ART IS - Timeless, Relevant, Transformative, Way of Life!
Art has the capability to influence generations, instilling values and teaching us the very intrinsic sense of self. The significance of art is well-nigh difficult to be expressed and that perhaps signifies the vastness or necessity of it. Art transcends time and has the potential to transform the society is a massive way. Since, it breaks all the barriers of language, caste, religion and gender among many others, art reminds us of the necessary values associated with not just our existence but beyond. It emphasizes the beauty of existentialism in multitude of shades and that’s why it is relevant.
Art itself is a language
The beauty of art lies in the fact that it can convey things words cannot. You do not need a language to understand art. A small painting, sculpture, or music piece without vocals can express all that words cannot.
The relationship between art and society
There has been a never ending debate since the year dot, whether art imitates life, or is it the other way around? A sculptor carves on a metal or stone what he sees in the outside world or the way his internal world sees the external one. The same goes for a painter, composer, writer, photographer, dancer or singer and the only thing that changes is the medium. The objective remains the same and that again brings us to the very first point- sense of self and expression!
Since the year one, art has longed to evoke sensitiveness by understanding and expressing various shades of human emotions and nature. Any society comprises of people of different age groups, beliefs and ethnicities. The needs and challenges of them all are different.
How can art benefit the elderly?
Getting old is inevitable, but it can turn out to be a bitter truth for many. Especially for those who live in old age homes. With time passage the elderly lose the ability to express their emotions and engage in activities they once passionately enjoyed.
Art can turn out to be therapeutic as art is considered a great therapy. By getting engaged into creative activities such as painting, molding, crafting, singing, photography etc, their deep-seated emotions which were bottled up, find an orifice which works wonders for their emotional, mental and physical health.
What Corona Lockdown Phase Taught Us as a Society?
A recent example on the list is the lockdown due to Corona, the deadliest and contagious disease to have happened in the history of mankind. The lockdown phase left many in depression, wondering what to do when they cannot meet their loved ones, friends, relatives, and in some cases their immediate family too. The phase can also be seen as a reminder to all of us what we left behind in the chaos of routine competitive and stressed out life. All that what we forgot and never realized including nature, gratitude towards nature as well as our near and dear ones, spending time with family and understanding their emotions to the core.
It also gave us an opportunity to get indulged in artistic activities which took a back-seat. Not just making art yourself, but appreciating art as well. We forgot it all! This phase brought to us an opportunity to paint, photograph, sing and dance in our own space. Art is a great depression buster and this phase has taught us the value of art in ways more than one.
The very perception of society changed and the phase taught us to see the entire world as “ONE SOCIETY”. Artists across the globe made the most of this time and expressed what they felt through different art forms.
An Indian sand artist named Manas Sahoo who is based in Puri, made a great sand art by a beach that reads “Consciousness can conquer Corona virus.”
A Chinese artist named He Kun created a painting called “Save the Child”. The painting showed an old aged man carrying an ill child on his back. The painting perfectly depicted the immense impact of the virus on families. The artist expressed his pain by writing, “There were happy families, but Corona virus destroyed them.”
Art Promotes Healing
Mankind has seen several disasters since year dot and has been able to overcome the biggest of problems through art. Psychologists suggest that awe, wonder and beauty promote good and healthier levels of cytokines. Beholding art has a direct impact on our health and life-expectancy. Art has the capacity to heal. Experiencing awe facilitates a sense of hope and fulfillment which leaves a positive impact on our psychology and outlook towards life.