\graphicspath{{artsociety/}}
\section{Art as a Reflection of Society}

Art is a reflection of society in many ways, and as society grows more complex, so does our art.  Fractal art, due to its complexity, is an example
of this.
We can easily see many examples throughout history of how art is a reflection of society.  Cave drawings found throughout 
the world tell the story of hunters killing game.  Images found in archeological digs in Egypt contain scenes from the religious mythologies of the region as well as historical information.  Religious art of the Middle Ages depicts the beliefs of Christians of the time. 

The connection between art and society in these examples is obvious.  Art serves as a way to express religious beliefs or preserve history, so of course it is a direct reflection of society.  It has, however, been proposed that some of the more general features of art, such as style, may also tell us something about the society from which it comes.

One example of art reflecting society in a more general way is the relationship of the song styles of the Mbuti Pygmies
and Bushman and their cultures.  The musical culture of the pygmies revolves around group singing.  Their culture contains virtually no solo song except for lullabies.  The vocal lead of their songs switches between members with differing musical talents yet all receive equal vocal support from the group.  The pygmies use a yodeling tone in much of their music.  This is known to be physically one of the most relaxed vocalizations and is thought to symbolize openness in communication.

This vocal style seems to be matched by the style of the Pygmy culture which is characterized by cooperation.  The Pygmy men hunt in groups while the women gather in groups.  Food is divided among the people to ensure that everyone gets enough to eat. Law enforcement does not exist among their people.  Even the most severe crimes such as murder and theft do not have specific penalties. 

While the Pygmies live in the jungle, another society, the Bushman live in the desert.  The two groups are separated by 3,000 miles yet surprising similarities have been found between their cultures.  Despite environmental, racial, and linguistic differences, both the social structure and song structure of these two groups are quite similar.  This is a fact that supports the hypothesis that society affects the style of its art.

In an article entitled Art Styles as Cultural Cognitive Maps, J. L. Fischer theorizes about the relationship of art style to social conditions.  Fischer argues that the form the arts take in a specific culture are partially determined by social fantasy. The artist's fantasies about social situations are expressed in the form of the art he produces. In these cases the introduction of personal fantasy into an artist's work is usually not a conscious decision and is not reflected in the subject of the art but rather in the style of the art.
As an artist's individual relationship with society is reflected in the style of his art, entire schools of artistic style can be seen to correlate to the cultures from which they come.

Fischer compares egalitarian societies, where people are thought of as being equal and the individual is valued, to hierarchical societies, where social order and rule structures are important.  He provides a list of four hypotheses relating artistic style to these two contrasting forms of society and provides data to support these theories. 
He also believes that complexity of design can be associated with societies that are hierarchical.
The past two hundred years have been a time of extreme technological growth.  The ability of people to make products, and communicate has increased greatly.  Our increased efficiency however has led to increased complexity in our lives.
Perhaps this rise in social complexity is reflected in our art.  Could this be responsible for the recent embrace of complex fractal patterns in art?

\subsection{Art as a Reflection of the Mind}
Many psychologists believe that art is a reflection of the inner make-up of the artist.  It reflects the desires, fantasies and wishes of the artist, and is an expression of the unconscious mind.  Analysis of this expression can lead to a deeper understanding of the individual.

The famous psychotherapist, Carl G. Jung, was one of the primary researchers in the field of psychoanalysis.  It was his belief that works of art which were created as part of psychotherapy could be used as a tool in the diagnosis and treatment of various forms of psychosis.

The principal method of using artistic expression in the treatment of mental illness is the technique of active imagination.
Figures \ref{fig:jungp1} through \ref{fig:jungp24} show paintings by one 
of Jung's patients over the course of her ten-year treatment.  The paintings represent her progress, showing the growing unity of conscious and unconscious mind.
The idea behind active imagination is that the subject allows himself to enter an altered state of consciousness.  In this state the ego (reasoning, choice-making part of the mind) becomes more receptive to unconscious thoughts. This altered mental state is similar to light hypnosis or meditation.  
It is important to note, however, that it is not the same as guided imagery where the practitioner is lead by external stimuli or a particular pre-chosen image on which to focus.  In active imagination it is important that the patient experiences only inner images and that external images do not become the focus of introspection.

Once in this state the practitioner simply allows the images and thoughts to come out.  Irrational thoughts may occur and perception of time and space may change.  This is because the ego is allowing the unconscious mind to have more control.  The main role of the ego is as a recorder, noting the images that occur.
The next phase is for the patient to represent concretely the thoughts he experienced.  This can be accomplished through painting, sculpting, writing or any one of a number of media.

\begin{figure}
\centering
\includegraphics{jungp1}
\caption{The first painting in a series discussed by Jung, by a woman referred
to as Miss X}
\label{fig:jungp1}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}
\centering
\includegraphics{jungp2}
\caption{Picture 2 from Miss X}
\label{fig:jungp2}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}
\centering
\includegraphics{jungp15}
\caption{Picture 15 from Miss X}
\label{fig:jungp15}
\end{figure}

\begin{figure}
\centering
\includegraphics{jungp24}
\caption{Final image presented by Jung from Miss X (picture 24)}
\label{fig:jungp24}
\end{figure}

To complete the process, the ego observes the result, reacts, and draws conclusions.  These conclusions can then be taken advantage of in life, leading to self-improvement.

\subsection{Motivation for Art}
Throughout history, art has been created for a number of reasons.  Two of the most ancient of these motivations appear to be record-keeping and worship.  Almost every ancient culture has art that is believed to be religious in nature.  The ancient Romans and Greeks made statues and built large temples to honor their gods.  The Egyptians built pyramids for their kings who were believed to be gods.  From Christianity to tribal religions of Native Americans, art was created for the purpose of worship.  Artists have also created art for entertainment and pure aesthetic value. Today, pop music and television provide many of us with the well deserved distraction that we crave after a hard day at the office. Other art and music is created simply for its own sake. Sometimes a painting is just a painting and can be appreciated as such.

Yet another motivation for art is the realization of social goals.  Patriotic songs are crafted to give us a sense of unity with our neighbors and to cause us to put faith in our government.  Artistic propaganda was used during the cold war to convince people of the evils of communism.  Jonathan Swift wrote to criticize society.  In Gulliver's Travels he pokes fun at politicians and the upper class of the day.  Upton Sinclair used art as a means of changing society.  His book, ``The Jungle'' showcases the working conditions in a Chicago meat processing plant around 1900. His book caused many people to stop consuming meat, and led to the eventual improvement of working conditions. 



