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Art That Demonstrates: Action And Contemplation, David J. Baker

Graduate School of Art Theses

Abstract

Our culture is permeated with "noise" that detracts from what really matters: a life of helping others. By making an effort to save time for reflection and contemplation, artists, who actively define our contemporary culture, can greatly benefit society and offer an alternative to this "noise." By focusing on ethical considerations and transforming one's core values, artists can begin to demonstrate the self-sacrificing qualities that assist and enlighten a society. This thesis examines some crucial spiritual and artistic works that counter the distractions that keep people from living the lives they were meant to live. Further, it describes how …