NY20+ Coantivirus International Online Art Exhibition Another Expressive Way of Emotions: Music
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NY20+ Coantivirus International Online Art Exhibition Another Expressive Way of Emotions: Music
Carrier of emotions
BGM of www.coantivirus.com
-- Be with You, Coling Zang (orchestra)
To who are accompanied by music during the tough time...
Any discipline of art has its own way to express emotions and create artistic image.
People who entered the exhibition website could probably find that we offer audiences not only a visual experience but also audio one with the hope that various art forms and its functions of record and empathy. The same as other forms of art, music may also be a great comfort for each uneasy, lonely and anxious soul in this pandemic time.
People who entered the exhibition website could probably find that we offer audiences not only a visual experience but also audio one with the hope that various art forms and its functions of record and empathy. The same as other forms of art, music may also be a great comfort for each uneasy, lonely and anxious soul in this pandemic time.
Music is an art form that can express human beings’ emotions and reflect the society through audio images. The moment people hear melody, they can’t help themselves being absorbed in the atmosphere it brings. Not everybody will unconsciously appreciate a painting, a performance, a sculpture... but music goes into almost everybody’s life. Such commonality and popularity of music make it one of the most extensive, impressive and influential art form. Therefore, music is indispensable for the Coantivirus Exhibition. During the curation, we try to connect and resonate with diverse arts and here comes with Be with You from Colin Zang.
When we were interviewing Mr. Zang about the function of music, the answer as follows coincides in some way with what we advocate in the exhibition: it is hard to clearly define functions presence of art in a time.
“I don’t think music (during the outbreak of COVID-19) matter too much, if matters, it may comfort and cheer people up. Probably the main thing music can do. And probably that is artists’ social responsibilities... It is values, wishes and spirits of the times that should be highlighted instead of the artistic value.”
“I don’t think music (during the outbreak of COVID-19) matter too much, if matters, it may comfort and cheer people up. Probably the main thing music can do. And probably that is artists’ social responsibilities... It is values, wishes and spirits of the times that should be highlighted instead of the artistic value.”
Colin also mentioned that most songs during the pandemic are of few values of art appreciation. But what make them different from music created during normal time is that they became carriers integrating history, life, emotions and wishes without the strong utilitarian motive.
We broadly recognized music as a carrier of emotions with a special charm endowed by the combination of emotions and forms and the development from a limited world to a borderless one. As the most direct way to express human spirits, music is not only a way to express emotion, but also to contemplate. Beethoven once said: "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy."
The Book of Rites: On Music, wrote that “When touched by the external world, the heart is moved, and therefore finds its expression in sounds. These sounds echo, or combine with, one another and produce a rich variety, and when the various sounds become regular, then we have rhythm.” (Lin Yutang, 2014). It briefly introduces the relation between music and emotions. As music carries profound and complicated feelings, we try to experience, express and reflect emotions through its form. Music harbors beauties when affections merged and radiated from it.
“Does music have power? Yes, it does, as one can absolutely figure out certain emotions from music. Do you think emotions have power? Or do you think narration have power? Music is the carrier of feelings and story is that of narration. If you don’t think they contain power, I believe they are powerless for you. However, the power of music is not an axiom so it is not black or white.”
The Book of Rites tells that “What are emotions? They are joys, angers, sorrow, fears, loves, antipathy and desires which human beings are born to have.” Then what is mankind? And this tough question is usually replied as human are animals of thoughts and emotions. Artists endow emotions to music and emotions are full of power, so one can definitely feel the power of emotions in music and also the power of from in music. The integration of form and emotions in music leads to powerful and appealing music. For example, in The Birth of Tragedy (Nietzsche), music is the expression and sublimation of emotions for Dionysus.
Whether you are a musician like Colin Zang who expresses his emotions through music, or an ordinary person who has deep empathy when listening to music, you are able to find a way to express your feelings, which is of certainly great aesthetic and social values of music.
We acknowledge music is the carrier of emotions. But it cannot be used as a basis for exaggerating the effect of music on social life. Music is not a social tool and lacks immediate effectiveness and utility. But the same as Colin, values and emotions of the times displayed by music are the focuses in our Coantivirus Exhibition.
Music is spiritual treasures, irreplaceable by any technologies, though it cannot effectively keep individuals safe as technologies and medicine when COVID-19 occurs. Songs have the function of “katharsis” put forward by Aristotle. They can arouse people’s pities, joys, fears, provide a way for people to release strong feelings and achieve the spiritual transcendence. Then the inner peace will bring individuals back to mental health. After “katharsis”, they will start to reflect themselves and the society, and ultimately try to make a difference.
Please enjoy your emotions.
My friends, no matter where you are, we are “With You”.
Interview
Colin Zang
Presentation
In January, 2020, he initiated Wu Han Melody Project, in which he and other musicians will create six to eight songs in fifteen days through catchy tones to spread important information of COVID-19 and offer the public comforts during a couple of days.
Colin Zang
Presentation
In January, 2020, he initiated Wu Han Melody Project, in which he and other musicians will create six to eight songs in fifteen days through catchy tones to spread important information of COVID-19 and offer the public comforts during a couple of days.
Bibliography
A History of the Artistic Ideas from Pre-Qin to Han Dynasties, Liu Chengji, People’s Publishing House, 2017
The Birth of Tragedy, Nietzsche, Shanghai People’s Publishing House, 2018
Poetics, Aristotle, Shanghai People’s Publishing House,2016
General Art--from Principles to Artistic Forms, Huang Zongxina, Hunan Art Press,2011
Outline of the History of Chinese Aesthetics, Ye Lang, Shanghai People’s Publishing House,1985
A History of the Artistic Ideas from Pre-Qin to Han Dynasties, Liu Chengji, People’s Publishing House, 2017
The Birth of Tragedy, Nietzsche, Shanghai People’s Publishing House, 2018
Poetics, Aristotle, Shanghai People’s Publishing House,2016
General Art--from Principles to Artistic Forms, Huang Zongxina, Hunan Art Press,2011
Outline of the History of Chinese Aesthetics, Ye Lang, Shanghai People’s Publishing House,1985
