What is the relationship between art and politics?

[AaronWBoyd]

How exactly are they intertwined?
What is art?
What is politics?

[MarkRBonnell]

The relationship between art and politics is a subtle and complex one. The process of creation is an act of engagement, in some form or other, with the world around the artist. It need not be a direct statement on an immediate political event for it to have resonances far beyond its immediate intention. Nor is it necessarily the case that responses to immediate and specific moments need only be relevant to those events.

The response of the true artist to the world around him or her will work to a different dynamic than that of political life. There will be a connection, but the artists' striving to understand the inner complexities of life, and express them through images, will make them more aware of subtle changes in the rhythm of that life. It will not necessarily make them more articulate in expressing that awareness politically, nor need it. The task of the true artist is to strive for an artistic truth, and express it with all the resources at his or her disposal. Such a striving for expression will in itself impel art to new developments, and express painful truths about society.

There is, however, a common failing among many “political” artists, who allow themselves to be seduced by their own radicalism. It is not uncommon to see such works falling between two stools: they are political statements, yet because they are works of art their political message is thought to be exempt from rigorous examination. Similarly, because they are political statements, their artistic merits are deemed somehow more flexible. Politically and artistically, concessions are made. The results are often substandard in every way.

[ValuableFriend]

Art is a manipulation of dream and politics a dream!

[CharlotteBMartinez]

ARTISTS - and by that I mean all creative people, not just image-makers - are not only the architects of tomorrow's reality, but a barometer by which we can guage the spiritual & mental health of a society. They are the unseen helmsmen that steer us toward new realities.

In a totalitarian society, artists that serve this function are suppressed, and subjugated to the will of the state. This action alone is adequate proof of the importance of art, for if it had no importance, no influence, why would the powers-that-be exert so much effort to control it? Art is communication, but not just any communication: it is communication in its purest, highest form. That is why a totalitarian government will attempt to harness it to their own purposes.

In a capitalist society, artists that know how to use the system will fluorish and prosper; although, unfortunately, many artists find that their orientation is more geared to making art than promoting it properly and adhering to sound business practices. Thus, in a profit-oriented society, artists are often disillusioned by lack of material success, and often have to work at other jobs in order to make ends meet. This can sometimes generate negative feelings toward such a society, as the artist's role in determining the future of society is not adequately appreciated. So artists in a free society sometimes tend to lean to the left politically, seeking support from society as a whole rather than from individual patrons.

If you see a circular pattern forming here, artists in a suppressive society yearning to be free and free artists yearning for support, I believe you are right; but as the true expression of self relies ultimately upon freedom, the ideal scene would encompass educating artists in the "art" of managing their affairs and activities so that they are better able to profit from their own efforts. A really intelligent society, though, would provide tax benefits, perhaps even total exemption, to those creative souls among us who serve to make this world a better place to live.

[ViolaMWebb]

Every politician is an artist. (its not easy to fool a nation without art
Every artist is not a politician