From the Mountainhead to the Future: Alexandra York BBS 2nd Year Visions: A Thematic

 

Essay: From the Fountainhead to the Future by Alexandra York

About the Essayist 

Alexandra York is an American author, artist, and cultural critic. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in New York City. York studied at the Art Students League of New York and later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Boston University.

She has written several books, including novels, non-fiction works, and essays, focusing on themes such as individualism, aesthetics, and cultural issues. York is also known for her advocacy of Objectivism, a philosophical system developed by Ayn Rand. She continues to write and contribute to cultural discourse, exploring the intersection of art, philosophy, and personal freedom.

·        Fountainhead: It is a source of something, a type of beginning, origin, root, or source. Here, in this essay, it means the art and ideas of ancient Greece.

·        Renaissance (पुनर्जागरण): It is a revival or rebirth, especially of culture and learning. Renaissance is a French word meaning “rebirth.” It refers to a period in European civilisation that was marked by a revival of classical learning and wisdom.

·        Iconoclasts (एक व्यक्ति जसले स्थापित विश्वास वा संस्थाहरूमा आक्रमण गर्दछ): a person who attacks settled beliefs or institutions

·        Nihilists (ईश्वरमा विश्वास नगर्ने व्यक्ति): A person who does not believe in God.

·       Representational art- It refers to art that represents something in particular, paintings and sculptures, that have been created by accurately copying real object sources.

 

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The Main Gist of the Essay

In her essay, Alexandra York rejects the spiritless human values and meaningless art of the 20th century, advocating instead for a revival of the American Renaissance of high culture in art. Drawing parallels with the European Renaissance from the 14th to 17th centuries, York emphasises the need for advancement and development in every sector of American culture. She highlights the moral and spiritual nourishment found in Ancient Greek ideals, which she sees as a source of inspiration for human values, spirituality, and art.

 

York laments the loss of morality and spirituality in American art and culture in the mid-20th century, noting a shift towards materialism and self-centeredness. To rejuvenate human values and spirituality through art, she proposes a revival of the American Renaissance, suggesting that instead of merely copying Ancient Greek ideas, they should be reimagined and reborn to create a brighter future. York calls for unity in opening a clear channel for these reborn values to flow from the fountainhead of Ancient Greek ideals to the future of American culture.

Summary of the Essay

This is an essay written by Alexandra York. In this essay, she appeals for a revival of the American Renaissance in art for the 21^st century. For it, she wants to begin with the ancient Greek ideal: the moral and spiritual nourishment of the individual, the undivided self. At that time, individuals were moral, spiritual, and conscious of physical fitness. People were not divided into different terms. Their great art still uplifts the spirit of people all over the globe. According to them, art could be used as a universal language.

By the early mid-twentieth century, people became self-centred and money-minded. There was a lack of spirituality. Objective standards of judgment of art were ridiculed. (were made fun of) Anything and everything was called art if the art said goodbye to famous critics. As a result, twentieth-century American iconoclasts became nihilists. 

She added that towards the end of this century, some opposition forces like individuals escaping from reality and responsibility, divisions between men and women, mind and body, reason and emotion, art and meaning, etc. are well established and working hard to further degrade our culture and creating problem to set our feet on the path of Renaissance of high culture. Nowadays, there is raw sensationalism and an absence of values in TV, movies, the visual arts, popular fiction, music, and so on, due to which art is distorted. The media traders rush to find out serial killers, rapists, and child molesters. Except few, they don't think to explore the souls of heroes, creators, and achievers. We live in an emotionally conflicted age. Family bonds and ties are secondary, while money has become the centre of happiness. So, York thinks that we need emotional fuel. This means not only the mind but the heart and the soul should also be nurtured.

She advises that in the world, divisions among different terms are increasing, so we must seek commonality among individuals who share universal (common) values and eternal(timeless) truths (the truth that doesn’t change over time) that hold for all humankind. In an artistic environment that glorifies ugliness, we must respect beauty. Within beauty, we must respect order, proportion, balance, harmony, and grace too (or the writer perhaps says within beauty, these all things lie). Beauty possesses redemptive (छुटकारा दिने) powers, but when it is created by a human hand, it can be even more redemptive, more powerful, because it is created with intent. In some art, beauty involves human values which help to experience our own best selves. The art that expresses the universality of humanistic meaning and rises above time and place is "high art." It is an expression of aesthetic values and communicates timeless and universal human values. 

She pleads in her essay for representationalism in the visual arts (visual art should present the outer world), tonality and melody in music, grace and clear self-expression of movement in dance, and meaning in written works. The form of art can stretch, bend, twist, turn, expand, and reduce to accommodate (put) endless meanings. The art form can be distorted as a result; it pollutes the human figure, and art displays a hatred for art and life itself. According to the writer, art is a way to a better future; it is the shortcut to philosophy. She suggests painters, sculptors, writers, composers, dancers, musicians, actors, poets, audiences, and patrons who love life and the art that enhances living must seek out other same types of individuals and join together to enjoy art and enrich our moments on this earth through art experiences that lift our spirits, move us to contemplative चिन्तनशील thought and remind us why life is worth living.

She praises Renaissance Europeans because they did not try to repeat the Greek ideal but created a true rebirth of ideas. They redefined the Greek ideal to suit their own needs. They succeeded. She says, now it is America's time to enter into a shining future culture. Instead of copying Greek art, we need to take ideas from Greek art and give fresh and innovativeness ideas in the art. She boldly asserts that art filled with beauty that expresses life-serving values and humanistic ideas is a powerful expression of that light, which was ignited (caught fire) in ancient Greece, renewed during the European Renaissance, and reflected across all civilisations ever in a countless variety that celebrates individual achievement and excellence. Now she encouraged us to bring American Renaissance in art and ideas and to join together to open a new, clear channel through which our reborn values can flow from the fountainhead to the future.

Possible Questions and Answers

a.      What divisions are prevalent in contemporary society? What can be done to address this malady?

In contemporary society, divisions manifest in various forms, including political, social, economic, and cultural divides. These rifts often lead to polarisation, conflict, and a lack of unity. To address this malady, efforts should focus on fostering understanding, empathy, and dialogue among different groups. Promoting education, inclusivity, and diversity can bridge these divides, fostering a more cohesive society. By encouraging open-mindedness and respect for differing perspectives, individuals can find common ground and work towards shared goals, transcending divisive barriers.

b.     Explain what the writer means when she says that the age in which we live is 'emotionally conflicted' (4).

The description of our age as "emotionally conflicted" implies a widespread sense of uncertainty, anxiety, and conflicting emotions. This may stem from rapid societal changes, technological advancements, and political instability. The tension between traditional values and modern ideals can lead to disorientation and confusion. Navigating these conflicting emotions requires introspection and a reassessment of societal values to find harmony and balance. Embracing empathy, understanding, and tolerance can help alleviate this emotional conflict, fostering a more compassionate and cohesive society.

c.      Explain 'ours should be a declarative step toward establishing a nationwide, cooperative endeavour to create a rebirth (not a revival) of positive art and ideas that will give 'expression to the new mood...... vigorous and revitalising' (12).

The writer advocates for a nationwide, cooperative effort to create a rebirth, not a revival, of positive art and ideas. This entails reimagining and revitalising past ideas for the present and future. By creating art and ideas that are relevant and meaningful to contemporary society, this endeavour aims to express a new, vigorous, and revitalising mood, inspiring a positive cultural shift. This approach requires creativity, innovation, and a willingness to challenge conventional norms, fostering a culture that values artistic expression and intellectual exploration.

 

d.     In the last sentence of paragraph 9, Alexandra York says that society is 'becoming more illiterate by the minute.'' What hints and suggestions do you find in the text that lead to this conclusion?

The assertion that society is "becoming more illiterate by the minute" suggests a decline in cultural and intellectual standards. This decline may be evident in contemporary art and culture, which can lack moral and spiritual depth. Materialism, self-centeredness, and superficiality in modern society contribute to this perceived decline in literacy, affecting intellectual depth and moral understanding. To counter this trend, promoting critical thinking, cultural appreciation, and ethical awareness is essential. Encouraging a culture of lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity can help elevate societal literacy and enrich cultural discourse.

e.      How can beauty be turned against itself? Do you consider exposure of the human body in modern advertisements an instance of beauty turned against itself?

Beauty can be turned against itself when used to manipulate or deceive. In modern advertisements, exposing the human body can distort beauty, objectifying or commodifying individuals and promoting unrealistic standards. This distortion detracts from beauty's true essence and value, undermining its potential to inspire and uplift. Maintaining integrity in portraying beauty ensures it remains a force for positive influence and cultural enrichment. By promoting a more authentic and inclusive portrayal of beauty, society can uphold its intrinsic value and promote a healthier perception of beauty in contemporary culture.

 

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