In 1845, Karl Marx wrote a little-known philosophical treatise of eleven theses which was a landmark turning point in his life, if not in the world, and this was entitled “Theses on Feuerbach”. It was here that he laid down his most important philosophical thought or rather his most revolutionary praxis: “Heretofore philosophers merely interpreted the world in various ways; the point however is to change it!”
Comes now this art exhibit of Sigwada Gallery that is entitled “Theses on Philosophy”. Twenty-five young artists have come forward to express a particular thought: “Philosophy begets art; Art begets philosophy”.
At its inception, the concept was to draw inspiration from philosophers’ thoughts. But philosophy here does not mean an abstract, esoteric, abstruse mere mental exercise, it is to be a deeply personal reflection on issues and concerns that matter, and those are: on life, on freedom, on man’s existence and purpose, on morality, on mortality.
The resultant artworks are truly life challenging. Witness the titles and themes: life...death…fate…beliefs...self identity…knowing…displeasure…the world…freedom…faith. Likewise philosophers chosen were Socrates, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Martin Heidegger, Confucius, Karl Jung, Friedrich Nietzsche. Truly the exhibit accomplished the original objectives aligned with Martin Heidegger’s dictum that “Art should first and foremost be concerned with truth”.
The exhibit’s art statement could or could not be similar to Marx’s landmark theses which were iconoclastic and revolutionary. Who knows, it could be a seminal move which would launch a unique approach to artmaking, one which would certainly uplift both artists and appreciators. Both artists, appreciators and patrons should consider artworks primarily not just as material collections or décor but as images and artifacts that will lead them to become more whole, more complete, more authentic persons, stewards of the earth, and children of God.
