Art as an Expression of Culture
Contributed by Saira Nagi
Art is communication. Things that cannot be expressed in the limited vocabulary provided to us are painted by our imagination. Each society and country has their own born artists which speak their identity. Art is a self-affirming activity which helps us to interpret, think about or challenge our cultural life. These practices help contribute to an individual and collective sense of identity and citizenship. Different communities celebrate their cultural identity uniquely through arts which does not emerge into our cultures. It develops a society’s identity.
Our culture is informed by various forms of artistic and social endeavor such as technology, style, politics, music, performance and arts. The dress code of a country speaks the way of life those people. France is a known country of fashion and beauty with Paris one of the world’s fashion capitals. French style with its hats, floral dresses, high heeled shoes and enchanting fragrances speaks its customs. Even language and poetry lies under art which distinguishes different countries. Art takes turns as a community grows.
Picasso, for example, a famous artist reflects through his paintings the cultural split of the old and new world. Architects today have the daunting task of design for the present and future of a diverse and quickly changing culture. Buildings inherently and unavoidably document the everyday life of a culture. It displays the pattern of a society. Festivals are celebrated worldwide with their own traditional bases. India has its festival of Holi which they celebrate with different colors to fill livelihood into their lives.
Pakistan has its celebration of Eid with people dressing up according to the tradition. I believe that the art of a culture also portrays our religious identity with its various aspects. Music is also a form of art which adds up to the unique culture of each society. It is the tune of instruments that builds up a
community’s recognition. Paintings even get famous worldwide like that of the Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci who brought about the famous Mona Lisa which raises the rank of a country in the world.
Art is the color and texture of your imagination and each citizen or anyone part of a community has a right to add up to their culture. Many are those who have talents but lie behind the eye. In Pakistan there is a famous skill of doing truck art which many people living in villages are capable of but are not recognized in the country. Art is a mirror of the people of a society which builds up their cultural identity and become a voice in the world.
Tourists who come to explore different countries get aware of the life style of those people. I once went to Abu Dhabi and my trip to its village summed it all up. Their beautiful handmade shawls and Arabic fragrances gave me a chance to look into their culture. I was introduced to various paintings of camels and deserts which is the essence of their country. Art and culture is sold as a lifestyle commodity. I believe that with a strong sense of art and creativity one can celebrate their identity, culture or performance in a unique skillful manner with a wide recognition.
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Contributed by Saira Nagi
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