Richard Powers Iconoclasm

The ideas, beliefs and values we hold so strong to ourselves dictate the way we see art, literature and the world. The way we see history and

George Orwell famously declared »all art is propaganda.« Great works of art, in other words, have a very particular message for an intended audience. This function of art transcends historical periods, as is evident if one takes a closer look at the art of specific eras, such as Ancient Egyptian art. Ancient Egyptian art possessed a very specific propaganda function: to promote the divine origins and authority of the Pharaoh and thus a hierarchical social system.

At the council, 338 members met to rule on the use of images to depict religious figures and ideas. This assembly, including Emperor Constantine and Leo, rules that “the unlawful art of painting living creatures blasphemed the fundamental doctrine of our salvation—namely, the Incarnation of Christ, and contradicted the six holy synods” (Iconoclastic Council, 1). The Iconoclastic Council bans the use of images and pictures to depict religious ideologies and figures because they feared that worshippers honored the image over the actual person, place, or thing represented. To support their argument, the council recalls the Holy Book in which God states, “Thou shall not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath…They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man,…and served the creature more than the Creator” (2). Unlike John, this council uses stronger textual evidence from the Holy Book in order to validate their argument against icons. Furthermore, they argued that “folly” painter constructed the icons to undermine the icons. Council members aimed to demonstrate the icons as evil creations because religious affiliates did not construct them. Nevertheless, the council banned all images, relics, and other representations of

Religion and art have gone hand in hand for thousands of years. Almost every religious organization makes use of it. It idealizes, glorifies, protests, and tells the messages of religion. During some time periods of out history are existed for the sake of faiths. Artists of our time are generally free to create and make statements on anything they want. People, nature, colors, or ambitions might be just as intriguing to an artist as the visual aspect of a crucifixion. Religion controlled art—it authorized it and used it as propaganda. Religion was presented in drawings, paintings, sculptures, buildings, everything.

In contemplation of the special dignity of being created in the image of God and despite the challenges presented by mankind’s fallen nature, it is still necessary to adhere to the basic principles that apply to visual representations like paintings and sculpture, which as stated in the Sporre text are repetition, balance, unity and focal areas. (Sporre, Dennis J. Reality through the Arts. pgs. 57-58.). As stated in the Barry Wilson video, we have five reasons why we as believers should engage in art that should always be represented especially in light of the challenges of the fallen nature of mankind. In the Greek and Hellenistic periods the sculptures represented all of their gods in human form. While today these sculpture could be viewed today

Art has always been used to voice emotions or stories in a way that can easily be understood. Conquering nations used art to immortalize their leaders, warriors and conquests. Similarly, conquered nations used art to keep their cultures alive. This pattern of dueling voices, those in power versus the oppressed, is shown throughout American art. From slavery and the Civil War to World War II to the modern day, art has been there to stand up to oppressors and keep faith alive for the oppressed. No era better shows a revolution against oppression and cruelty through art than the Harlem Renaissance of the early 1920s.

Art does not exist in a vacuum; an artists’ work is influenced by the culture they were brought up in; this is true of the artists of the Renaissance who painted their Christian icons, and it is still true for the artists of today. We are inspired by the customs and traditions that surround us, and the society that has helped build the foundations of our character. Culture influences art, and art can be found in most aspects of a culture; from their paintings and writings; to their music and clothing. It is important to recognize this influence, and to give proper credit to the members of a culture that pioneer a form of art, but often times these people never get the recognition they deserve. Imitators come along and present their art, their culture, as their own. Most would agree that it is only right and fair for an artist to receive credit for their work, but in spite of this, this issue, known as cultural appropriation, continues to plague society.

We are also shown how these different forms of art change over time and how different cultures have adopted them and used them as their own form of art to express emotion, love, creativity, and passion. This book teaches us how art is viewed in different ways by the church and was very informative for me to obtain a better and deeper understanding of art and how the churches valued it.

Piece displayed at museums, sold on streets, etc. are art. Society controls what is art. Offensive, destructive, or vandalized pieces are often not referred to as art. Art is often associated with an object that was created by a person. Pieces can be displayed in many places to convey a message. Pieces displayed in museums are seen as good, famous, and valuable. These pieces are displayed because they often do not create conflict between people.

This style favored subjective perception and rebelled against life-like depictions. In a similar way, because unregenerate hearts cannot fully recognize the handiwork of God in art and in the natural world, unbelievers can only appreciate art at a subjective, superficial level, even if they understand the historical and cultural context of a given work of art. Believers, however, can see the deeper meaning behind even the artist’s message because they recognize that all artwork reflects the creativity of the original

When you go to an art show do you understand the symbolic interpretation of the pieces? Don’t feel bad, most people don’t. What’s so upsetting about that is that you really miss out on the experience. When I think about interpretation of art I think of Andy Warhol. Andy Warhol’s use of iconography changed not only the art world but the people who came into contact with his art. Once you understand his life and art, you will understand his art as a symbolic representation.

Sontag says that throughout history, things focused on in art and history tend to be the "product of wrath, divine or human." There is much art showing the

The history of art dates back to ancient times. Artwork can be, and was, found around the world. What makes art interesting is that it can be created in any way, shape or form with any materials. It seems that the artwork can also tell us a lot about the artist. Art seems to be simply, a direct, visual reflection of the artist’s life. Therefore, one can assume that an artist’s life experiences and beliefs directly influence their art. If we look at examples from different periods of art we will be able to see the connection between the artist and the art.

Throughout the vast history of art, historians can find connections throughout the centuries. Artists from the beginning of humankind have been inspired by the world around them. From the Apollo 11 stones to present day, history and culture have provided inspiration and have been the focus of various pieces. Examining artwork from the 15th-18th century, viewers can be shown a whole world that would be unknown to us without these artist’s contributions. History, religion, and cultural events have sculpted the art world, and we can observe this through many pieces during the 15th-18th centuries.

For over two thousand years, various philosophers have questioned the influence of art in our society. They have used abstract reasoning, human emotions, and logic to go beyond this world in the search for answers about arts' existence. For philosophers, art was not viewed for its own beauty, but rather for the question of how art and artists can help make our society more stable for the next generation. Plato, a Greek philosopher who lived during 420-348 B.C. in Athens, and Aristotle, Plato’s student who argued against his beliefs, have no exceptions to the steps they had to take in order to understand the purpose of art and artists. Though these two philosophers made marvelous discoveries about the existence of art, artists, and