German Cin in Context

The film ‘Degenerate Art’ examines the classic discussion of art’s relationship to humanity such as in what manner is art reflected in life or that life is reflected in art. The film also offers meaningful insight into the mentality of European

‘degenerate’ artists and the contrary mentality of the Nazi regime.

The ‘degenerate’ artists’ work seemingly was inspired, originated from an inner source of being that acknowledged and expounded on the human pool of emotions. It appears that these European artists were complimenting their philosophical traditions which are earmarked by the investigation into reason/logic with no other less important but maybe neglected investigations into the exploration of the human pool of feelings and how feelings relate to the observations of the heart rather than the mind. More so, their art begs the question as to how much of their expression originated from an internalization of the external world or from a purely virgin human source untouched by the external conditions that surrounded them.

On the other hand, the film portrays Hitler as a novice artist who was rejected by his contemporaries and in return he, Hitler, rejected these artists in a wholesale, degenerate fashion. Interestingly enough, neither camp necessarily understood this newer art form in totality but the two camps’ reaction to it was different. The ‘degenerate’ camp willingly explored while Hitler ran from it and eventually destroyed what he did not understand; that which intimidated his intellect. Hitler’s success in manipulating a nation to submission under his yoke reveals a highly developed one sided intellect which was without emotional or social maturity.

Hitler’s action against the ‘degenerate’ artists gives utterance to his hidden lust to have his own misunderstood emotions of rage, confusion to be vindicated on a grand scale. Eventually, Hitler a failed artist, an average soldier, exploits the vulnerable German populace and makes them his personal canvass. Hitler’s goes about the task of redefining the German heart, spirit, culture and people as the most regal art project of a lifetime to permanently leave his irreprehensible mark on the German landscape as a wild pig of the natural world leaves its mark in the mud.