The Importance of Imagination in Art

Art is powerful. It speaks to us on both a personal and a cultural level. It connects every one of us in some way. Yet, what exactly is art? And why does it hold such value to us?
Art can many times be a way of "saying" something when words fall short. Art resonates deep within us - has the power to make us feel something we couldn't feel before, or see something in a totally new way.

Personally, relating back to the four theories of art I presented for my midterm, I feel like Collingwood's Expression of Emotion and the bigger picture of the Family Resemblance theories stuck out to me the most. Both of these theories have led to my own further thought on the question, "What is art?" Art is something created by humans. I think the thing that connects all art roots back into this fact. All art is connected in some way culturally because it is made by people and about aspects of the human condition - whether that be cultural or personal. When I say "cultural" and "personal", as related to the human condition, I mean that art serves to function to bring awareness. This awareness can be about a certain theory or reaction to some cultural event or about the personal expression of emotion of the artist.

"Art is about life, and it can't really be about anything else." - Damien Hirst

We are all humans. We are all connected with large similarities and small minute details - like Wittgenstein's metaphor "no fibre runs the length of a whole rope". Even though no one person can be in the exact same mental and physical state the artist experienced when making a piece of work, we are all humans.

This brings about the importance of imagination both when creating a piece of work and appreciated art. Imagination gives us the power to empathize with others. Even when we may have not experienced the same event of went through the same emotions as another person, by using our imagination we can all place ourselves in that position, and therefore empathize with the other person. This, at its core, is crucial in the connection between artist and viewer. This is why art is so valuable to us - because it is the most powerful form of connection we have.

Kandinsky (Thanks, Carolina!)

"The true work of art is born from the 'artist': a mysterious, enigmatic, and mystical creation. It detaches itself from him, it acquires an autonomous life, becomes a personality, an independent subject, animated with a spiritual breath, the living subject of a real existence of being."

This is a quote from Wassily Kandinsky which I found particularly resonating. I really enjoyed hearing about his artistic process through Carolina's presentation. The connection between music and his painting is very expressive and I really enjoy this concept. I also read further about him later (not sure if you mentioned this in your presentation or not), but I came across something that said he had almost like a certain "code" for his paintings that related back to his music. Almost like he was writing sheet music, except in an abstract way - which I guess would make sense when you think about what you said about his connection with music. For example, the color red might be Middle C, and a black circle might represent a closing. I guess this is something you could consider when doing your final - at least maybe for one of the paintings? I don't know, just a thought. :)  I'm looking forward to seeing what you make - I kinda want to try something like that myself. 

Contemporary Art (Thanks Taylor!)

"Art is about life, and it can't really be about anything else."

This is one quote by Damien Hirst from Taylor's presentation on contemporary art that really stuck with me. Art is always about some aspect of life because life is all we know as human beings. The events we go through, all the different emotions we feel, and the thoughts we have. 

I thought this topic for a presentation was great! Especially when some of us will eventually have to go up for BFA Reviews. We should be thinking about what contemporary art is, and how our own artwork relates into this. 

It's crazy to think of everything that is out there as art now. I know this subject must have been difficult to make a concise presentation out of - just from the mass amount of STUFF - but Taylor did a great job! I think it was also a great followup to my Theories of Art presentation - because in a world full of different types of "art", I think it's important to have a good concept on what YOU think is art - especially when appreciating art.  

The Lives of Others - Art is Powerful

I think what I came away with after watching the movie The Lives of Others was simply, art is powerful. Art can be a sort of universal language - a way of connecting people where words fail. Something about art appeals to the deepest part of you...resonates within you more-so than many other ways of communication.

I feel like throughout the whole movie they were trying to suppress certain creative thoughts - were obsessed with this. I thought it was interesting how even after fully submersing himself in this sort of investigation into the writer, Wiesler realized the pure beauty and importance of an individual's creative voice and therefore saved Dreyman.

Watching this made me thankful for my right to be able to express myself in the ways that I want. I love how we can each have our own unique voice - especially when expressing ourselves through our artwork.

Pretty Lights

My first thoughts when seeing these photos/realizing they're made with glow sticks were wondering about whether this hurt the environment or not. Apparently, the artists' thought about this aspect and strung together rows of glow sticks so they could collect them a little farther downstream after making the photograph. I really enjoy slow-shutter speed light photographs because they capture more than just ONE moment. It's almost like a performance contained in a photograph. There's something eerily beautiful about long exposure photographs taken in nature. Enjoy!

Backyard Spring Colors!

Oh hey there, 4-leaf clover ;) 

Abandoned

These are just some pictures from this old abandoned house (kind of behind mine by the neighborhood pool). My friend and I went over here to get some pictures for me to use for reference for my next drawing assignment. The back of the house has been torn down and there's random items from the house everywhere - which is kind of cool. Although, there's lots of graffiti everywhere and apparently whoever did it just liked to use cuss words....SO. Besides that, it was pretty cool to look around this place. 

(See...but the old Lion King stickers are cool!)