Does Art Really Need Ideal Conditions? - Discussion
Theater is one of the most expressive forms of Performing Arts. It brings out the best of a performer on the stage, who then receives the feedback right there from the audience. It is the most challenging form of the Art too. You’re performing right in front of hundreds of people sitting, looking right at your face and expecting quality act from you. You need to live up to them and that’s where it becomes the most difficult.
Stage plays had lost their place in our society in Pakistan over the last decade. People had switched to TV and then to the Internet. People stopped going to the theaters to actually watch the live art. It had a lot of impact on the Art overall in Pakistan. Actors and Artists automatically lost the quality they used to have. The new lot being induced in the rest of the forms of art didn’t go through the stage level where they used to groom and grow as actors in the past.
However, things have been better recently. The biggest reason in this change has been possible because of the improved security situation of the country. Today I went to a promotional talk for an upcoming play. Two of the most seasoned actors of the industry were there to promote it. Their names are Sania Saeed and Nimra Bucha. You can Google (Nimra was wearing Google printed Saarhi, lol) their names to watch them in action if you want to.
Do you think terror can affect Art? Does Art ever stop? Does it need any ideal conditions to spread? Is it practical to expect the artists to keep spreading the light no matter what the conditions are? What’s your opinion? I ask this because we all know the purest and best form of Art has been produced at the time of War and unsuitable conditions.
Lets discuss!
Wonderful topic.
Two sides to the story:
Art is made when its bound to be made. It's like all other mystical occurring in harmony with the universe waiting to happen that we have no control over. It erupts out of people who are mere channels for its manifestation. So no, no amount of war, hatred or catastrophes can "stop" art.
Second, considering the flip side that perhaps these things do impact the creation of art... Well, art isn't created where there's only blossoms blooming - art is born out of pain, suffering, beauty, melancholy just as much as it is out of happiness and contentment - perhaps even more than. I personally have witnessed and enjoyed art (poetry, writing and paintings) inspired by wars and disasters - by those who suffered and achieved oblivion through their suffering.
And art is not just light - though its sweet of you to put it that way, as you seem to be a positivist - art is the expression of the soul - whether its to display happiness, composure, grace, eloquence, boldness, sadness, remorse or anger. Art is the manifestation of feeling. And when have humans ceased to feel? :)
That is an excellent expression of thoughts, Aymen. I agree with almost everything you've said. I tried to be specific about Theatrical/Performing Arts in my discussion above. And how the conditions here have affected it. For example, you can not play Manto in Manto Park just because the law and order situation doesn't allow you to do so. You can just not do a flash mob in a mall and run away, cuz you're run only to get to the police van and end up in lockups. This has to improve and this is what we're missing.
Sluggish, to some extent lethargic and greedy attitude of the Theater Production houses is also a factor to this situation. We have to realize that monetizing arts is not bad, but problem is the greed we attach to almost everything these days. Earning money is set as a condition to everything. We do not try hard to make things possible just because it is not 'worth' it. At least that's how I look at it. What do you think is the reason these big theater groups like Sharabeel, Ajoka, Nautanki etc. are not trying to make their way to the Street Theater? Just imagine, street theaters on the streets of Lahore, in the Parks :)
And yes, we never cease to feel. That was great.
And thanks for reading through. I'm glad to see your comment.
Definitely. I took a more holistic approach on the whole thing. Being a strong theater person (in the recent past), I do agree with what you said about the lack of initiative from production houses. But even more so from the common man in Pakistan. The awareness and acceptance of performing art is not yet as strong as one may have hoped in Pakistan - given the conservative undertones, but it's not wishful to think that we're moving towards a more liberal and accepting status quo in the future when it comes to art and expression.
You're right. That's exactly what Sania Saeed said in the talk when a guy asked her why those plays were limited to the bigger cities. She said it was more of their responsibility than the actors. The locals should start from college/streets to develop some audience. That's when the actors jump in to attract more people. Well, she has an opinion and I respect it.
Great to know about your interest in theater. Last play?
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This is quite an important topic and I'm glad you brought it up. I believe terror does affect art economically and because industries do need funds to grow and improve, terror does affect the financial aspect associated with art and keeps it from growing bigger monetarily. However, it does not stop the emotional aspect of art and instead it help flourishes art. You must have seen that often great ideas and forms of art arise after great and big adversities. Adversities and terror have quite the ability to influence people strongly and strangely so often people come up with something amazing after going through something traumatizing so terror sometimes can help art grow inside the artist emotionally. As for the promotion of art, I think in times of terror, it is not practical to expect the artists to keep working on spreading it if their safety is in jeopardy. However, they should keep trying and we should support them in this endeavor because art does not only enlightens them but it also influences and inspires us too. Let me know if you ever need to me join any of the promotional events or need any volunteering in such events.
Thank you for such great words, milady! I agree with almost every part of your comment. We can surely work together on something. We'll keep this in the agenda when we meet :D
Sure plan something.