Does art have boundaries? Well, I feel that art is actually a tool for being in a state of liberation. It is fluid and seeps into every argument. It tends not to limit itself ideally. The limitation arises out of the norms and values that shape different societies. Not to mention perception.
One of the revelations which I came face to face within Stockholm was “Stockholm Syndrome” The mere mention of the term reminded me of violent endings. Violent endings pertaining to the syndrome portrayed in movies like “Highway” and “The World is Not Enough”.
However out here in Stockholm, Jan-Erik Olsson the history-sheeter who led to the inception of this term walks a free man. None of his hostages were killed either. The ending was relatively better. So the way Stockholm Syndrome will be perceived in Stockholm vis-à-vis the rest of the world, there will be a difference.
With art too the story is similar. Our reactions to artwork are not always based on what is depicted, it is also on what we have learned previously. Hence individual reactions are different, and this, in turn, defines the boundary of art for subsequent generations.
An artist is aware of the society he/she is a part of. Ideally, acceptance and co-existence are the keywords for him/her. Instead of picking an opinion, the artist tends to critically examine both sides of the coin to arrive at a unique opinion. This uniqueness is depicted in his/her art piece. However, the uniqueness may or may not go well depending on the geography and the culture he/she is a part of.
When we see the Ajanta and Ellora or the Konark Temple we realize our ancient progenies were open to the idea of nude sculptures. Nudity in art was not shamed. However, after repeated colonialization, not all were the same. People were confined to “ghoonghat” and “burkha”.
Like I said earlier the fluidity of art is such that it seeps into all the aspects of life. Similarly, all the aspects of life flow back to it, to forge its acceptance and define its boundaries. A vast ocean flows on its own accord. But man-made dams redefine the path it adheres to. Akin to the ocean, art tends not to confine itself. However, the norms, values, culture acts as a dam which helps it to self-govern itself.