weaknesses of the idea that art is valuable because it expresses truths

Intro: there are many different levels of truths, varying in profundity.
Most art, but not all, contains at least one of them.
Weakness 1: propaganda
Art can be used to persuade us to adopt particular viewpoints
Eg Michelangelo’s David was used by the Medicis to make them appear strong and powerful.
Weakness 2: Oscar Wilde
He believed that art should not be about truth, but about artifice.
Art is more important than truth.
Artists shouldn’t see or depict the world as it really is.

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The first weakness is art can be used to persuade us to adapt a particular view point which would vary from person to person, therefore making the piece of art’s value differ. An illustration is Michelangelo’s David as when Michelangelo chose to create the sculpture he decided to represent David contemplating the battle of Goliath yet to come. However the sculpture came to symbolise the defence from more powerful rival states and the hegemony of the Medici in the Florentine Republic. This portrays that although the renaissance sculpture was originally meant to represent David, in truth it informs us on the defence of civil liberties embodied in the Florence Republic. It is this propaganda created by the Medici family which proves that the value of art is not determined by informing us.

A second problem is through seeking truths in art it eradicates art qua art. It gives art a job and makes it instrumental by means of teaching us anything about truth, when art doesn’t have to. After looking at ‘The Ambassadors’ by Holbein people can describe it as valuable because of the levels of truth it contains, ranging in profundity. It contains representative truth through the painting portraying what a 16th century Cleric and Merchant looked like; their type of clothing and fabric for example. It contains universal truth which tells us something transcendent or metaphysical which increases in profundity through trying to set up a dichotomy or contrast between trade and religion. In addition, increasing in profundity, it includes epiphanic truth which accesses the divine truth of the painting. This truth is present in the anamorphic skull at the bottom. However through giving a piece of art a job of containing truths we demine art.

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Name: Much art is not representational
Explain: Some art just doesnt represent anything
Illustrate: Lots of art doesnt appear to convey truth a good example of this is Matisses 'the snai' as it does not appear to have any truth in it as it is just an assortment of brightly coloured shapes. This painting has form which gives it value but it has no truth, this shows that truth is not where the value of art lies but it is in fact form.
Link:If some art does not have truth in it then how can the value of art lie in its ability to express truths, as this would make lots of art valueless. So the value of art must lie somewhere else for example in form or emotions

Name: Propaganda
Explain: The truth in art can often be propaganda trying to convince you of something
Illustrate: A good example of this is Michelangelo's David, he was commisioned to build it by the Medici Family, who were the ruling family of florence at the time. When it was completed it was placed on top of the town hall and the truth it came to represent was that the Medici family were very powerful and people should not mess with them.
Link: This truth does not show art has value because it expresses truth, as it is simply trying to convince people to obey the ruling family and to fear them. This also shows art does not have value because it expresses truth, as the truth in art can cause it to have a purpose and the value of art lies in its ability to be art for arts sake.

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A weakness of the idea that art is valuable because it expresses truth is the fact that art can very easily be manipulated to produce the desired effect. This is demonstrated by propaganda, an example of which is Michelangelo’s ‘David’. This piece of art was intended to show Florentine prowess and wealth and to manipulate people’s emotions. This is backed up by Plato’s opinion that art was all smoke and mirrors and by believing it you were “feeding in unhealthy pastures”. Plato’s opinion shows how art can be used to manipulate and deceive. This is a weakness in the truth argument.

Another weakness in the truth argument is that art can become embroiled in its meaning and uses. Many believe that art doesn’t have a purpose and its only function is to be art. This idea is demonstrated by the Latin saying “art qua art” which translates as “art for art’s sake”, this is shown by much modern art, a lot of which is not intended to represent much. Oscar Wilde says that “no artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did he would cease to be an artist” This statement shows how Wilde thought that artists work shouldn’t be interpreted as presenting truth. This is a problem with art and truth.

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The first weakness of the idea that art is valuable because it expresses truths is that a lot of art is not representative of anything. If we look at modern art, it appears very abstract and so doesn’t directly show us the truth about anything. For example, “The snail” by Matisse doesn’t look like a real snail and so we can argue that it doesn’t tell us anything about the real world and so it could also be argued that the artwork is not valuable. This is a weakness of the idea that art is valuable because it expresses truths.

The second weakness of the idea that art is valuable because it expresses truths is that we are giving art a job. Art is supposed to be art and nothing else. It does not need to tell us anything and be informational, it just needs to be art and we should appreciate it for being art and nothing more. By giving art a job, we are undermining its real value. If we were to go to an art gallery, we shouldn’t go to learn something from art; we should go to appreciate the art as it is. If we wanted to learn something, then we would go to a library. This is a weakness of the idea that art is valuable because it expresses truths.

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N – A problem with art expressing truth is that it is not necessary; art doesn’t need to show truths it could just be appreciated for its beauty.
E – Art can just be ‘art for art’s sake’, art doesn’t need a job. It doesn’t have a specific role and if it happens to then that wasn’t intentional but you shouldn’t recognise it for this. Oscar Wilde, a scholar of beauty said that art was artifice meaning that it’s not about the real world; it’s artificial and better for it.
I – Art doesn’t have to represent anything. For example where is the truth in Matisse’s – The Snail. It doesn’t physically resemble a snail but it’s still a work of art and beauty.
L – Therefore art doesn’t need to express truth because it shouldn’t be given a role. It doesn’t serve a purpose, especially not telling truths.

N – Having truth in art is bad because it could corrupt the young if we don’t censor art there will be a feeling of unhealthy pasture.
E – Art could portray and represent evil things such as ugliness, meanness, bad character and ill discipline, Plato argued. So the truth in art should be censored because if it wasn’t then people will gain grave psychological damage. Art needs to only be about natural, healthy beauty.
I – For example a painting of a rose or a forest would be acceptable as it is not corrupt art but natural, real art.
L – Truth in art is bad because it could show representation of evil therefore corrupting the young, innocent eyes that look upon it. If they did they would be wrongly influenced and it would affect their education.