
The Dual Nature of Art: Aestheticism and Activism
Throughout centuries, art has perpetually swung between two extremes: on one side, art for art's sake, an expression of pure beauty and aesthetics, and on the other, art as a tool for communication, protest, and social or political change. This dilemma is more than just a matter of artistic preferences; it reflects deep currents in human history and our understanding of art's role in society.Consider, for instance, the aestheticism of the 19th century, a period marked by a fervent pursuit of beauty for its own sake. Figures like Oscar Wilde became spokespeople for this movement, proclaiming art as a sublime…