Reflections on, "The Whole Ball of Wax"

"The Whole Ball of Wax," by Jerry Saltz, insists that art subtly and incrementally influences and impacts the world and the individuals in it. Saltz claims that art is equal in importance with other subject matters like science, politics, or religion, which I do not entirely agree with. I believe that art is a different concept all together; one that is not confined by a simple "subject," but rather weaves its way into all aspects of our lives. I think that art is a supplement and compliment to other subjects because of its vast, yet immersive nature. For example, you cannot enter a church without viewing some form of art, or open a textbook without viewing a digitally designed page, or turn on the television without finding digitally designed images or videos. So, while Saltz argues that art is an equal sized cog in the machine we call life, I would like to counter that it is grease that aids all the cogs: always there influencing the machine's functions to varying degrees, but often overlooked or unrecognized by the cogs.
The influence and pervasive nature of art is undeniable, and understanding it is an ever-evolving process. Art is very nonlinear and nonobjective in a very linear and objective world. It is a multifaceted instrument that has layers upon layers of meaning, which can change depending on the experiences of the observer, the artist, and the time period in which it is observed. It is fluid in its meaning and its purpose. Saltz mentions that Oscar Wilde once remarked that, "the moment you think you understand a work of art it's dead for you". I couldn't agree more. Art has different meanings for each individual, but that meaning can also change for them as individuals depending on their changed experiences and knowledge base. So, while the art does not alter, our understandings of it do.
Art is a dynamic, moving-part of society that is necessary for the sanity of everyone. It involves so much more than creating a work, and letting people look at it. Art is experiencing something spiritual, and cognitive. It can subconsciously influence our emotions, thoughts, and actions. Art surrounds us all, and is a larger part of our lives than is often realized. Art is an ever-present gift that influences all aspects of our lives and society. So, I wholeheartedly agree with Saltz that art is a necessary and inseparable component of our existence as human beings.