TO FIGHT AND DIE

by: Elyza Vinluan

‘Who will make sure that the statue of David is still standing and Mona Lisa is still
smiling?’

Based on the true story, the action drama, “The Monuments Men” focused on the
unusual World War II happenings. The allied group which is composed of persons from
Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archive program were assigned to save the pieces of arts
stolen by the Nazis.

The story gives us a perspective on how to look at art as a living thing through
appreciation. Appreciation for an art is so hard to earn. If they see that it wasn’t that
realistic, colorful, or something pleasing to the eye, no one will truly care about it. Some
will, but it may be 20% only of its population. For all I know, it should not be earned. It
should be given. Just like respect. Even though it is a Non-Representational Art, it
requires appreciation. Just like what the allied group has done, they created tactics to
retrieve arts. Why? Because they appreciated it, not only because of its looks but also
because even though it is ugly, there’s a sense why it is made. Also, it can help us to
get to know about the past that will affect the present and the future.

Art is more than being creative. It represents us, our identity, and our culture. Pieces
such as The Ghent Altarpiece and Michaelangelo’s Madonna of Bruges unveil history
about religion of the Western Civilization that reflects the protection from atheism. They
want Catholicism to remain. It is carved in art what just happened in the past. It leaves
an answer to the questions that we can’t answer. The retrieval of the art in the movie
also reveals message that they want to save themselves/culture.

Saving other people’s lives is worth dying, of course. But, there’s this one question that
we should examine: is art worth dying for? It was a very hard question. But if you will
introspect, you can answer the question. Just imagine, if the painting “Spoliarium” and
“The Blood Compact” by Juan Luna were also stolen and will be burned, do you think
you will know and understand what really happened in the Spanish Era here in the
Philippines? Also, when we are searching for some photos of the past era, the photos
that will come up are photos of paintings. Not actual photos. The point is, art is the
primary source of the culture and history.

Because of art, our culture is being built that will give birth to our identity.

On the other hand, in the story of Monuments Men, Hitler understands the art’s
capability; he used it on political purposes and to overpower Europe’s culture through its
art and architecture. The Nazis were strong-willed in having and destroying the arts.
Theoretically, art is powerful, either it is a treasured possession or because it’s
threatening.

So, is art worth dying for? Definitely, because art is beneficial—it contributed a lot for us,
to save our culture. Also, everyone will die eventually. Make it significant that will
contribute to everyone’s good.

Ang mamatay ng dahil sa’yo.