In Celebration of History — Art History, That Is

Why do people create art?

One of the reasons is to record moment in time. Think of artists as time keepers. Art is a window into history and vision into the future. Artists throughout history have interpreted historical moments through prints, painting, drawing, sculpture and photography.

Art allows us to see through the eyes of the artist or photographer, or see a place we’ve never been. It can be educational, a recording of history or simply capture the feeling of a moment in time. 

Some artworks provide social commentary and bring about empathy in the viewers. Often it is a powerful vehicle for communication, a way to express visions that are beyond the capacity of words and a medium for cultural enlightenment. 

Recent examples of this would be 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Gulf Oil Spill, and the recent Japan Earthquake. Think about the photography and art created during those times. They were pretty powerful, weren’t they? 

Art history is just as important. When looking at art history, we’re learning much more than the artist and his/her technique. We’re learning about their culture, their tradition and their era. 

The art created today will be viewed with interest by viewers 30 to 50 years from now. What will they think of us as people, our time, our culture and our traditions?