The Emotional Burden of Artmaking

Abstract

This paper discusses the patterns and differences between formal and emotional art in order to create a visualization for the burden on artists. After thoroughly reading through Moholy-Nagy’s Contribution of the Arts to Social Reconstruction (Source 17), I have broken down its themes and core conclusions. The modern world has become tunnel-visioned in art: the definition of it, the creation of it, and most importantly the view of it. As Moholy-Nagy states, those who become specialists in art created a society where that talent and specialization is required in every aspect of said art. Where people no longer use their potential abilities to read the world of its imagination and wonders to express themselves and instead developed a society where only “artist-specialists” can provide for those said expressions. A burden is put on artists more specifically, one which only the artists can carry. Art is not a specific skill or an ability only the most distinguished can practice, but as what Moholy-Nagy states, is a “community matter.”. Thus, in order to create a visualization of this burden, I created two artworks that display the patterns and differences between formal and emotional art. The differences and especially patterns that are prevalent in emotional art will be the burden.