Essay on Iconoclasm

Published: 2021-08-11
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Iconoclasm refers to the social belief in the importance of the destruction of religious icons and other images most frequently for religious or political reasons. It may be carried out by people of a different religion, but is often the result of sectarian disputes between factions of the same religion. Within Christianity, iconoclasm has been motivated by those who adopt a literal interpretation of the Ten Commandments, which forbid the making and worshipping of "graven images or any likeness of anything". The fathers identified Jews, fundamental iconoclasts, with heresy and saw deviations from orthodox Christianity and opposition to the veneration of images as heresies that were essentially "Jewish in spirit".

Iconoclasm has been possible and easily implemented in the past and partially in the present because of political, religious beliefs and theological influences. In the past, some scholars accepted the destruction of the icons on the fact that they represented idols which were against the first commandment represented in Exodus 20:3 which stated, "You shall have no other god before me", hence, destroying them is a form of correction to the religious belief. In South Wales in the city of New Port, Chartist Mural a mosaic art designed by Kenneth Budd in the year 1978 was destroyed to give way to the 100 million Euro shopping centre which happens to be a decision made by the council interested in the commercial development rather than the heritage of the paintings.

Social changes refer to considerable, lasting change in the way a society behaves and the norms and values to which the society adheres. The changes envisioned by art include women the suffrage movement, the industrial revolution, the abolition of slavery, the civil rights movement, the breakdown of communities, youth alienation, and justice.

Social changes are realized through visual arts, theatre, music and poetry. Theatres are collaborative forms of fine arts using live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music, and dance. Art elements such as stagecraft and painted scenery are used to enhance the physicality, presence and immediacy of the experience.

Poetry is a dorm of literature that uses aesthetic and rhythmic qualities to evoke meaning in addition to, or in place of prosaic ostensible meaning. It uses forms and conventions to suggest differential interpretation to word, or to evoke emotive responses. The use of ambiguity, symbolism, irony and other stylistic elements of poetic diction often leaves a poem open to multiple interpretations.

Music is a form of art whose medium is sound organized in time. The creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of music vary according to culture and social context. Music is an important part of people's way of life, as it plays a key role in religious rituals, the rite of passage ceremonies, social activities and cultural activities ranging from amateur karaoke or singing in a community choir.

Visual art is a form of art which includes, ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, photography, video, filmmaking, and architecture. Participation in the visual arts enhances social cohesion within communities, promotes health, and well-being. The function of art it is embedded in daily life, family connection, the traditional law as well as in dreaming lore and spirituality. It represents a multi-layered connection to the past, present and future. The social role of creating visual art and craft is also primary to the social benefit and meaning of art and craft activity in the community context

Arts promote true prosperity. The arts are fundamental to our humanity. They ennoble and inspire usfostering creativity, goodness, and beauty. The arts help us express our values, build bridges between cultures, and bring us together regardless of ethnicity, religion, or age. When times are tough, art is a salve for the ache.

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