In our modern world, focused on material achievements, art is often regarded as something nice but useless, and art-making is deemed an enjoyable but vacuous pursuit.
Nothing farther from the truth.
Humans are complex beings, constantly balancing between the rational and the emotional, and art is the way in which we express our passions, thoughts, and emotions.
For, while science is an expression of the rational human mind, art is an expression of the human soul.
In one unforgettable scene in Peter Weir’s “Dead Poets’ Society”, Professor Keating explains to his students: “We read a write poetry because we’re members of the human race, and the human race is filled with passion; and medicine, law, business, engineering - these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love - those are why we stay alive for.”
We could replace ‘read and write poetry’ for ‘create art’ and its meaning would remain the same, encompassing the reason for all artistic creation.
For millennia, art has provided an outlet for our ideals, hopes, beliefs.
Although many consider art as an expression of the ‘right side’ of the brain, the mechanism of artistic creation is far more complex, intermixing conceptual ideas with aesthetic and sensorial appeal.
Moreover, all art creation involves some use of science.
For instance: painters need to know about chemical compounds, pigments, and the properties of light and the materials they use, as well as the basics of geometry and composition, such as the golden mean; dancers need to know about anatomy and applied physics in order to maximize their performance and prevent injuries; musicians and singers need to know about mathematical ratios and timing, developing instant arithmetic adding and subtracting abilities in order to read and play music; sculptors need to be well acquainted with the physical and chemical qualities of the materials they work with, etc.
Engaging in artistic creation and enjoying art provide multiple benefits well beyond aesthetic pleasure. The cognitive and health benefits of engaging in artistic activities such as playing music, and dancing are well documented, and even reading works of fiction renders plenty of benefits.
In addition, all artistic activity - from drawing to dancing - enhances our motor skills, thus developing our visual and/or auditory cortex as well as the rest of the brain.
But the benefits of art enjoyment and art creation extend well beyond the physical realm, tapping into our psyche, and by extension improving the mental health of our societies.
Here we explore 17 reasons why the Arts are essential to human life.
1.- Art is an avenue for creativity
Carl Jung stated that, “From the living fountain of instinct flows everything that is creative; hence the unconscious is not merely conditioned by history but is the very source of the creative impulse (...) The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity.”
With these words, Jung manifested that humans are innate creators, and that the act of creation is intrinsic to the human being.
That explains our innate pleasure in creation, whether playing with clay, baking a cake, or creating a masterpiece.
And the best of it is that the more we create, the better we get at it.
Art provides a register of human activity through the ages.
2.- Art reflects our inner life
Since prehistoric times, humans have sought ways to express in tangible images their dearest wishes and highest hopes - huge bison to hunt, fertile women to breed, gods to bring good crops, etc.
Despite the millennia that have passed under the bridge, this trend has not changed. Even in our digital era, we still need to see our hopes and dreams reflected in tangible form and shared with others.
Art in its many forms continues to reflect our ideals, aspirations, hopes, fears. Even our modern-day celebrities represent the ideals we aspire to achieve.
No other human activity has the power of encapsulating so much universal meaning as art does.
3. -Art is a measurement of civilization
The link between art and cognitive advancement is not casual, since historically both have advanced in parallel.
In fact, when cataloguing human evolution, archeologists always look for evidences of art and culture: the artistic expressions of each group, the level of technical sophistication and refinement of their creations, the complexity of their architecture, their language development, their cosmo vision - all of these provide us with a measure of the level of advancement of any culture.
The higher the quality, refinement, and complexity of the creations of a social group, the higher will be its level of advancement and civilization.
4.- Art is a register of our history
Ever since prehistoric times, humans have created artistic pieces that record our evolving hopes, beliefs, needs, and fears. But these expressions have also recorded the events that have marked our evolution and development: from hunting expeditions and migrations to natural catastrophes, wars and dynasties, etc.
Art provides us with an immediate way to capture and express the zeitgeist of our times and leave a record of the passing of time.
This is an invaluable tool, for each era in human history can be studied and known thanks to the art created during each period, reaching out in an almost indivisible line to our earliest ancestors.
Art inspires.
5.- Art creates beauty
The most evident use of art is also often the most undervalued. And yet, who could imagine a world without art? A world without music, without pictures, films, poetry, paintings, sculptures, etc.?
For all we know, in the entire animal kingdom only humans are able to create and appreciate beauty, and this is one of the very reasons why we create art.
You may have heard about Elephants painting and Gorillas taking pictures, but we can’t be certain these are conscious acts of artistic creation. The only thing we can be sure of is how we perceive them, and the meaning that we bestow them, not that of the animal authors.
Art has always been and remains an activity exclusive to the human race, created by us for our own enjoyment.
6.- Art is a source of fun and joy
Yet another much maligned and undervalued use of art.
By saying that art is ‘fun’ many equate it to be ‘frivolous’ and ‘unworthy’. But fun and joy are indispensable to a healthy life, and this makes Art indispensable for life.
If you don’t think this is important, consider this - what do you do when you feel tired, bored or sad? And what do you do when you’re feeling joyful? Imagine if art did not exist - what would you do instead?
As the saying goes, Earth without Art is merely ‘Eh’.
7.- Art completes our understanding of the world
Our understanding of the world is global, three-dimensional, and it comprises all our senses.
As such, abstract concepts alone are not enough for us to understand or learn - we need to see, to touch, to feel, and taste in order to fully understand concepts. Art helps us make sense of the world through the visual and tactile representation of concepts and ideas, whether it is through a graphic, a model, or a sketch.
An image speaks more than a thousand words, says an old adage, and we are indeed capable of inferring complex thoughts and ideas through visual or aural images, but the reverse process -coming up with a single image from a complex concept- is much harder.
We seem to be ‘wired’ to think in shapes, colors, and feelings rather than in abstract concepts alone, and that is why art is indispensable to complete our understanding of the world.
Learning to appreciate art completes us as human beings.
8.- Art develops our sensibility
Perhaps this is one of the most overlooked qualities of art, and yet it’s probably one of its most notable benefits.
All humans are born with an innate sensitivity which can be fostered through the education of the senses. Or, as someone so aptly expressed it, ‘access our soul through our senses’.
Allowing ourselves to be captured by a magnificent painting, a masterful poem, or a sublime melody puts us in touch with our innermost feelings and emotions.
This initial sensibility can be developed into empathy, extended towards other creatures (animals, plants, fellow humans), and even poured into our own artistic creations. Hence the importance to foster artistic education from an early age.
Art is such an essential component to the human condition that, unless we learn to appreciate art and beauty in all its forms, we remain incomplete as human beings.
9.- Art inspires
Who hasn’t felt touched by a melody, felt close to tears during an emotional play, or transported by a magnificent painting? That is the power of art.
Art shows us what can be done, what we can achieve. It provides a point of reference to our dreams and aspirations, a goal to reach out to.
On a cognitive level, art can suggest ideas and emotions that had not occurred to us before.
It is well known that Albert Einstein was an avid amateur violin player, and he often played during his breaks from working on physical equations. Music playing allowed him a mental recess, and often inspired him in his calculations.
10.- Art lowers anxiety and soothes the spirit
One of the most important qualities of art is its connection to our emotions.
Art can move us, energize us, provide emotional refuge, consolation, or be a catalyst for our deepest emotions.
Back in Ancient Greece, tragedy plays sought to cause a cathartic effect on the audience, who found in them a release to their anguish, fears, and sorrows.
In the 19th century, a zoologist theory stipulated that calming music was capable of taming beasts, an effect that also seemed applicable to humans. This initial concept later encompassed other artistic expressions and gave way to the birth of
Art Therapy.
In this, art provides a window into the psyche of patients suffering from a wide range of pathologies, and allows them emotional release.
Following this same principle, coloring books for adults have become increasingly popular due to their
proven properties to lower stress and promote mindfulness.
Luckily, we don’t need to be in a session to enjoy the soothing effect of the music we love, or a picture that captures our senses.
11.- Art is a reflection of our societies
Art expressions are a direct reflection of the ideas and concepts of the society that originates it. As such, art changes according to the society and the age in which it is created.
Art reflects the ideas already present in the social fabric, often magnifying them and making them visible to the general public.
Examples of this are the Cubism and Fauvism movements, which represented in pictorial form the seismic social changes taking place at the turn of the century.
In addition, this explains why art is a defining reflection of each culture, representing its own individual characteristics and local idiosyncrasies.
12.- Art brings us closer to other lives
Due to its emotional content, which is universal to the entire human race, we can gain quick access to deep concepts through artistic expressions such as music, dance or painting.
Thanks to its power to capture and document emotions, art reminds us that we are not alone. Aside from casting an intimate eye into the life of past generations, art shows us that others have already felt the way we do, they may have lived through worse, and yet they endured to leave behind a legacy of beauty that connects with all humankind.
In addition, most artistic expressions can transcend time and space, encapsulating the moment in which they were created, thus retaining the power to transport us to other eras and locations and allowing us a window into the soul of its creators.
No other human discipline has the ability to break the barriers of time and as space as art does.
13.- Art explores topics from a different point of view
As stated before, logic alone is not enough to understand the world - we need art to complete the picture.
In addition to this, conceptual art adds layers of complexity by presenting novel points of view applied to conventional subjects, engaging our minds and senses in the process.
One example of this is Marcel Duchamp’s “Fountain”.
As shocking and provocative as this was back in 1917, it forced the audience to open their minds, consider the concept beyond the physical form, and detach from the established conventions.
All these are cognitive exercises that require a conscious effort, expanding our paradigms by using both sides of our brain.
By challenging our preconceptions and inviting us to reflect upon issues from a different point of view, conceptual art invites us to explore and widen our view of the world, engaging our mind and our senses unlike any other discipline.
14.- Art pushes the envelope
Art interprets the world in novel and original ways which inspire us and spark our imagination.
More than any other human activity, art is always looking ahead, forecasting the future while remaining a reflection of our present.
Some posit that the art that doesn’t challenge our perceptions and preconceptions is not ‘real’ art. This is interpreted by many as a permission to make shocking installations and to create works that make its public uncomfortable.
While this interpretation is debatable, the truth is that art allows us to see the world beyond regular conventions, allowing us to experiment more freely through our senses, connecting mind, senses, and soul, an exercise that often results in a greater understanding of the world as a whole.
15.- Art contributes to our mental health
As entertainment and as a source of escapism art presents obvious benefits, but also as a means of self-expression and, when engaging in a collective creation process, as a motive to dialogue and approach towards others, whether as part of the creative creation or its enjoyment.
Moreover, new research has found that
engaging in artistic creation activates reward pathways in the brain, reduces stress, lowers anxiety levels, and improves your overall mood.
16.- Art allows us the freedom to express ourselves
As anyone who has been a child with crayons and brushes knows, art is the ultimate tool for self-expression.
However, in order to achieve the most benefits, the creative process should be carried out with as few constraints as possible, in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
These conditions are essential, not only to allow creativity and self-expression to flow naturally and reach its potential, but also to differentiate the artistic creation from recreational activities, such as sports or gardening.
17.- Art is integral to our education
The arts and arts education in schools have been recognized as essential to our full development, and recently it has been incorporated into the STEM scheme to form STEAM, a more comprehensive educational range encompassing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, thus covering the fundamental bases of human action.
This integration not only allows children to access a more balanced education, but also provides them with a new avenue for discovery and self-expression.
In addition, children who may not excel in science or sports have the opportunity to achieve success and reinforce their self-esteem through the arts.
These are only a few of the many benefits and
skills that children learn thanks to arts education.
Moreover, the range of artistic expressions is so wide and varied that it’s hard not to have at least a little talent for one of its many expressions: drawing, painting, singing, music playing, composing, dancing, acting, fiction and poetry writing, photography, video making, design, sewing, knitting, origami...even cooking can be considered an art when it’s an expression of creativity.
But in order to reap the most benefits from art classes, it is indispensable that these projects are carried out in a controlled and supportive environment under the supervision of a trained professional, who may guide the students towards the achievement of specific goals. Otherwise, the benefits of these art sessions will be meager, and may not live up to the expectations.
We create art in celebration of everything that makes us human. Therefore, a life without art lacks balance.
Art is an outlet for our dreams, our problems, our imagination.
Art nourishes our soul, and given its deep influence over our emotions, it can be used as a powerful tool.
Art can make us feel alive, lift our spirits, and inspire us to bring out the best in us - or it can cause the opposite effect.
Just as we are selective with the food we eat, we should also be mindful of what we let into our minds, trying to select positive art and constructive entertainment that may feed, not smother, our sensitivity.
Related Articles
Dance to Your Health
The Power of Music on Your Brain
Benefits of Reading
Comments
Post a Comment