"Whether the arts flourish best in a period of growth and expansion, or of decay, is a question that I cannot answer." I definitely agree with this because I've never figured that out, either. We certainly gotten some great art from periods of decay but not always and of course, is it worth it for society to decay just so we get good art? Ha. It's a strange subject. Awesome post. I enjoyed many of the quotes.
It does seem almost like a silly question to ask . . . really, does it matter which cultural phase — ascension or decline — we are in, as long as the art is good? And I agree with you about not wanting culture to decline merely for the sake of the arts. I can't imagine some cultural commentator saying something like "wow, society sure has gone to ruin; get ready for some good art!"
"Whether the arts flourish best in a period of growth and expansion, or of decay, is a question that I cannot answer." I definitely agree with this because I've never figured that out, either. We certainly gotten some great art from periods of decay but not always and of course, is it worth it for society to decay just so we get good art? Ha. It's a strange subject. Awesome post. I enjoyed many of the quotes.
It does seem almost like a silly question to ask . . . really, does it matter which cultural phase — ascension or decline — we are in, as long as the art is good? And I agree with you about not wanting culture to decline merely for the sake of the arts. I can't imagine some cultural commentator saying something like "wow, society sure has gone to ruin; get ready for some good art!"
LOL. That would be hilarious.