Since the title is a bit attention-grabbing, it is always open to debates. And since this is another article you encounter on the internet, there’s no need to take it too seriously if it does not align with your understanding. It is simply a brief approach and my critique. So, contrary thoughts are welcomed as long as they are respectful.
Culture is the sum of traditional or modern communal thoughts, behaviors, and creations that are accepted and applied in a society, or at least by the majority of it.
These can be morally wrong or ethically debatable from an external perspective. On the contrary, they can be revolutionary to others or offer mind-opening approaches to events.
I understand that it may sound complicated without providing specific examples related to a particular community, but I believe I must continue in this manner. If you need an example, you might consider your own experiences or cultural events.
So, what is this “fake culture” then, and how does it corrupt or diminish the value of various forms of art? First and foremost, fake culture is not a modern phenomenon. It can be created by individuals seeking an advantage over others. Therefore, due to certain enduring characteristics of humanity, it is timeless.
Taking advantage of others is a one-sided act that can manifest as favoritism in the realms of justice, power, or simply money. In this era, which we sometimes consider modern, cultural approaches often seem to conclude with the pursuit of financial gain. Consequently, they prioritize aspects that could be utilized to construct a counterfeit artistic profile, rather than elements that could enhance its quality.
Having that advantage can be made easier by exploiting elements that belong to a community’s culture (or maybe a local one), which has been created by people across generations and through various forms of artistic expression. To further clarify, I will provide three basic examples related to literature, painting, and film.
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How could fake culture affect literature? Well, one of the fundamental reasons is the emergence of new and unorthodox novels that diverge from the prevailing cultural structure. Yes, I’m referring to those “best-sellers.” Novels are not necessarily have to be the copy of others or standard, but these one are created for the sake of gaining a portion of popularity. Every time I come across a book online, it’s almost always a best-seller. These books are neither classics nor do they possess literary value, yet they dominate the scene.
Autobiographies or biographies inherently lack literary value. They simply cannot possess it. They resemble journals, travel blogs, or academic papers rather than poems or novels. To infuse them with literary value, you must either craft wordplay that complements the flow of your narrative or infuse them with your soul and emotions. However, instead of this, there are countless stories out there, urging you to become better, wealthier, or more motivated.
Certainly, we might require guidance in our lives, but how many books do we truly need to realize that they exist merely as products, created without effort, and perhaps not even authored by the individuals whose names adorn their covers?
When we read a book and fall in love with it, we often see adaptations of those books in cinemas or on online streaming platforms. The producers understand that, whether these novels possess literary value or not, they can generate income from audiences. However, when they transition into another medium, as mentioned earlier, they often lose their original essence. This is because movies cannot replicate the literary depth found in the original works. It simply doesn’t work that way.
Consequently, we no longer adore the book itself, but rather, we appreciate the idea and the visual spectacle it offers. It becomes a mere shell, devoid of its original value. Furthermore, they market merchandise and collectibles to us in an attempt to increase profits.
Now, please pay attention here: Once a genuine work of art (or an entire artistic field) is commercialized, it almost immediately loses its intrinsic value. What’s even more frustrating is that this “success” encourages others to follow suit. This, in turn, results in the scenario described in the second part of the title: it tarnishes the reputation of art.
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Art galleries are enjoyable, provided that we understand what we are observing. They serve as enjoyable weekend activities for the majority of the community, but not much beyond that. Some of the artworks displayed in these galleries, such as those by renowned painters, like Dali or Picasso, possess profound meaning. They consistently make their presence felt in conversations about art. Their unique styles have introduced new dimensions to our perception of art. Consequently, they can rightfully be considered as the part true art. Otherwise, they might have become just another obscure painter lost in the annals of history, like so many others.
Certainly, fame is not a prerequisite for creating something remarkable in the field of art. I just felt like I had to say it.
Art should ideally leave a lasting impression, perhaps even be life-changing, especially for those who are dedicated to studying the field. However, unless we take the initiative to understand the true essence of art within our specific areas of interest, we may encounter an influx of art that lacks meaningful substance.
Now you must be wondering: “What is wrong with that? People tend to create something and like to share their works. They should create for more to be better. Practice makes things perfect.”
I couldn’t agree more. That is absolutely true. But here’s the catch: we start to care excessively. Needless to say, the first reason is social media and popular culture. We tend to be preoccupied with everyone’s work, especially that of “famous” individuals, to the point where we forget to educate ourselves about what truly holds value. If we can’t break free from this pattern, genuine art will keep losing its value. This occurs because we often have no clear criteria for discerning what is truly good. The truth is, liking a post on social media does not inherently improve its quality.
We have become somewhat apathetic toward everything that matters most, while paradoxically investing our attention in such trivial matters. You can probably guess what happens next, can’t you? It starts affecting our own lives as well.
Photo by Erlend Ekseth on Unsplash
I am not claiming to have all the answers, nor do I believe I am the best, no. However, trying to be more decent person in my life while choosing what truly matters for self-improvement.
I firmly believe that we need a “life filter”. Consider limiting your exposure to social media by following a select few high-quality pages, unfollowing unnecessary ones, reading more until you find those that truly enrich your understanding, engaging in more critical thinking, and being open to dissenting opinions (as long as they are respectful to yours). It’s important to teach ourselves the deeper meanings behind things.
In times of abundance, we often categorize things in great detail to make sense of them. However, in the process, we sometimes forget the fundamental essence of the generic concepts.
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