How important is the power to shock? Does art still possess that power?

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Sat, 2012-06-02 15:33

The power to shock; to break taboos, used to be
a weapon of cultural rebellion but these days you can say practically anything; any four letter word or talk about almost any sexual act and no one bats an eyelid.

Is it still possible to shock? Are there any taboos left to break? Is it possible to make art that is powerful without shocking people?

Sat, 2012-06-02 16:24

shep5377

There will always be some taboos to break. I think it is still possible to make art (and by art I am assuming you means all the arts) very powerful, whether that be emotional or nostalgia. Can it shock anymore? I'm not too sure about that.

Sat, 2012-06-02 17:17

(Reply to #2) #3

well-wisher

Shep5377. To some people it doesn't matter much, I know but I really want a sense of direction in my writing. I want to know what I should be writing in the 21st century. I keep rehashing the past because I don't really understand the age I'm living in or how to write anything new. I feel like I'm stuck in a rut, creatively. Essentially, I would like to push atleast one boundary but I don't know what todays boundaries are.

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Sat, 2012-06-02 16:56

well-wisher

I agree, Stan but isn't it sad that artists are only making headlines these days because of how much money there art costs or because they've won some meaningless prize. When will we see artists making headlines because they're doing something genuinely daring or inventive. I find contemporary culture deeply dull and I long to be invigorated by art the way that I used to be as a young person.

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Sat, 2012-06-02 19:01

well-wisher

Stan. I've already been down the route of writing what I enjoy writing but this is a new century. When I look back at the 19th and 20th centuries I am constantly amazed by the 'pioneer spirit' that existed in every field of human endeavour but I don't see that same spirit in the age that I'm living in, except within Science and Technology and commerce but what about the arts or Philosophy? Perhaps I just can't see the artistic pioneers of this decade or maybe they just haven't become famous yet. If you could point some out to me then it would be greatly appreciated. BTW, Thinking about Damien Hirst, his diamond covered skulls and pickled cows; isn't he surely saying to everyone, "Look I'm flogging a dead horse. I'm selling something dead and getting paid a fortune for it". I think its just going over the head of everyone who claims to 'understand' his art. He's taking the piss and he knows it.

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Sat, 2012-06-02 21:03

well-wisher

Tony Hancock (in The Rebel) - "You're all ravin' mad"

Oh look, a link. I wonder where it leads.

JoHn

Sat, 2012-06-02 21:51

Parson Thru

Actually. What the F*** is art? I saw Chekov's The Cherry Orchard last month. Seemed alright to me. Anything that aims to be overtly commercial gets what it deserves ('pop' music classics being used by corporations in tacky adverts for trashy goods are a fine example). Hirst / Emin? Well. Why should art shock? It can, but it needn't. Nothing shocks like a taser. Art shows us something of ourselves. A mirror that makes us think, question, perhaps even realise that we were actually born and run around this planet with a spirit - sentient beings, not 9 - 5 robots. Now. Q. What injury do poets suffer from? A. Tennyson Elbow.

Parson Thru

Sat, 2012-06-02 23:20

Parson Thru

"Man the Perpetrator" - that's it! I've made my million! Taxi! Tate Modern, please. Keep the change. Women can be Tasered too.

Parson Thru

Sat, 2012-06-02 23:33

guggy

Most of the big artists have underlings doing their work (even the Renaissance painters and sculptors had them)so, Art is an industry. What would you describe as taboo? Pornography is now mainstream. Children are sexual objects in the eyes of corporations. Art is dead... long live the artist.

Sat, 2012-06-02 23:48

#10

Parson Thru

Sound of bubbles being blown in water...

Parson Thru

Sun, 2012-06-03 01:39

#11

guggy

That's very arty.

Sun, 2012-06-03 18:41

#12

Kahdai

I think is because when some art is shocking the artist have created what is from truely in them minds and feelings and if they know other people will see it try to make it understandable to most other peoples minds or same emotions and theres not much can be shocking now exept most horrible things most artists would not bear to create and most people can not understand or empathise with, at first some of my old art was shocking is not anymore although to the right or wrong person could stay make thay mind jolt. It depends on the mental state of the mind it comes out of and the mind it goes into and how closely you look or read into the detail. Same as writing some is obvious and realistic, other is vague and twisted imagination and sortof hiding the truth tho to some who knows from in themselves would understand what is about and weather it is good or bad or happy or sad. I now do not want to shock people while still showing some honesty and truth about myself. I like that bin sale story Stan modern art eh.