THE IMPORTANCE OF ART

Throughout history, artists have proven to influence the shape of human lives in many ways. Their footprint is deeply set in culture, but also politics, economics, and other “less subjective” topics. Artists inspire us to achieve, conquer, accept, or concede; their work helps us understand our past, and some would even say, foresee the future.

Getting children interested in Art and its main characters is desirable. You want children to be creative, to experiment, or at least to know about Art. Some artists can be easily linked with kids, either because their artwork is inspired by them, intended for young audiences, or at the very least, because they raised kids. Others are hard to reconcile with the concept of something as tender, innocent, and happy as childhood.

Unfortunately, in our money-inclined society, the importance of teaching Art in schools has lost considerable weight throughout the last decades. Back in the day, it was primordial for a child to learn, understand, or like artistic expressions; nowadays, it is considered an expendable education aspect. We are now focused on turning children into practical, efficient, and effective corporate individuals –capital generators. We want little kids to perform… just not in front of a stage. We are eager for them to calculate, but not to create; we want them to read, but not to analyze. We desire that our children advance, yet in the way, we´ve forgotten to let them feel.

Motivating young children to learn about Art, goes beyond pragmatic reasons. As we often forget, all artists were children once. Not only that but in many cases, it was precisely their own childhoods that shaped the very core of their emotions. If one pays attention, in today’s era galleries, one can almost see that little girl, or boy, playing, laughing, observing, crying, and learning. Who says our own children won´t become the next sensation? Perhaps with a little bit of motivation helping that little child grow into an artist may be exactly what the world needs today?

Yet, even if our kids don´t become gifted artists, the benefit will materialize and persist within that child. As parents, we must teach the newest generations to appreciate colors, to acknowledge and display their emotions, to have empathy for others, all through the magic of Art

In the forthcoming articles, Hera and Hermes has decided to focus on a few great artists that have influenced adults and children alike. The articles explore the artist themselves as well as how each artist relates to those of us, both young and old, on an individual basis. Just as artists are complex individuals, so too is the relationship between artists and those that admire their work.