China Needs Art

by Li Feng

Few would deny arts power to enrich the spiritual world and enhance aesthetic appreciation ability. In todays China， these basic functions of art are crucial. Unimaginable tragedies that developed and civilized societies manage to avoid occurred in China， testifying to the peoples inability to recognize that which is true， virtuous and beautiful. This is partially due to peoples limited involvement in artistic activities which help boost the aesthetic talent and establish benevolent mortal values. Ancient Greek philosophers proved that art can raise moral standards， while in China， few have appreciated this function of art and have seldom employed it in this regard.

Also， art can kindle the creative power of a nation. Art and technology share a common characteristic： theyre both the fruit of creativity. Every band and opera troupe performs varied versions of the same work， which demonstrates that not only making art requires a creative process， but also performing it. If a nation embraces art and artistic activities become popular with the public， innovation abounds.

Chinese enterprises have been lingering at the bottom of production chains， processing or imitating products， which produces only marginal profits. Many enterprises are looking to upgrade. However， China severely lacks the creative foundation due to poor artistic education. Todays art classes dont necessarily need to produce the next Monet or Picasso， but inspire outstanding scientists， architects or entrepreneurs.

Considered core subjects in many developed countries， art education plays a miniscule role in the Chinese educational system， especially in rural areas. Some schools even lack a music or dance teacher. Students cannot recognize basic musical instruments. Donations to children in poverty-stricken areas are usually teaching equipment like desks and chairs or indispensable goods like food. Such items are certainly necessary， but spiritual help is also important. Whats more， in some rural areas of China， the children do not need clothes and food anymore， but more hope and spirit. Mother Teresa once said that poverty can result from barren souls and dwindling spirit. Therefore， impoverished people may be more in need of art than people in more affluent areas. The power of art can overcome poverty and inspire pride， dignity and confidence in poor children. Even in Chinas cities， publicizing art is not enough. For instance， Beijing has only three professional concert halls， whereas Tokyo has more than a hundred. In a nutshell， Chinas rural areas need artistic enlightenment and its urban areas need artistic popularization.