- Sep 22, 2013
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The American comic book 'anti-hero' Magneto (Marvel Comics) is a mutant with the extraordinary ability to move metals and manipulate magnetic fields. Magneto symbolizes psychic powers as well as kinetic strength. Magneto is a terrific 'modernism-avatar,' because he represents new age anxieties regarding materials science, element transformation, industry/labor (i.e., metallurgy), and science-fiction.
Art is difficult to define, since it's so darn subjective. If an artist/creator intends for something he/she made to be art/artistic, then that work is art at least to him/her (if not to the critical audience!). Otherwise, if a person makes something that 'resembles' art but did not intend it to be art, then it might be a parody, a sarcastic sculpture/gesture, or even vandalism/graffiti.
Magneto (Marvel Comics) storytelling and imagery definitely comprise art, because we know that this modernism-avatar signifies a social perspective on 'material creativity.'
If art is meant to soothe us and/or inspire us and/or provoke us, then how can we understand Magneto's modern significance in terms of new age values?
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GOD: Why do you manipulate magnetism?
MAGNETO: Everything is 'attractive,' and I seek power!
GOD: Power must be tempered by social responsibility.
MAGNETO: Why help others when they have no clear ability to help you?
GOD: Helping the weak is the duty of the strong...
MAGNETO: Sometimes, hell is reality.
GOD: The reality of hell inspires us to celebrate the magic of heaven.
MAGNETO: I don't believe in magic.
GOD: That's unfortunate, since magic is simply innocence!
MAGNETO: I prefer war-intelligence.
GOD: There is no courage without humility.
MAGNETO: Magic will not humble me...
GOD: Consider why magnetism represents 'modern imagination.'
MAGNETO: Why should I believe in magic, when malady is real?
GOD: Medicine is magic (in a way), since it invokes 'natural confidence.'
MAGNETO: I think about cannibalism, savagery, poverty, and vanity!
GOD: Remember that creativity counters the problem of rage...
MAGNETO: Perhaps someday I will entreat my own 'artistic temperament.'
GOD: Art historians promote peace by studying creativity development.
MAGNETO: I will investigate ways to 'temper' my magnetism-values.
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Art is difficult to define, since it's so darn subjective. If an artist/creator intends for something he/she made to be art/artistic, then that work is art at least to him/her (if not to the critical audience!). Otherwise, if a person makes something that 'resembles' art but did not intend it to be art, then it might be a parody, a sarcastic sculpture/gesture, or even vandalism/graffiti.
Magneto (Marvel Comics) storytelling and imagery definitely comprise art, because we know that this modernism-avatar signifies a social perspective on 'material creativity.'
If art is meant to soothe us and/or inspire us and/or provoke us, then how can we understand Magneto's modern significance in terms of new age values?
====
GOD: Why do you manipulate magnetism?
MAGNETO: Everything is 'attractive,' and I seek power!
GOD: Power must be tempered by social responsibility.
MAGNETO: Why help others when they have no clear ability to help you?
GOD: Helping the weak is the duty of the strong...
MAGNETO: Sometimes, hell is reality.
GOD: The reality of hell inspires us to celebrate the magic of heaven.
MAGNETO: I don't believe in magic.
GOD: That's unfortunate, since magic is simply innocence!
MAGNETO: I prefer war-intelligence.
GOD: There is no courage without humility.
MAGNETO: Magic will not humble me...
GOD: Consider why magnetism represents 'modern imagination.'
MAGNETO: Why should I believe in magic, when malady is real?
GOD: Medicine is magic (in a way), since it invokes 'natural confidence.'
MAGNETO: I think about cannibalism, savagery, poverty, and vanity!
GOD: Remember that creativity counters the problem of rage...
MAGNETO: Perhaps someday I will entreat my own 'artistic temperament.'
GOD: Art historians promote peace by studying creativity development.
MAGNETO: I will investigate ways to 'temper' my magnetism-values.
====
