Dive into the vibrant pulse of Western visual art in Episode 5 of True Grit Art Gab!, "Art Comes Alive." In this episode we attempt to track the dynamic interplay between expressive and mimetic poles in Western art from prehistoric caves to 2025’s contemporary scene. The expressive track—infusing art with emotional, subjective vitality—brings paintings and sculptures to life, from Lascaux’s ritualistic animals to Banksy’s poignant murals. The mimetic track grounds these visions in realistic representation, creating a timeless push and pull that animates art’s history. Philosophical insights from Plato, Descartes, Kant, and others illuminate this dichotomy, revealing how art bridges inner experience and external truth. Key anecdotes, including the Nazis’ rejection of Expressionism’s vitality, underscore the expressive track’s animating power. Join us at True Grit Art Gallery (38 Center St., Middleboro, MA) for 'New Expressions', featuring Marshfield, MA artist Robert Hofherr’s vibrant paintings, running July 12–August 9, 2025, where the expressive legacy continues to thrive. Tune in to explore how art truly comes alive! True Grit Art Gab! Is the official podcast of True Grit Art Gallery in Middleboro, MA.

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