Summeries of Ted Talk/ Southan

Art is viewed in many different ways and has many different powers and purposes in peoples lives. For some it is a way to escape reality and go into another state of mind and for others who are blessed with the ability to create art, their career. When reading Southan’s article I was filled with different emotions almost as if my opinion was trying to be changed on the way I view art. In Southan’s writing we are given opinions from the views of both the writer and the EA. The EA believes that all lives matter and the happiness and well being of people are most important. They say that happiness is the most important but they want people to work for the jobs that will pay them the most money even if they are miserable doing that job to them everything is about money. Southan on the other hand talks about the importance of art even if it is just on a personal level. He realizes that he could be contributing more than he is but he is enjoying making his art. He also mentions the analogy of a drowning person in the pond and the morals of saving that person to me it means that if the problem was in front of him, he would respond but since its a theoretical issue that he isn’t experiencing it doesn’t have such a strong impact. After listening to the Ted Talk by Titus it really had me thinking about the history of art and how the black race was seen and portrayed, even in todays society. They have always been shoved into the background and Titus wanted to change that in a way that faced out the other people who were once the focus of the painting into the background and brought the little boy to light. He used the oil on the painting because he didn’t want to erase the history of the painting because he cant change the past but he can change the future through his paintings. Another topic that both Southan and Titus touch upon is the economical status. Titus when he talks about the meaning of the golden necklace and how it made that lady stick out and Southan when he talks about jobs and donating as much money as possible stating that you should only keep as much as you need and donate the rest.

After reading both of these stories and perspectives on art it made me think about art in a higher power. My whole life I have been in the visual and performing arts for my school district, because I enjoy it and it brought happiness to others who were able to come to the art shows and our school concerts, but now I see it in a new way. I love how Titus was trying to change the history behind his art to not only explain something to his son but also to explain to others that everyone was created equal and that everyone should have their chance to shine and be happy. I think that is something both Southan and Titus did a good job explaining was how they wanted happiness out of art. Titus was more focused on history and the happiness of the African American race and Southan on his own happiness. I believe that art is special and differs by who is admiring it and both Southan and Titus did a great job getting their views of art across.