Art, Identity, Connection

                 It’s easy to forget about ourselves in the world. We think of ourselves only in regard to our ‘usefulness’, and we measure that by employment, efficiency, functionality; put simply, means of generating money. This does not define us as thoroughly as we often believe, and it leaves a part of our being starving. As sentient, unique creatures, we have a need for expression, as it is inseparably a piece of our identity. Expressing ourselves whether it is in the creation or partaking of art therefore reconnects us to that part of ourselves, and such allows us to perform better even according to the rigid ‘usefulness’ that rules society today.

                Art. Creative expression. Ideas, beliefs, emotions given tangible form in a manner that allows them to be shared with others. Art can be a record, keeping track of what has happened in the past, what is happening now, and recording what may occur in the future. Art is interpretation, giving shape to the shapeless, and space to the unknown— defining, at least in part, that which is difficult to understand. Art is a form of connection, connecting us to ourselves and to others, bringing people and communities together, and linking us through time, joining us with our past, our roots. It connects us to the realities of others as well, depicting the situations of those we may not know, or may not understand as well as we think we do. In effect, art gives voice where perhaps otherwise, one would have no voice at all.

                Using colors, motions, emotions, situations, words, worlds both natural and unnatural, art allows us to display feelings and even evoke feelings in others- to inspire thought and change. It reveals thoughts that might not naturally occur to the observer, the listener, but may be commonplace for the creator, the performer. In a sense, art can serve as a translation, giving the connector and the connected a common tongue through which to communicate things spoken and non. This is perhaps the most beautiful thing about art- it takes on so many forms, intentionally and otherwise, communicates so many messages, intentionally or otherwise, and through these, connects people with others, sometimes others they did not expect to identify with or relate to. Art takes advantage of perception, our individual, flawed, and limited perspectives of this world we share, and therefore infinitely adapts itself to convey meanings and messages the creator may not have even visualized themselves.

                This ability to convey messages allows for enlightenment. Speaking specifically of the messages unseen, the creator, in connecting with themselves, may realize something about themselves that they never knew, some unconscious part of them. Likewise, in conveying these hidden messages to others, a creator may inspire something in their audience that provides feedback. This is connection. Connection allows us the opportunity to understand each other, to learn and to grow, to work together and pursue peace and happiness. Art, by triggering feelings we all have access to, may help us to see, at least in part, the realities of others, and compare that to our own; likewise, it may do the same for these others- and in doing so, perhaps allow us some middle ground.

                For individuals, art may provide a release of pent up feelings, an escape from things that might otherwise overwhelm. It may foster a sense of identity and personal understanding, allow one to realize their talents and relax.

                For groups, art can help to define a culture, a history, and important lessons- what is done and why it is done, what it represents for the group, the tribe, the village as a whole. It allows them to explore and understand both their similarities and their differences through the way individual techniques are personalized- the same strategies, modified differently by different members of the same tribe in order to display a uniqueness without separation or judgment(ideally). If a group can realize such among themselves, then perhaps they can do the same with other groups, who perform their own art, traditions, culture, and yet hold similarities somewhere.

                Like I’ve said, it’s easy to forget the importance of art, for it is seen through the eyes of profit- but the truth is it helps us grow in all ways, and for that, it is priceless. Art teaches us creation and connection, and it is through these that we move forward.