a message. It forces the viewer to think about some larger issue by granting the person the ability to see it through the eyes of the creator. The poems created by slaves working on plantations during the 18th century vividly show life under oppression, a moving tale that the dry facts of a history book could never convey. The blues and grays that blend together on a depressed artist's canvas compel the viewer to feel that same sense of loss and despair. Good art injects emotion into life.
Good art only becomes offensive if the artist's intentions themselves become offensive. There is no place for degrading and stereotypical writings or pictures. Art that is itself hurtful has no right being published.
On the flip side, an artist has the right, and one could argue the responsibility, to create things that are not always pleasant. It's how we grow. It's how we experience new things.
In Texas, good intentions still produced a controversial piece. That's okay. Controversial topics will always inspire debate and disagreement. But before inspiring debate, these pieces will inspire thought.
If our culture eliminates controversy in art and discourse, life will be as dry as those history books. It is important in everyday life that we not only recognize each other's views, but that we encourage these views to be published.
Most importantly, artists must let us know what their intentions are so that we're not left accusing.
(Luke Ryan is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)
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