AESTHETICIZATION OF VIOLENCE IN MODERN ART
Violence is one of the oldest historical confrontations between men dating way
back to the biblical story of Abel and his brother Cain who slaughtered him in cold
blood. As is said, a picture is worth more than 10,000 words and thereby painters
look to represent these acts of historical violence to give people a feel of historical
events.
Sculptors have not been left behind with their works of portraying ancient warfare
such as the famous Roman Sacophagus, The passion of Christ among others, all
which depict extreme use of violence of the authorities in handling their enemies
and law breakers.
Filmmakers have also joined in the sensationalized depiction of warfare and
violence in theatre films. These films range from minimal to extreme depictions of
violence of historical and future warfare. This has led to controversy on the extent
of violence that should be allowed to feature in these films, some arguing that
extreme violence in films fails to meet the purpose of films which should be to
provide entertainment and educate but instead that these result into depression, fear
and even delusional reality for the viewer. With the other group holding the
argument that these films provide a great form of sensational entertainment to the
viewer, providing a way for the viewers to connect with the referenced play works,
the controversy appears to hold the fateful resolve of agreeing to disagree between
the two schools of thought.
Depiction of violence in modern art has taken a new course with the portraying of
extreme violence in by the media the news. This goes a long way to prove that
even though depictions of violence is regarded by many as something that should
not be portrayed to the general public, it is a subject that cannot be evaded as
violence surrounds us every day.
Therefore, what is important is that instead of criticizing the depiction of violence
in modern art, we ourselves become the change we need to see by campaigning
and being agents of peaceful resolution of conflicts.
