Q8 – Art is a lie that brings us nearer to the truth (Pablo Picasso). Evaluate this claim in relation to a specific art form (for example, visual arts, literature, theatre). Visual art is one of the common ways to portray one s feelings and thoughts whether they are true or lies. There are certain feelings that we cannot write in words. Therefore visual art, especially paintings have been one of the widely used form of representing elements of truth for centuries. Whether a painting is abstract or realistic, is, and will remain, a tool to express emotions. Pablo Picasso is referring that art is a visual exaggeration of reality therefore it enables people to see the world in a better way.

True art always tries to express the truth, whether it is a model, emotional truth, action of an object or memories. When people see an art work, we will interpret it to mean something differently due to our biased perception and fallacious reasoning. Art is not a lie in the sense that to the eyes in terms of one of WOKs, sense perception however is a representation of the truth that cannot be expressed visually nor has no visual form of one s ideas and thoughts. I believe art is a way of showing us visual and superficial form of a deeper implication.

For example the famous drawing of a pipe called Ceci n est pas une pipe , on the painting it says This is not a pipe . Is this a lie or not? It may be a lie because a real pipe does not exist. However, what the artist is trying to show from the painting is maybe true because the artist is showing that because it is a painting, the pipe is not real. The meaning of the painting is true as it is impossible to use the pipe from the real life. However, this painting of a pipe may help viewers to look at the object in a new way. It does not matter how similar a painting of art may portray reality, it is still not true. It depends on the viewers to connect it to truth in their life. A lie in art may bring us closer to truth if a lie is used to find meanings.

I believe the point of art is in impression and sympathy therefore in this way, art may be is a lie but depends on how we perceive even though the work itself cannot be truth but (if we get impressed and sympathised, the meaning is true. I believe Art cannot be real without any meanings, painting itself can physically exist as it is a manipulation of the world by humans however, the way it touches our emotions and the feelings that are expressed in a painting are true. It brings out a certain meaning or truth about the real subject. For example, when you look at people we tend to assume what they are like, however when we get to know them, the truth shines trough. Also horror movies, they are not real, then why people watch horror movies? Even though we do not believe them to be true but we get scared and how we feel when watching the movie is true. Like Picasso s quote even thought what we see is a lie, what we learn and what we interpret things to be are true. At least for each individual the opinions of a lie are true as knowing a lie brings untrue feelings. Therefore in this case, a lie points towards the truth.

Some may say to find truth, it is better to look for truth. However, art is a form of communicating with others, which is not only shown to one person. Therefore it needs contain something that everyone can sympathise which means artists show visual exaggerated models to reaffirm their thoughts. Also sometimes it is easier and clear to look for opposite things to prove the truth. Therefore you logically acknowledge the truth from this process. Another example would be, when we hear someone saying a metaphor she is an angel , we do not believe that she is a real angel; therefore it is in a realistic way, a lie. However if it is indirectly understood, we get to know the meaning. Some people may say that having some set models for an object or idea may limit our imagination about the object. However in this case due to our biased perception, we interpret the meaning from our individual experiences, when a painting is studied deeply then we can see the true meaning of what the artist is trying to portray in the painting. Many times it is telling a different story, even for different people than which we first interpreted it to be.

Representations help because the world (specifically, thoughts) is incomprehensible, and simplifying its aspects is needed to give the artist s knowledge of the world to people. Lie in art is necessary to reduce it to something we can grasp and understand and therefore gain knowledge, even simple ideas or meanings. It would be very hard to understand one s unorganised thought. Therefore from our complex mind, artists select to show only what they want to express.

Picasso was a complex and fascinating principal figure in the Impressionist movement. Also his contemporaries were equally enigmatic and mysterious. As he gets older, his art changed to reflect more about his personal life and changes in the art world.1 why would Picasso say this? This is assumed that as his paintings are mostly abstract, the way his paintings are presented is not realistic. However, the meanings and what he tried to express in them are true. Of course without any explanations, hints or historical background we do may not know the meaning because they are presented what we call in a real way. Other artists who believe in the same way, they would have their own style of expressing their thoughts and no one can distinguish what is to be true and a lie.

From these reasons it can easily be understood as art is true. If art is lie than it should hide facts and truth away by its definition2, however it does not. This paradox may mean that it is hard to say that art is true but it brings nearer to the truth but not in a physically. Innovative artists are the people whom we think could come nearest to the truth. Plus, that is leavened with unrealistic techniques and creativity. I believe that is why many people get impressed by their work. If an artist is feeling a certain way about something instead of writing down his feelings, he will create his own world and story in a piece to express him. A piece of art is done for others to think about a subject in a deeper way. It is done from insider s view as it allows the viewer to think and view it differently. To view it from the creators mind, viewers can realise something different from same subject and in some way, artists succeed their attempt.