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Whoops! I guess I missed the part where Mr. Adams was struggling for survival when he said he must study politics and war? (To the exclusion of other valuable studies?). As noted he was not denied an education with broader influences and the contributions they may have added to his value as a statesman. My concern is that the arts might be considered an outside extra thing and only be considered a blessing and diversion available in "good times". I especially like Steve's comments in the first paragraph of his post above. He noted a significant benefit to the artist by exposure to the observations of others and I argue only that this same benefit applies to all other professions as well. For the same reasons I would also argue that rulers and politicians would be much stronger if the same kind of questioning were an integral part of their training and understanding. It might do much to prevent them from believing that they are "the chosen keepers of the human experience". I wish I could trust that political conceit does not prevail.
I don't think of art so much as a way to "escape" and by no means think it should be defined or limited to the decorative arts. As Robert Henri said about the artist (whatever his profession): "When the Artist is alive in any person, whatever his kind of work may be, he becomes an inventive, searching, daring self-expressing creature. He disturbs, upsets, enlightens, and he opens ways for a better understanding. Where those who are not artists are trying to close the book, he opens it, shows there are still more pages possible". And: "Art tends towards balance, order, judgment of relative values, the laws of growth, the economy of living--"
A pretty lofty opinion of the contribution of the arts but I care to think of our role as far more than that of decorators. I find as much and sometimes more enrichment and communication with the artists of primitive societies than what is produced for so many today that has little more to be said for it than its lavish expense.
I agree that survival is often a preoccupation but creation is a characteristic that differs us from all other living things and does not depend on good times to manifest itself. Why not think of the role of the artist/arts as part of the formation and building blocks of a society and not merely evidence of wealth and sophistication?
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