I was once Googling get-to-know-you questions, and came across this one: What is your favorite type of art? Why? I had to think about that one for awhile. I am a rather artsy individual. I like all types of art, and have respect even for the bits of art I do not like. But as I reflect on the art that means the most to me, I have come to the realization that my answer to the above question should be this: Any kind of art that teaches you something worth knowing, and encourages you to think. Be it writing, painting, or music, art should help you learn something about yourself, God, or the world around you.
It seems to me that this quality is missing from many modern art forms. Art seems to have been relegated to the much less worthy cause of giving people a temporary pleasure, instead of challenging us to think. Many of the newer forms are appealing, but have a frothy and shallow feel. They leave me dissatisfied, wishing there were more.
I can not help feeling that this is a direct result of the way our society is heading. Morals are 'old fashioned', virtues are unceremoniously discarded, and deep thought is lost in the hurly-burly of everyday insanity. People do not want to be challenged or confronted. They are, perhaps, afraid of finding out the emptiness of their bustling lifestyles. Afraid to discover that the poor, pale, spiritless things presented to them as 'art' are not really worthy of the name. But what would happen if they were shown real meaning, real depth? Would they recognize it? Would they turn away, disquieted? Or would they welcome and embrace its solid genuineness? I suppose there is only one way of finding out...
