Fragment

LESSON 7 - WHY MAKING ART?`
(If there are already so many artists making art?)

“The significance of the visual arts lies in particular in its ability to remind the soul of its origin. She is able, as it were, to create an image of that origin. ”
Michelangelo, Italiaans beeldhouwer, schilder en dichter 1475-1564

If you have ever thought about why you should continue to make art, wondered about the many artists there are that made you doubt and feel uncertain, then you are not alone in this. When you are in this state it is very difficult to keep seeing the bigger picture. You may ask yourself if you can do something more useful like spend time helping people around you when the world becomes more in chaos. These are noble thoughts, and certainly beautiful, but is this why you came into the world? There are quite a few reasons why I think you should make art, here are just a few:
• Art is why you are here;
• Not making art will not save the world. It actually does the opposite because then you don’t
live what you can;
• Not making art robs the world. Not only the potential of your art, but the wholeness of you;
• Making art makes you whole (is healing) and with that you share this with the world from
a healthier position;

Art saves lives.
I believe there are children who will never become scientists or mathematicians but will solve big problems in the world because they are creative and have developed excellent critical thinking patterns. They probably do not fit into the current education system, but they have been saved by art, music, literature, dance and poetry. My heart is concerned with these children who are told that their talents and interests do not fit into today’s society.

Art warms the soul
This does not have the same effect for everyone because not everyone has the privilege to experience art. That may be because they have not been raised with art and therefore it has no place in their life at this time. Art only warms the soul of the artist and those who are privileged to experience it sufficiently. Privilege has nothing to do with income. In this case, privilege means access. When children don’t make art at school or trips to museums, they are less likely to appreciate art when they are adults.

Art encourages us to go inside
In all the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, art encourages us to slow down and go inside. When we experience art, we escape to a place of rest and reflection. We are reminded of the richness of life. We therefore need art.

Art connects us
How wonderfully ironic that art can be both a contemplative and social experience. Art unites us, but it is so different from when we cheer for a sports match. Art asks and confuses, while it also delights us.

Art connects us to the world
While art makes it easy for us to enter, it also reminds us to look beyond our own inner self. Art teaches you about the world. Art is a way to learn about history, religion, philosophy, geography, other cultures, mythology, science, revolution and much more. Art is a vehicle for experiencing the world.

Art completes our humanity
The Greek word for art is “poiesis” which means “to make”. Gioia has described this as “a way of knowing the world, separate from, but equal to, science and mathematics.” We are complicated creatures, not just analysts. We have emotions, desires and fears that cannot be explored through science and mathematics alone. Gioia explained that art is used to educate children about their feelings, not just their analytical thought processes. This becomes useful when they are adults, they can analyze situations and not just facts and figures. The arts promote individuality, freedom and self-expression, the ideals that our nation has built. Art is not a luxury, but absolutely necessary to develop our humanity. “At the same time, art focuses our minds, our senses, our emotions, our imaginations, our intuition, our memory and our physical body - not separately, but together, simultaneously, holistically.

We need artists who tell a story
If you are not already convinced about the value in continuing to make art, I have one last argument. Let’s face it: the world is not beautiful. There have been devastating wars, brutal treatment for our brothers and sisters, and devastating natural disasters. Over the centuries, artists have shed light on inequality and injustice, even if they seemed intolerable to view. Francisco Goya painted the execution of the Spanish patriots rebellion against Napoleon’s army; Picasso painted the horrific aftermath of the Spanish Nationalists’ bombing of a Basque village; and the Maya artists have depicted sacrificed prisoners. We must teach people to communicate through the universal language of art to tell the story of our time. We need more people who are committed to beauty and peace. That is your goal. That is why you want to become or have become an artist with the curiosity and talent that belongs to an artist. It would be tragic if you didn’t use these talents. ×