Government and the Arts

 During the Great Depression, writers played a significant role in recording the comprehensive account of life histories. Note that during the Great Depression, U.S experienced a high rate of unemployment and in addressing the difficulties, President Roosevelt established a New Deal work-relief programs to support the people who lost their jobs. Programs include the Federal Art Projects that employed experienced artists such as graphic artists, sculptors, muralists and others who created visual arts. It is worth saying that the Federal Art Projects was good government investment in that today, there are many paintings, murals, fine prints, sculptures and objects of craft which are found in modern municipal buildings, hospitals and other areas in the American states (Davis, 2009). Second, it was a good investment in that there are many community art centers and galleries. Another program of the Works Progress Administration is the Federal Writers' Projects.  The latter served a significant role in employing writers, lawyers, teachers and other white-collar workers who recorded oral histories and wrote many books. The Federal Writers Project was a good investment since the project produced Cultural Revolution by producing guidebooks that contained topics like Native American culture, ethnic elements and more.  Another program is Federal Theater Project that funded the artistic performance.  The program was a good investment in that today; there are theatres in different regional centers such as Chicago and New York. Currently, the U.S government support the arts through; direct public funding and the most public agency is the National Endowment for the arts that provides annual funding for the development and preservation of visual arts, museum, literature and more.   Second, the government supports the art through federal departments which supports the art directly or indirectly.  Federal department agencies include; Arts Endowment's sister agency and.  The Institute of Museum and Library Services. Third, art is supported through private giving where non-for-profit groups and individuals donate money to cultural organizations (Davis, 2009). 

 I agree with the perception of Abstract Expressionism as exemplifying individualism and freedom. This is because, in the 20th century, the Abstract Expressionism involved self-expression and subjective emotions. The artists were against the impressionism, and they expressed their resentment through spontaneous expression (Anfam, 2016). The Expressionists demanded individuality and freedom and they expressed their demand through myth and archetypal symbols.

 

 In comparing between the models in Zbrush by Michael Mozolewski to musical compositions by John Cage, it worth saying that both focus on self-expression in that in his compositions, John Cage resists the art process and he shows unshakable determination toward individuality.  Also, Cage was not interested in being engaged with a bunch of, but he focused on freedom and individuality (Hermes, 2000). Similarly, the Abstract Expressionist visual art by Mozolewski portrays personalities and emotions with jarring subjects to show individuality and need for freedom (Anfam, 2016). However, both artists differ in that John Cage does not deal with feelings or emotions but he is interested in changing his ways of seeing.  Cage believed that art connected people and argued that art reinforces the ego and he focuses on anti-art antics that is based on individual creativity (Auster, 2014). Conversely, Mozolewski deals with feelings and sad situations.  These elements represented the self-expression and demand for freedom and individuality (Anfam, 2016).

On the assertion ‘my kid could paint that,' the abstract expressionist artist could respond that a child couldn't paint that. This is because, the abstract expressionist artist are professionals and at first glance, they would notice a difference regarding quality and the goal of the painter.  Note that emotions and intentions matters and since the traditional and modern abstract art are painted at different times, the abstract expressionist artist will notice the difference by looking at the artistic intentions and the state of mind (Mccrary, 2011). Similarly, I would also disagree with the assertion since by looking at the signs, planning, skill, the value of the art, the body language and sense of intentionality, I would notice the professional and nonprofessional.

 

 

 

Reference

Mccrary L. (2011). My Kid Could Draw That.  The American Conservative

 

Hermes Will. (2000). The Story Of ‘4’ 33’’’. NPR Music

 

Auster, P. (2014). The music of chance. London: Faber & Faber

 

Anfam, D. (2016). Abstract expressionism. London: Royal Academy of Arts.

 

Davis, A. P. (2009). New Deal art in North Carolina: The murals, sculptures, reliefs, paintings, oils and

frescoes and their creators. Jefferson, N.C: McFarland & Co.