Art for art’s sake

Name: Aysu Sultanli

Many believe art needs no justification, it is just for aestheticism.

In my opinion, art, it’s value, the message behind it - is all subjective. All people have altering points of view. On the other hand, I think art , most of the time, should stand for something. Art is a way of communicating ideas, and is so much more than just for the purposes. One that lives a purposeful, fulfilled life values art and surrounds themselves with it.

But where did the idea of art for arts sake emerge from?

It was Paris, 1833, when the poet and novelist Theophile Gautier published his essay about art in which he establishes his opinion on what art should stand for. Contradicting many perspectives, he states that art must be free from the influence of religion, governments, and should simply be for the sake of art. Good art is made for the sake of art, he believed. This is where the phrase “ art for arts sake ” came from. The phrase initially being in French “l’art pour l’art”, and then being translated into “ art for arts sake” is still a very known quote nowadays.

However, this essay didn’t only inspire a new way of viewing art, but also opened doors for the painters of the new era. The generation of romantic artists used this idea to create art that wasn’t influenced by religion, beliefs or leaders. Moreover, Gautier, tired of all the propaganda used with the vehicle of art, believed art should not mean anything and should in fact, serve nothing at all. Opposing many ideas, Gautier states that art shouldn’t try to initiate any message, change or speak about anything. He believed the purpose of art wasn’t in what it stood for, but what it appealed as. Art shouldn’t be used to sell people things, he stated - art should interpret life in an abstract vision.

It was in New York 1917 that Marcel Duchamp decided to go against the cultural and societal expectations and standards of art by participating in an independent artist exhibition displaying only a toilet seat. Marcel believed that art should stand for something, and send a message, rather than simply just existing. He believed a true artist is one who is able to separate their art piece’s ideas from being confused with religious ideas or propaganda. He believed art pieces must be outstanding and not mainstream.

This is the infamous toilet seat exhibited by Marcel Duchamp.

In my opinion, art is a way of communication and self expression for many. Creating art is when you can truly express yourself without any boundaries or limitations holding you back. It shouldn’t be about advertising mainstream ideas, or promoting political parties rather than expressing your ideas, and your soul.

What do you think, should art be created for self expression, or for other purposes?

Citation: HISTORY OF IDEAS - Art, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7ECzduUWx0