Art, Not Power
Thought I’d share this article (click here), because I’ve always been fascinated by Tolkien’s view on Art. Please post if you have any thoughts at all, would love to hear your views on this.
Here’s a summary:
Tolkien refines “Art” into two categories:
- When we create in harmony with God’s creation, we create Art
- When we create for our own purposes, we create Power (aka Magic or fallen/corrupted Art)
What’s the difference?
In Tolkien’s view, Art reflects a sliver of God’s primary divine creation. Our secondary creative acts work like lenses to see the original Goodness, Truth, and Beauty in the divine creation more clearly. In Tolkien’s books, his Elves do this literally by creating 3 jewels that capture the divine light from the beginning of creation.
In contrast, when our secondary creations reflect our wills and not God’s, this is Power. The chief aim of Power is to use our creative urges to dominate others. For example, When oratory skills are turned into propaganda, or when graphic arts are used to promote a selfish agenda. Tolkien also refers to Power as Magic, and anyone who creates in this way as a “mere Magician” (in contrast to an Artist). For Tolkien the modern incarnation of Power/Magic is technology, and it’s off spring “progress”.
September 26th, 2006 at 10:49 am
Very interesting… I will reveal myself here as a total dork, but I think it is also interesting how the two concepts overlap to a certain extent in Tolkien’s mythology. For example, Feanor created the Silmarils as art, and they were beautiful, but as they were used to pursue power they became curses and idols. Thus even “Art” created for good purposes can be corrupted? Maybe a real life example would be Wagner’s compositions used as Nazi propoganda? Alternatively, the Rings of Power, held by Elrond, Galadriel, and Gandalf were Art, created and used for good purposes; but they were still extremely powerful. Galadriel kept Lothlorien beautiful, and Elrond held Rivendell by their power. However, all three of the keepers of those rings were willing to relinquish that power when the time came, so perhaps that was what protected the rings from descending to the level of fallen art, following the “will” of Illuvatar and the Valar regarding the use of that great power?
September 27th, 2006 at 12:34 am
>> Thus even “Art” created for good purposes can be corrupted?
In Tolkien’s story, the Silmarils were never corrupted. The corruption occurred in the hearts of those who wished to possess the holy jewels.
Though your question brings up an interesting question, if Art can fall, can it also be redeemed? I do not think it can do either. The fall and redemption always occurs in our hearts not in the things themselves. But, I do believe that the things we create reflect what is in our hearts. Thus Tolkien’s distinction between Art and Power. When our hearts create something with the purpose of including and sharing, we create Art. When our hearts create with the purpose of dominating other wills, we create a Power which we can wield against others.
The rings in Tolkien’s stories are fanciful flights of imagination, but can be applied to the talents and skills we have been given as Artists. Each of our gifts is a ring of power created by God. These gifts are inherently good. But if our hearts are corrupted, we will created corrupted things.
In Tolkien’s stories, we can see the difference in a comparison between the Elven rings and the One Ring. The Elven rings were created to heal, enhance, and preserve. The One Ring was created to dominate the other rings.
In the modern world, we can see the real world applications in different forms of art. For example, Photography can be used to enhance or degrade a woman’s image. Normal everyday discussions revolve around judging the work art as good or bad, but I think as Christians we have to ask where is that person’s heart who created this “art”? That’s the real source of the goodness and corruption when judging art.
September 27th, 2006 at 12:37 am
And Libby I’m envious of your Art since it lends itself so easily to sharing and healing!
June 18th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
so if we agree that it’s the users that are corrupted not the object itself ie feanor and the silmarils, then can anything be art or power independent of a creator/user?