Art has a great value. It is a free expression. Of nothing specific, but free.
Artists explore themselves, society, technology, the environment. Art innovates, creates idols and fears.
They have a very big potential power. But i think that art is strongest when it doesn’t intentionally use it.
Artists that act with activism in mind, with politics, with education and culture are admirable, but the fact that we “need” to identify them with someone “with culture” makes us loose focus. As an example, Picasso was an incredible communicator and a really sensible person: his value is not in his political expressions (such as Guernica), but in the incredible way in which he explored so many art forms, estblishing landmarks on each one of them, evolving concepts and creating totally new ones. Artists should feel free and compelled to explore and suggest.