Art and Economy – Adversaries of Complements? ****************************************************************************************** * Art and Economy – Adversaries of Complements? ****************************************************************************************** In the northeast corner of Hyde Park in London, is a compelling little place known as ‘Spe It is tradition that in Speaker’s Corner, any person can decide to stand up and orate free on any topic they wish. If we were to go there now, we would likely find someone doing jus Now let’s say I were to take you there. Let’s say I were to take you there now, plonk you overturned crate and demand you orate to the crowd. Specifically on the topic of ‘European Heritage.’ Please, no dithering. What would you say? What could you say? How would you begin, or for that matter continue, I would certainly struggle. I would dither. This is exactly one of Chris Herdel’s main concerns. (Not the dithering, the lack of knowl began his free lecture ‘Art and Economy – Adversaries of Complements?’ on the 3rd of Novem Hollar Building of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University, by voicing this con certainly not lacking in knowledge in this field. He often gives free lectures to educate history, is an active painter and photographer himself, and is a spokesman for ALE – Art L particular talk tied together ideas of art investment and economic growth, an unusual pers perhaps partly influenced by his engineering and architectural background.

I can only celebrate his undeterred enthusiasm, and wi in his campaigning with ALE.

Knowledge of our European art history is be is often no longer taught in schools, and many of us are fairly clueless, maybe even - sho indifferent to it. But why does that matter? As Herdel zealously explained, it matters bec part of how we got here. Culturally speaking. It reflects society’s evolution of culture, philosophies. It gives us insights into social history that other sources often cannot. Ev interested in history - the iconography is all around us. It is encoded and re-encoded aga advertising, graphic design, modern art and fashion. It is current, because it is part of defines us, in part. In the more eloquent words of Marcus Garvey, ‘a people without the kn past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.’ Not only is Chris Herdel’s passion on this topic focused on the understanding of history a through art, but also its affect on our modern day lives. Once commonplace for artists to to create exquisitely delicate paintings to incorporate into architecture, or a symbolic a statue in a town centre, this is more rare now. Herdel believes that the values which surr public investment in art, are important for our well-being - both personal and economic. O level, consider the social impact that more public artworks could have, in terms of a comm respect for their surroundings. Plus, economically, art is an investment. Chris Herdel dre example – its intricate architecture and public artwork still bring in tourism today. It i tiny village with an enchanting church, or the ambience of an art-filled restaurant. For Chris Herdel it is important to distinguish between pictorial art, and more modern for about the abstract pieces of artwork that are most commonly commissioned in cities today; little significance to many people, and little meaning. (This part did insight a rather ri must say, with many feeling the need to defend “modern art” in all its quirky glory. Herde debate gleefully.) For Chris Herdel, using accessible art, which draws on European heritag community economies, would be a step in the right direction. It is abstract money, as the investment is not instant and difficult to qualify, but would enhance a community and incr – if indirectly.  He is fanatical about the need for redistribution of investment in our p economy, and advocates that investment in culture and art would be one of the most benefic this. I can only celebrate his undeterred enthusiasm, and wish him success in his campaigning wi talk certainly inspired an invigorating debate, and interest in a topic that isn’t often g platform.