As a teenager, I had bought a poster from an Ikea store. It was a black and white photograph of a French man, I had not heard of. Every time I looked at it, I discovered something new. A face I had never seen before, an expression I had not noticed. I was so fascinated by the subject of the photo that I was trying to understand and feel the emotions of the people who were in the photo. I later learned that it belonged to Robert Doisneau….
It didn't matter - for me then - who the artist was, which had died decades ago, but that he was still communicating with me ..... he put one hand on my shoulder and the other pointed to where and what to look for ... Gazing at the expressions on their faces, trying to understand their smiles, their glances ... I felt what Robert had felt.
Then I understood what art means.
Art is something we do, something we create. Art is an expression of our thoughts, emotions, intuitions, and desires, but it is even more personal than that. It’s about sharing the way we experience the world, which for many is an extension of our personality. It is the communication that cannot be faithfully portrayed by words alone. And because words alone are not enough, we must find some other vehicle to carry our intent. But the content, the theme (in visual art) is not in itself the art. Art is the way and how the content - theme - idea - thought - emotion is expressed.
Art is where we make meaning beyond language. It’s a means of communication where language is not sufficient to explain or describe its content. Art is when two or more souls share same emotions, same thoughts.
Art can cheer us up after a bad day, make us remember, or inspire us to do more in life. It can provide comfort that we are not the only ones feeling a certain way. Art provides a reflection back to us that enables us to recognize and perhaps accept our reactions, emotions, and thoughts.
PS
Have you experienced communicating with a creator.....a painter, musician, sculptor ..etc ?
How has art impacted your life ?
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