Why did you start making art?
Did you choose it? Did it choose you? Did you walk past a large painting in a museum one day, and it just hit you like a brick? Did you pass a mural, walking through the inner-city, that stopped you sublimely in your tracks? Was it one specific scene in a cartoon, anime, video game, or film that grabbed hold of your vision and imagination, and just wouldn’t let go? Did you, like me, try to emulate family or friends who could draw and paint when you were very young? Or was it just always there, just under the surface, whispering and nudging; waiting for you to let it free? We all are on this path for different reasons, however, we each share one thing as artists: the longing to connect, to communicate, to build, to share, and to create something for yourself and others.
We each have our own reasons and our own purpose for the art we create. Despite that, I would bet that many of us have also, briefly or in-depth, pondered whether Art, as a subject and way of life, has a purpose of its own. I would say that it does, actually. Let’s discuss and explore those thoughts today.
ART IS ALWAYS MEANINGFUL
So, what is this “purpose of art” exactly? To keep it simple, it has whatever purpose its creator gives to it. The artist originally “decides” the purpose of their art. But wait, that isn’t exactly true either, is it? There are countless works we’ve all come in contact with, that we’ve struck a unique connection with, regardless of the likely long-dead artist’s wishes. So what do theseinstances imply then? Scenarios like the above, which are very common considering most art is appreciated posthumously, imply that there is actually a “higher purpose” for the art we each create, one that is deep within the artist. Now I want to make note that by “higher,” I don’t mean something that is more valuable or important than what our own purposes would be for our creations. What I mean is something that initiates the art that we make, before we even realize our own aim; it comes first, not in value but in order. This higher purpose is what I believe to be purpose, or meaning, itself. Art will always have meaning, because it is meaning. This is the point of view I wish to communicate, so let’s dive deeper into a few examples explaining this paradigm.
EVERYTHING IS ENERGY
The quote within the title above is likely one that every single one of us has heard at lease once. Whether it be from the more “woo woo” spaces of the internet, or the most distinguished physics laboratory, something both of these opposing sides appear to stay in agreement on is that this specific statement is generally considered true. Though they may be in disagreement of how it is true, most people would nod in agreement to this. I am not here to fuel the arguments of one side or the other in this matter. The Webster definition of Energy is “a fundamental entity of nature that is transferred between parts of a system…and usually regarded as the capacity for doing work.” According to this definition, if energy is a fundamental property of nature then it is also universal to our experience. Without energy, there is no movement, no action, no change.
THE CURRENCY OF LIFE
Let’s make another quick segue for context, before we continue. In the unfortunately money ruled, Neo-Liberal norms of the modern world, we seldom can consider concepts that are not economically centered. As such, I will use such a metaphor for ease of understanding. Currency (money) is the means by which economies run in our current world, it is essentially the energetic force of economic movement and change. Using this specific metaphor, Energy then is the currency of Life. Currency, in comparison is such a FLIMSY reflection of what energy is for us, and for all living things in on Earth. Energy drives the movement of the celestial planets and stars which causes measurable time (as we perceive it) and climates, it drives the movement and interplay of light and plants which makes food possible for all living things, it drives the movement of the mind which conceives and develops thoughts and ideas, it drives the movement of the body which builds compounding strength and stamina, it is eating (movement of the mouth, hands, and organ processes) which provides the ability (the energy) to even move the body and mind at all. In the case of the above statements being absolutely true, it is powerfully implied that Energy (as we have defined and understand it) is the ultimate currency of existence. Everything which requires thought, change, movement, or progress requires energy – EVERYTHING.
I am of the firm opinion, under this frame of thought, that all of our efforts and focus over the past few generations has been extremely off-base. We’ve focused on the fiat (made-up) currencies of our societies, when in fact there is but ONE currency-which all who live access to- that will give us the deep fulfillment that we long for and go mad in search of. This one universal currency is energy, and has nothing to do with money of any form, but is from proper food, rest, and movement (physical and mental exercise). There is another form of energy as well; it is invisible, yet guides our minds specifically, and (if we are mentally healthy) leads us and those around us to new heights and possibilities in life. This invisible form of energy is not discussed often in the modern word, and perhaps this is because it is a new concept to us, or it is simply buried and forgotten in history; this invisible, powerfully guiding energy, is called Intention. As mentioned in a previous discussion (titled “What is Real”), a French philosopher, named Jacques Lacan, believed that society is built from the combination of two worlds, the Symbolic and the Imaginary. These two worlds, in cooperation, build the structure of our laws, language and norms of society, along with the symbols and paradigms that represent these laws and norms. The actual act of combining these two realms, I believe, is fueled specifically by intention; and while creatives do not exclusively wield this ability, they appear to be one of most exemplary of its users.
THE MOVEMENT OF INTENT
So what then is Intention, exactly? What is its connection with energy? Well, as mentioned above, it is the “movement” of thoughts which generates ideas. It is energy which generates movement. If art is mainly personal expression then that expression is generated within the individual, thus from their own mind and soul. Art starts with an idea in the mind, or a feeling, or a sense, or a vision, but it doesn’t end with that, it also becomes the motion of the idea in action and results in a change in reality, even if slight. This is intention’s connection with energy and with art.
But we are still left with our first question, and though its application takes work, it is simple. Intention is the synchronization of Thought (ideas/focus), Action (motion), and Emotion (meaning/intuition/feeling). Ideas can be generated indefinitely, Actions can persist to exhaustion, and Emotions can flow unfettered, but unless they work in symphonic unity their efforts (and thus results) will be half-hearted, or even destructive. This is also why some art appears to just miss the mark, or even feel vapid and empty of meaning. This also applies to many things in life. Emotion is one of the strongest drivers of human behavior, if not the strongest. I believe emotion to be the main source of what we call “meaning,” as typically anytime meaning is mentioned, or its lack thereof, it is assimilated with a specific feeling that’s directly correlated to such lack or gain. In this case, the synchronization of strong emotion with corresponding thoughts and actions is what changes this personal meaning to a reality that can be experienced by others. This can be the case for better or for worse. But this isn’t the only thing that intention can do.
PASSING THE TORCH
Back to our starting question. Why do we start making art? Out of the many different questions listed after that initial one, did you happen to notice that they all basically asked the same question? Because, regardless of the unlimited possibilities that exist for how or when we encounter it, art always has a specific similar effect in us, and an identical result from us. This effect in us is the other half of what is created from moving with intention. The result from us is the hand which helps to move and change the cycles of history.
When we encounter truly impactful art, common language used is that it “moved” us in a certain way. What exactly moved us, and how? The art itself is most likely not capable of physical movement, and if so, likely not capable of conscious action; so it cannot be from the art, physically. Well, let’s use a context clue: when a friend of ours watches a film, and describes it to us as “very moving,” we know almost instinctively to be ready to reach for a tissue. So it’s likely that the common meaning for “moving,” in this context, is that it has a strong emotional effect on us. It is emotion which moves us; we say it out of instinct and don’t even internalize the reality of the statement. It is an initiating force for action, first mental, then physical. As stated above, emotion is one of the strongest drivers of human behavior, but through intention, it can be made into an experienced reality. This is the little known, natural purpose of art; it is a seemingly unavoidable law of nature.
Human beings are both deeply affected, and deeply affect with emotion, and art is its vehicle.
When I say this (and I believe it) I am not only referring to the visual arts, though they are a magnificent example of this. Truly impactful art consists of all things which are used to transmit not just a message of words, morals, or beauty, but emotion to others. When one moves intentionally, they crystallize their thoughts, feelings, and actions of that specific moment into “history.” They make something real, something tangible, something that can be experienced, something that will affect others. As with all things in life, there are degrees of this as well. One can imagine an office building that did not exist in a specific spot before, and build it with long, hard work and planning. Does this make it art? Not necessarily. But it doesn’t necessarily disqualify it either. If said office building was built with the purpose of transmitting deeply passionate and inspired care for the work done there, then the building becomes an instrument for art.
AN IMAGE, A FEELING, A VEHICLE
No need to only take my word for it, of course, but we can look at the words of a well established professional who agrees. One of the “founding fathers” of what we consider analytical psychology today, Carl Jung said this: “But by being charged with emotion, the image gains numinosity (or psychic energy); it becomes dynamic, and consequences of some kind must flow from it.” In the context of these words, he’s referring specifically to the relationship that we humans have to the psychological archetypes, which are images themselves. Regardless of whether we, personally can create archetypes ourselves is a different conversation for another time, but here a father of analytical psychology is stating that an image being charged with human emotion is bound to create a real life outcome [consequences] of some kind.
Let’s use one more quick example of how something like this can be possible. The act and need of eating food is universal to all human beings, and as a certified Nutritionist, I can give us a quick run down of the connection here with our overall point. As we eat, our bodies breakdown these various foods into the constituent parts we call “Macronutrients.” These “macros” are different types of energy sources for the body. As stated earlier, this food is absolutely necessary for human beings to be able to perform movement of any kind, mental or physical, and the only way to gain and use said energy is through this food (even synthetically made, these macros are still extracted from and based on their food source). Now I’ve greatly simplified the process of food breakdown, but that is the general point. Food is the vehicle for our physical and mental energy. The metaphor here is that Art is indeed a type of food, food for the soul, some might say. If the “vehicle” for the energy of mind and body are covered by food, then the only “vehicle” left is that of the spirit/soul indeed.
This is the inert purpose of Art. Art is the vehicle of meaning, of emotion, and this energizes us to move with meaning. The intention of the art moves into us, then through us, into our own works, and then into others. The Laws of Thermodynamics are in direct reference to the movement and use of energy throughout the world as we know it. The 3rd of those laws tells us that energy cannot be destroyed, only transferred from one object (“vehicle”) to the next. In the context of this discussion here, Art then is indeed a metaphorical force of nature, as it appears to follow the same natural laws. And in the case of art, we have direct influence on how and where that energy moves.
Now, as I briefly mentioned, the end result of intention can have both a positive or negative effect. I approach intention from this standpoint as if it were a force of nature; like a storm, or an earthquake, art itself is neither “good” nor “evil.” The effect of intention, however, can be considered good or bad, and fortunately – unlike with the weather – we have a good amount of control over effects which might manifest. Unfortunately there seem to be many more these days that use this force of intention more for personal gain than for the overall benefit of others. This will typically result in disaster, as we cannot survive and continue on this planet without cooperation. We cannot fix how others move, but we can strive to move with intention in all of our own art, work, and life and experience the positive results for ourselves. With emotions specifically, as they are mostly relative and personal, we must not run from them, regarding our work or life. We must learn to sit with and feel our emotions fully, especially toward a specific work that we are engaged with; only when we have learned to do so regularly can we develop a bit clearer intention and movement in our work.
“What does this piece mean to or for me?”
“How does it make me feel when I interact with it?”
“What feeling do I experience, or desire to experience most when I interact with it?”
These are some of the most important questions that an artist can ask themselves if they wish to impact others with their work; and your art will likely impact others in some way, but it is a matter of how you wish that impact to take hold. It is important to mention that this, along with all other skills we will discuss here, requires practice. None of us can or will be perfect at something with our first try, so do not fret if it doesn’t quite click immediately, and never quit. It also is worth noting that allowing the art to speak for itself is a highly useful skill in the making of art, and an equally viable and respectable path, as the paths are many.
There is one more very important concept for us to understand in order to fully connect with our work, and inspire the same in others. This concept does not necessarily need as much introduction or explanation as Intention, but ironically is infinitely deeper. That concept is Metaphor. Metaphor, as defined by Miriam Webster, is when “ a word or phrase denoting one kind of object is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them.” This is referring specifically to its language use in Poetry, however, metaphor is a staple of Art as a whole. All great art has some level of Metaphor; it becomes a distinct representation of something both real and tangible, and something unreal, whether from the artist, the, viewer, the medium, or environment. The simplest way to think of Metaphor is that it is essentially context, distilled to its most precise form. Life is practically infinite variations of context, and metaphor brings that down to earth and awakens the observing abilities of the mind to be able to interact with and experience on a human level. Intention is an indispensable vehicle for art, but Metaphor is the paved road it travels. Keep this in mind always.
If Art is the vehicle of emotion, and therefore of meaning, then artists, creators, and inventors of all kinds are the operators, builders, and innovators of such a vehicle. Each can decide where the vehicle goes, how fast, and what road it takes, but ultimately each vehicle’s inert purpose is to transport that meaning to another and make it stronger as it moves. To repeat a known cliche of our time, “It is not the car, it’s the driver.” We are the drivers, and despite the strength and purpose of Art’s nature, we must nurture and build that strength for it to move at all. Thus, the true beauty of art is not in the skill required to create it (though it is worthy of recognition), it is in what is being made real -what others can experience from it- and the meaning it transmits.
The thoughts, feelings, and actions of the art’s creator, made into experience; that is beautiful, that is you. It is all that you are that is the true beauty and purpose of art.