Saltz Article Review

     When reading Jeffery Saltz's article "The Whole Ball of Wax" I was most intrigued by the question Saltz posed about art changing the world. How could a simple painting change the world? If art is just an object, what can it accomplish? Initially I thought this question was strange and thought that art couldn't change the world. I went on to read about the art changing individual topics such as global warming or a presidential election, I then decided yes art does have the potential to change the world. I connected it back to my history classes in High School and remembered the importance of propaganda in changing the country. It must not be that hard for art to expand and change the world. However, I was surprised when Saltz went on to explain that correct answer is no. Initially I was confused, but his approach made a lot of sense to me. By comparing art to a bridge, Saltz reminded me that art is always there but the individual analysis can be different. Everyone sees the same object but has the ability to interpret it in different ways. The physical bridge is the same yet different people use it for different things. This is the same with a piece of art. If many people look at an identical piece of art they can reach different conclusions as to what the art portrays. Overall, Saltz's article merged my two thoughts to create an answer. Art cannot change the world, but the ways people view and discuss it can change the world. Saltz's statement that "Art is not optional; it is necessary. It is part of the whole ball of wax." sums up the importance of art in the world. Art reflects opinions, current events, and all the things going on within humanities' brains. It is essential to the world, but does not make up a large part.