A Very Thin Line.

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Art plays a role in everything. It was very important as a tool of the National Socialists (NAZIs) in Germany, too. So for good or ill, art will always be a tool in politics, in social movements -- (political or non-political), and in every realm of human experience.

So no, art does not keep the thread from breaking. Art merely reflects the culture and people who make the art. If they break the thread, it is will still be broken, and that brokenness is merely reflected in the art.

On the other hand, art may be the thread that binds some individuals more strongly to their sustaining values. So it is a force for preservation, but can also be a force for destruction.

It didn't help the victims of Nazi Germany. Brilliant and talented people were slaughtered in those millions. Forget about the countless visual artists, musicians, actors, academicians, etc who perished....think about the loss of their productive years in their disciplines.

The real thin line is going to be keeping this thread open and not breaking any rules.

In the case of NAZI Germany, art played a significant role.

Marlene that is sadly true but quite a bit of art that was produced in the camps was smuggled from person to person at the risk of death. Also true it was used as an effective propaganda tool by the Nazis as well. More harm than help?

No, art cuts a very wide swath. Equally loved and used by saints and barbarians alike.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

We are in the age where a push of a button can reverse civilization, is art more useful or harmful in keeping the button from being pushed? My thought would have been more useful except for Gregory pointed out the use of art as propaganda, now I am not so sure!

Much more was lost than saved....our holiest art and artifacts were destroyed....the only reason Hitler warehoused any of it was so that he could prove our people had truly existed after he had destroyed us all. I'm gonna respectfully ask you to use a different example in your OP.

The reason for the example was it is an obvious case where the thread snapped. There are many such as the KKK and their despicable activities, in respect to you Marlene if you wish I will close the thread.

"is art more useful or harmful in keeping the button from being pushed?"

It can go either way, depending on who's wielding the brush, so to speak. It is a sword in this context. Good guys and bad guys alike can be cut down or liberated, depending on how well it is used.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Just please remove the reference....not just for me, but for all people on this site who lost their families.
Thank you.

Easier to close it, sorry Marlene.