Quotes With Meaning
A cultured society that has fallen away from its religious traditions expects more from art than the aesthetic consciousness and the 'standpoint of art' can deliver. The Romantic desire for a new mythology... gives the artist and his task in the world the consciousness of a new consecration. He is something like a 'secular saviour' for his creations are expected to achieve on a small scale the propitiation of disaster for which an unsaved world hopes.
A cultured society that has fallen away from its religious traditions expects more from art than the aesthetic consciousness and the 'standpoint of art' can deliver. The Romantic desire for a new mythology... gives the artist and his task in the world the consciousness of a new consecration. He is something like a 'secular saviour' for his creations are expected to achieve on a small scale the propitiation of disaster for which an unsaved world hopes.
The quote highlights the tension between a society that has distanced itself from its religious roots and its expectations from art. In such a society, people often seek deeper meaning and salvation through artistic expressions, hoping that art can fill the void left by lost spiritual traditions. Gadamer argues that artists are seen as secular saviors, tasked with creating works that provide a sense of hope and meaning amid chaos. This reflects a Romantic desire for a new mythology that can guide and inspire. However, the limitations of art mean it can only offer a small-scale remedy to the larger issues of life. The expectation for art to deliver profound significance can sometimes lead to disappointment, as its role is not to replace lost religious ideals but to express the human condition. Ultimately, the quote invites reflection on how society values art and the role of the artist in a world in need of meaning.