I have chosen to discuss the above question as I believe that I have a well established knowledge and can now justify the difference between both fine art and graphic design as well as its value to society. Simplifying the question, I will initially look at the differentiation between the monetary and personal meaning of ‘value’ to an individual in the hope that this will establish whether fine art is seen as having higher value than that of graphic design and also, what is fine art and graphic design? This is a subject whom many people have debated about, and when left to the working professionals to decide, they would choose to defend their chosen form. Looking to the dictionary for a globally accepted definition of art and design we get;
“Design: To create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan
Art: the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects”
I have decided to analyse both fine arts and graphics separately, ensuring that I have valid points for both sides of the argument, and from this I will be able to reach an educated and well informed conclusion.
The monetary meaning of ‘value’ would be obvious, is there a financial figure we can apply to it? Personal becomes a little more difficult to define. It could be what that particular form makes someone feel, whether it has a personal connection to them, whether it takes them back to a significant period in their lives or whether it has inspired someone to make a change in their lives.
Classically, fine art has always been a cornerstone of what we see as being ‘valuable’ with many works of art going for tens of millions at a time. Fine art and its components is something instilled in us from a young age, from Picasso to DaVinci, we are taught that this is ‘art’. This can be from drawing to sculpture etc. Fine art takes years of skill and time to create and may perhaps end up as something which wouldn’t have gained recognition. The value of the art work is questionable; expense is a big issue, displayed in a home it can convey a sense wealth, grandeur and educational background. On the other hand, perhaps the value could be seen as how it has helped a culture for example, as it forms the basis of many other forms such as architecture. Fine art not only shows beautiful images of scenes and people, but shapes the way which one would view as being beautiful, romantic or passionate. This insight into someone else’s thoughts, ideals and mind is maybe the real value which people seek to find.
Another value which could be placed upon fine art is the insight into history, and a unique insight at that. A piece of artwork can better illustrate and capture feelings of a particular event than any written form could. Fine art not only captures the feelings but shows us the culture of that particular era and lets us see the way things where.
This can be supported in an article found online by Thomas Chacko who states; "Art Collectors and investors are always on the look out for gaining exclusive collector’s items, which could increase their prestige and also serve as an excellent investment medium. In the art field that means, an artwork that has made a significant impact on the history of art or an artwork created by a very influential artist. It is even better if the artist brought about a paradigm shift that changed the conventions of the time. Eg: da Vinci with Mona Lisa, Picasso with Cubism, Lichtenstein with Pop-Art."
The above quote is a reference to the fine art piece entitled 'No.5', 1948 by Jackson Pollock which has recently been acquired for $140 million in 2006.
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| No.5 by Jackson Pollock |
Graphic design has many functions, even if most of these are disposable ones at that. Graphics has come from fine art origins and has excelled in what it has achieved. The way graphics makes people think and feel is ‘value’ at its best making something have a personal or emotional attachment to someone by the use of images and type. Graphic design has given us the road sign, maps and many other items which have advanced our lives and shown us a much easier to understand way of analysing data.
Graphic Design in terms of monetary value could be viewed in different ways; yes a piece of graphic design by the famous Neville Brody may be worth a large figure, but perhaps look at it in terms of what graphic design can make a business or a campaign. A rather recent and impacting example would be that of the Presidential campaign.
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| Shepard Fairey - Hope |
There is a strong belief that without graphic design, the campaign would not have reached as many people and the sheer range of people that it did. A good piece of graphic design therefore, can be the fine line between success and failure for a lot of businesses.
Susanne K. Langer wrote in her book The Cultural Importance of the Arts “Every culture develops some kind of art as surely as it develops language. Some primitive cultures have no real mythology or religion,but all have some art”
This shows that the statement made about fine art capturing and giving our culture a value is quite true when you think about places without art and how they perhaps dont have any physical way of seeing there past other than tales makes you see the importance of the artwork being hung.
Gerry McGovern also said“As a result, they underestimate the value of design. Think of the products you buy or the stores that you shop at. Have you ever hesitated on a purchase because of the way it looked?” This is a huge point trying to be made through this essay with the fact that we couldn’t use fine art to enrich the everyday lives of everyone. The value of graphic design being all around us shaping the forever changing ways of culture and style. It can be suggested that if graphic design wasnt around we wouldnt have any form of packaging devoted to certain people or aimed towards a certain market. Graphic design is subtle and changes enough to outlive that of fine art.
Further reading from the internet led me to an article about defining the cultural value of fine art it said;
“We could recreate Michelangelo’s ceiling, but that original hand at work is more valuable to preserve. Hence the importance attached to an original work compared to a carefully executed copy- we want those original emotional concerns, ecstasy, discovery, and problem solving the artist truly felt at the moment of production and not a faithful newer representation. It makes those ideas and emotions more real- we value reality.”
Although this makes you realise just how important the original is to keep in our lives and that the roof was created by the hands of a cultural hero. Are we not beginning to get picky at things? Do we need to let somethings go in room for the future for improvement. The quote says we value reality but how real is having to maintain and keep an old building every part the same it was made. Yes money is involved and so nothing will ever happen to a building worth so much, but imagine if there wasn't any monetary value attached, would it still be there. This brings me to the point of fine art not being for everyone it is a high end way of showing off.
In conclusion and weighing up the above arguments, It can be said that graphic design holds more value in today’s society than that of fine art. Fine art still seems to be something of an upper class pursuance, as it is in no way as accessible as that of graphic design. Fine art is now housed in museums and viewed only by those who seek it; this to me, does not hold any value in today’s society. Many people don’t have the time, patience or the means to get to a place to see it, as many of the world’s finest artworks are displayed in Paris and Italy, our society is all being about fast, instant and on demand and this just doesn’t cut it.Graphic design is the polar opposite.
It is seen all around us, flyers, advertisements and posters showing new techniques and inspiring people more than fine art ever can .In the means of money It is believed, graphic design in the long run, has the potential to overcome that of fine art. Fine art may be worth millions of pounds; however this is applicable to a single item. Graphic design doesn’t have a limited times of sale, graphic design is expandable, expendable and disposable all of which generates money for both sides. Graphic design in terms of value can meet what fine art can for example if you create a poster to solve a problem it is graphic design if you created the poster for the purpose of just making a poster it can be called art. Graphic design can create a globally recognisable image and in turn generate billions of pounds worth of profit, after all, where would Coca-Cola be without their iconic ‘dynamic ribbon’ logo?
Therefore I strongly believe that in our current society, graphic design holds more ‘value’ than fine art.
Bibliography:
The Cultural Importance of the Arts
Susanne K. Langer
Journal of Aesthetic Education, Vol. 1, No. 1. (Spring, 1966), pp. 5-12.
The Value of Graphic Design
Gerry McGovern
Defining Culture and to Use it to Value Art
Kieran Shep
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-articles/defining-cultural-value-and-how-to-use-it-to-value-art-1077097.html
Election Poster:
http://www.adpulp.com/obamarketing/
'No5.' Jackson Pollock Image:
http://understandingpaintings.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/no-5-1948-jackson-pollock-worlds-most-expensive-painting/
Thomas Chacko Quote:
http://understandingpaintings.wordpress.com/2010/07/19/no-5-1948-jackson-pollock-worlds-most-expensive-painting/
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