Arts and Culture of present and past
...arts and culture give us a direct link to the past. Consider the religious writings of the Bible, the Koran, and those of Confucius, as well as the works related to Buddhism, Hinduism, and other religions. Although they are written hundreds even thousands of years ago, they are directly relavent to the people's behaviors today. Moreover, artworks related to these religions also have a profound effect. Consider Michelangelo's works in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican, the numerous Buddhist statues throughout Asia, and the vast myriad of the acient Muslim Mosques over the Middle East and Central Asia. Hence, it is difficult to argue that present culture has a more deeply relationship with people than past arts and culture does. At times to determine the very difference between present culture and the past one is rather difficult. For example, the classic works of Shakespeare have been continously adapted into movies, which often become the bit hits with people in general. Every year there are millions of people visiting museums over the world to appreciate the classic artworks of acient times. Reading of religious texts has never fail to be a vogue for a large part of people.The clashes between centuries-old cultures and religions, such as that of Western countries and Islamic extremist and that of Hindus and Moslims in india, demonstrate that the so called past culture is still a part of present culture to a large extent. Admittedly the influences of past culture should not be ignored, but present culture has a great impact on a larg...