Hi!
Last weekend I took some time to watch the film Everything Everywhere All at Once (which I highly recommend), and it got me thinking about what art is and the positive role it can have in our lives if we let it.
If this sounds interesting, keep reading, it’s great to have you here! 😊
Defining Art… but not really.
Turns out that defining art is a challenging and controversial endeavor, that has been tackled by countless thinkers over the years.
Some of the definitions people have come up with over the years consider art to be an aesthetic expression that satisfies our senses, works that manage to convey an emotion to us, an imitation of the world that allows us to understand it better, and so much more, but it seems that in the end, no one has succeeded in this quest.
It has even been debated whether it is even possible to come up with an accurate definition for art, without it being overly restrictive.
In this post, I won’t claim to have created or found the perfect definition, my objective is only to explore a few perspectives on the topic that seem interesting and may spark some thoughtful reflection within us.
I think that it is worth noting that on some level we have an intuitive understanding of what is art, we know it when we see it, right? When we see a painting in a museum or art gallery, that’s art; when we listen to music, watch a film, or read a poem we think of these as art.
But what happens when art breaks from that mold and takes a form that we don’t consider to be art? (a great example of this is Fountain by Marcel Duchamp)
Well, they offer an excellent opportunity for us to call into question what we think of as art.
The Benefits of Art
Even though sometimes we may consider art to be irrelevant or useless, I want to argue that art can be one of the best ways to make our lives more enjoyable.
For starters, it had, and still has, a vital role in the evolutionary history of humanity. Works of art served as vehicles for our cultures, transporting traditions and beliefs from one generation to the next and driving humans together into whole societies, and thus, helping us survive.
Another particular ability of art is its capacity to open up new possibilities for us by shifting the way we see the world and making us attentive to things that we’d normally not be aware of. Whether we are talking about political and social issues or important aspects of human existence like love or death, we can always find a novel, song, film, painting, or any form of artwork that sheds some light on these topics and helps us navigate through them better.
Art allows us to learn, communicate, and reflect on ideas from people that are completely different from us, people who speak other languages, or even some that lived centuries before us; this way we can catch a glimpse of complex ideas or emotions from people with whom it would be impossible for us to connect with.
Tips for Appreciating Art
Here are some tips that I think can help you have a more meaningful engagement with a piece of art.
Take your time: Whenever you are appreciating a piece of art, try not to rush through it; instead, take some time to take in all the details and reflect a little deeper on what it may convey to you.
Look up some context: Art does not exist separate from the rest of the world, it is tightly interwoven with the historical context in which it is created and the feelings of the artist who produces it; so, understanding these circumstances can help you catch some of the subtle nuances of the artwork.
Share and discuss with others: This will help you see new perspectives and articulate your thoughts or feelings about an artwork better.
Be open to new styles: Immersing yourself in unfamiliar artistic styles can be a great way to find some new ideas and challenge your current perspective of the world around you.
In a world where art defies precise definition, its importance remains undeniable. Art captivates our senses, transcends boundaries, and enriches our lives in numerous ways. It is a gateway to new possibilities and deep connections that allows us to open ourselves up to a world of beauty, inspiration, and personal growth.
So I’d like to invite you to take some time to go into a piece of art and try to look at it from s different point of view, let it show you a new way to look at the world.
I hope you find these ideas interesting and helpful, thanks for reading!
-Alan
Alan I loved this read. You summed this up so beautifully. I make art for the shear joy of getting lost in my art...but then comes the icing on the cake when it resonates with a viewer.