Art Should not Challenge our Perception of the World?

Art should not challenge our perception of the world.
Describe a specific situation in which art challenges our perception of the world. Discuss what you think determines whether or not art should challenge our perception of the world.
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The creation of art is an exclusively human function that serves many purposes. It may be created in order to experience one's self in relation to the universe, express one's imagination, communicate a message, among other functions. The potential of art is limitless and may provide practical uses, such as challenging our perceptions of the world. On the other hand, art may exist for no real reason at all--perhaps for the purpose of just "being art" To define what art should and should not do would be limiting the potential that art has to offer to human beings.

Art is a general umbrella of practices containing several disciplines--it includes dance, poetry, drama, etc. It could also be expressed in disciplines not usually perceived as being "artistic," including teaching, lawyering, and nursing. Art is not necessarily "beautiful" per se and could even be found in simple tasks, such as washing dishes and sweeping the floor. In essence, the expression of art is limitless and is up to the human to experience life in an artistic fashion or mundane manner. Granted, some art may have tangible impacts on human beings and the world while other art really has no lasting implications. Indeed, the ability of art to challenge our perceptions of the world, in a sense, makes art richer and meaningful in our experience as human beings.

When art challenges one's perception of the world, he or she experiences life in a different way. For example, a painting depicting nature could cause one to focus more attention on the beauty of the natural world around them. A play sending a message about acceptance of one's neighbors may cause an audience member to think twice about judging people around him before knowing their story. Art could also have the affect of inspiring beauty in our daily lives and spreading that light with those we contact. Of course, not all types of art have this ability to impact others. Arguably, the more art can influence senses/emotions and perhaps change in perceptions of the world, the more valuable it is.

Those who claim that art should not challenge our perceptions of the world are, perhaps, fearful of changes in the status quo. Creation of art, for example, may be threatening in authoritarian nations which do not tolerate any type of dissent or calls for change. In China, a prominent human rights activist and Noble Prize winner is currently imprisoned for his writings that supposedly threaten the stronghold of the Communist party. Those opposed to art as vehicles of change especially fear their loss of power and ability to control other people.


Despite the richness and beauty that art can bring to our world, it is often perceived as a frivolous undertakings and not deserving of attention that other "hard" disciplines, such as science and mathematics, have. As a result, nations, such as the United States, do not fully support art initiatives and take measures to de-fund art and public education programs during hard economic times. Indeed, encouraging the creation of art in young generations is key to developing well-rounded citizens with an appreciation for creative undertakings and the potential of art to develop humans in different levels.