Earth and Art

This quote came from the internet a few days ago:

            “The Earth without ‘art’ is just eh!”

I have to thank Rocky for spotting this for me. It makes me think twice because Rocky is an artist. A ceramic artist. Not because he says so but because others say so.

Art. Creative activity. By human beings. Intentional acts representing something of meaning. A statement in a form other than actual words. Unless of course, those words are literature and all the art forms related to it!

I see art as the means of a person speaking to the world outside himself, expressing an idea that can only be stated in that one special manner or moment. What does the Mona Lisa say to you, to others? What was Leonardo da Vinci saying to the world outside his mind? How many answers to that question do you suppose others will provide? Probably as many as the number of people offering an answer!

From the Internet comes this definition of art: “The expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.”

From this same source comes a second definition: “The various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance.”

That’s more accurate. More genres of artistic endeavor included. All expressing in different manners the inner thoughts of a person.

There are those who think art is bunk. They do not recognize the value of art as an area of study or creative pursuit. I think they feel this way because they simply haven’t thought much about art. They probably don’t feel especially creative themselves so don’t think much about it. But here are some things they probably do think about:

            -color of their car; the selection of that color that feels right for that specific car

            -the style of the car that suits their sense of ‘right’ when they buy the car

            -the pattern of the fabric on the sofa they sit on

            -the music they listen to while driving to work or on errands

            -the music they choose to listen to while relaxing at home

            -the TV programs they watch with avid interest at home

           

What they might not think about is the act of art in shaping their new car – the proportion, design, shape of fenders and glass, the ‘look’ of the front and rear designs of the car; you see where this is going.

And what about the package of art that embraces the presentation of the TV program? The musical themes running throughout the program, the color of the sets, and the design of those same sets, and the script followed by the performers or announcers on the program? The lighting and special effects employed throughout the program that enhances the overall viewing experience for the audience?

All of these things are art. Each and every one of them.  They shape our perceptions. They give comfort or shock or heightened meaning to the experience of encountering the arted object – whether an automobile, a toaster, a camera, a workbench, tool or kitchen utensil. Or the overall impact of the TV show we spoke of earlier.

The absence of art might be instructive. How bland the world would be. No plays or TV dramas, no scripts or novels, no magazines or newspapers. Shapes of useful items would be functional only, no thought to beauty or the pleasure of the eye.

With no art the planet would be just “eh”. Blah. Boring. Probably ugly.

E A R T H.  Will it be spelled fully? Or just with the E and the H?

If we don’t keep art education in our schools, or art appreciation in our lives, how drab our existence will be.  And how dull our minds will become.

Will you let this happen to our schools and our kids and grand kids?

September 16, 2013