written by art historian & curator — Mihaela Manolache
Choose any film made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and pay attention to its motion logo. While the lion roars, around his head a motto is scrolling: Ars Gratia Artis. We’ve seen it thousands of times by now but I wonder how many of us really tried to understand the meaning of the phrase. In the 19th century, the French and English aristocracy promoted a bohemian slogan that was intended to separate art from any of its social, moral, or political functions. ”L’art pour l’art” or art for art’s sake is nothing more but the pure joy of the eye, ear, and soul without confounding it with other emotions from the political or religious sphere.
Artistic creations are some of the oldest manifestations of humankind in terms of cultural and societal development. We can trace them to Prehistoric times. Researchers state that this means of expression appeared as a natural need to express beliefs, to represent the environment, and to capture processions, rituals, and religious scenes. In the past art has been indisputably connected to a functional purpose. Small sculptures served in the religious rituals, and architectural masterpieces served as tombs for pharaohs and kings. For thousands of years religion and leading authorities merged hand in hand and art was an indissoluble part of their power display.
