How has the art of the past shaped the art of the future?

[art_interviewer]

I'd enjoy reading your views about how the art of the past has shaped the art of today. Why do artists like William T. Wiley find direction in the art of past cultures... why do some contemporary artists feel the need to embrace the past? Do you think it is a form of rejection of modern society?

Also, some of you might be interested in reading the

Comments

[kenosis]

Is it possible for an artist in the present not be affected by art of the past?

[kenosis]

Umm, I think I forgot the word "to" in there.

Hi

[art_interviewer]

I guess I'm thinking more along the lines of artists who combine aspects of today with images of the past. The art of the past does shape the art of the future, but why does it seem that many artists are combining old imagery with views of today? Knights with firearms painted in a manner that questions modern warfare... and so on.

Re: Hi

[kenosis]

If they think that's a new movement then they're completely ignorant of artists that depict war. That's a time-honored anachronicity, I assure you. Take a look on the outside of the typical European cathedral or of art of the medieval age, for example -- I'm thinking specifically of the art within the Great Canterbury Psalter. When they depict David and Goliath, for example, Goliath is wearing armor and carrying weapons that would make him a contemporary of the Third Crusade. Jesus is arrested by soldiers in mail hauberks. Hmm ...

[thewrittenweird]

This is a fuzzy, mostly rhetorical question. Rhetorical because it kind of doesn't deserve an answer. Is this just a plug masquerading as a post, or what?

Hi

[art_interviewer]

So why does it not deserve an answer? There more and more contemporary artists using imagery that provokes thoughts of the past. I find it interesting. So what are your opinions on why it happens? I'm thinking of doing an article about it, but I want to read some views about it first.

Re: Hi

[thewrittenweird]

Sorry, what I meant to say was that the questions you pose are highly philosophical ones, ones without answers--but of course with plenty of opinions attached. What you initially asked was a very broad, very "fuzzy" (as I said), and I'm glad you clarified above with Kenosis

[metahara]

incorporating retro images does not necessarily imply influence- it can be mocking, it can be rejecting and rebelling.
For instance, Feminist Culture Jamming (for at least the last 50 yr.s) takes retro and modern oppressive imagery and turns the sexist under and overtones inside out and upside down.
It is not a new to mix media, to mix era's or to mix influences.
people have shared, borrowed, rejected and been influenced by art of more than one era since their have been eras.

[metahara]

let me clarify use of the word influence in the comment above.
I can be inspired by the color blue or an image from 1952, not the same as being influenced by....