Is western art in decline?

Question

To clarify thr points made by answerers: I'm speaking here specifically about visual art, and visual art produced in Europ, or states whose culture is plainly occidental in origin (i.e. USA, Australia etc).

Answer 1

if modern art is still going on yes

Answer 2

"Is the Theater really dead."* This is a big question. Here is a slew of bigger ones, in someways harder to address, because they deal in narrower fields but still sweeping topics. What is western art? Westerners ( who ever they are), seem to be making lots of art. Is it good? Is it original? Is it skillful? Is spiritually uplifting? Or, is it stupid? Ugly without purpose? What is art anyway?(doesn't that question turn up too often).

You might as well ask if Eastern art is in decline. I think you can get closer to an answer. "Oriental" the other half of the Globe that is not occidental, is in decline. Its principal features being Chinese and Muslim sorts of expression. The Chinese are for the most part too engaged in making their artistic heritage a product to engage in originality and forward thinking. The Muslim world is, on the whole it seems, too busy making war on itself and everyone else, to engage in an examination of its extensive artistic past and to see it as a bridge to future artistic expressions. For artistic expression to have a chance it needs a little breathing space to generate grace. In the Islamic world now that can and does bring about Fatwa. The prudent artist works quietly, in secret.

So, think on this and ask more questions.

Answer 3

Art like literature and music doesn't get better and better. It improves for awhile and then it diminishes. It goes through positive and negative periods. On the other hand any science is a body of knowledge. It usually gets better and better. Think about communications, transportation and medicine. Some of the greatest periods in western art have been the Gothic, the Renaissance, the Impressionists, etc. Right now I think we are in a lesser period. But art like literature and music goes in cycles.

Answer 4

In my view, Western Art is not in decline but certainly in a confused state with no one style or movement that is apparent. I think this reflects the U.S. society which presently can be described as "anything goes." Where folks 50 years ago dressed well for concerts, church and dining out, they now can be seen in anything from workout clothes and jeans to everyday casual, business casual, and high fashion...all in one setting. Our attitudes about art similarly allow for just about anything: found objects, photo-realism, graffiti, neo expressionism, cartoons... Like our need to make heros, eventually we will decide on a bent or style and go ga-ga over it despite its true merits, flaws and weaknesses.

Answer 5

It' depends on the genre I think. If you look at the amount of impressionistic stuff going on I'd say no. Personally I think it's junk but that's just my opinion. Nor do I think the "safer" subjects are being ignored, (Landscapes and stuff for the living room.)

I do believe that the amount of artists willing to take chances and don't care who gets offended are in decline. Thanks to everything being politically correct and the general nature of things in this country right now a lot of people won't make waves or they don't know how. That's what used to make western art great, people willing to go out on that edge throw their middle finger in the air and say "Screw you. I'll do what I like!" and they weren't afraid of what people thought. The days of if you don't like it don't look at it are long gone I'm afraid and that's sad. People would rather do what's safe than be out on the edge.

Because of this I'd say what could be considered "Lowbrow" is dying a slow and painful death. I haven't been on the site for a while but the last time I went on the Juxtapoz site I was really depressed. Everything was gallery ready and just waiting to be accepted. To me that's not art. (It is art but not what you'd call risky or daring.) And that's what (to me anyway) western art wasn't about. To me it was about doing what you truly felt inside and not worrying about if it would sell or who liked it. It was about going outside the box and setting it on fire. It was about finding your own style and your own little niche. Now it's all about following trends. "I saw this in a gallery and I could do it better." That's sad.

Don't get me wrong, everyone want's a break or a gallery shot. But it used to be less important, Just doing the work and getting it out of you was the important thing. How many questions on this site are brought up about getting their stuff seen or when you go look at someone's stuff it's lackluster at best, but people go out and pimp it anyway thinking it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I'm not saying my stuff is always killer or it's the greatest thing out there, I never have. But I've had my own little following and it happened by someone seeing one thing and them telling someone else. I didn't do stuff for mass cosumption, I did what I wanted and continue to do that very thing. From what I've read on here and seen on other sites not many people are willing to be that way.

From that perspective, yes it is in decline. Art is and always will be a part of us but too many of us play it safe.

Answer 6

I think that there are several levels..too many to generalise or make sweeping statements about...l feel that people are bombarded by images..and not many people have the time to stop and really contemplate.though there are changes..eg for music, would be the new web sites..my space ect..but for painting...no good outlet...

Answer 7

I believe so! A certain conditioning dis-allows artist's from being who they are and what they really want to portray.

Answer 8

occidental Australia!my ****.

Answer 9

hopefully yes