I can't tell you where exactly the thought came from, or if it actually came from any one thing in particular. I suppose it's merely been festering in the back of my mind for a series of time not actually being verbally expressed...until now.
There's something incredible about spending every hour of every day in a college art department--intertwining my life with those who are so incredibly devoted to a passion that most likely will not even put food on the table. I'll make a blatant statement and say, people are amazing! There's an incredible amount insight that the creatures of the World of Creation have, and I've come to accept the fact, much to my pleasure, that those insights are limitless.
The reason why I bring up the members of my art family relates particularly to my festering thought. I feel as though a career should be something meaningful. Something that contributes to society and creates a legacy for the worker, whether as great as being a CEO of a major company, or as simple (but just as important) as being the provider for a young family. But passion is also important. So important, I dare say it rules the very work we do(except perhaps for self control/motivation. But it's much easier to do a good job when you're excited about your work).
Therefore I beg the question, Is Art Necessary?
Pleasurable, yes! A luxury, most definitely. But is it necessary? Does it contribute to society?
The reaction I received and will now share with you is the answer my fellow students proclaimed to me as I asked them this formidable, question.
YES!
Hah! Typical. Of course they would jubilantly answer without a moments hesitation. Of course they would proclaim without a thought or question as to why this particular question was being asked. Strong willed art lovers!
Alright, smarty pants. So why?
To my surprise, the main point that my two friends focused on the most was evolution. The fact that without art the human race would be extinct, ruined, basically back to the stone ages unable to progress . HECK YEAH! I loved the idea, but I probed further.
How's that?
Consider....well, everything. There is not a man made thing that has been created that has not been designed by someone at some point. Yes, design is apart of art. The formulation of the idea, the process which it goes through until it is desirable and then the process by which it is created. Art. Art is in everything all around us. The handles of our doors, the chairs we sit in, the architecture of the houses we live. Our clothes, our hair, the cars we drive, heck, the obvious things. Music, television, movies. Art! Everywhere!
So, with so many things already created, why is my art relevant? It goes right back to progression. Something doesn't come from nothing. Everything we have influences each of us. Someone else's art is going to influence our own, and in return we will influence others. We will appeal to their sensibilities and cause them, in their own way, whether great or small, to create something of their own.
Point: Art is important. There would not be an incredible amount of artists in the world if that were not the case.
It is our primal instinct to create. The wise men or spiritual leaders of ancient tribes were artists, viewed as superior and magical. Some believed that artists were possessed in a good way by Gods, manifesting the power of the Gods to create. I've also heard an analogy comparable to the not completely closed seams at birth (Clef lip, as an example). Artists, are perhaps the same way. Born without all of our seams closed, therefore our creations are the leakage of those seams from other dimensions and/or lives.
There. I have bestowed upon you the combined knowledge of my prodigiously wise peers. Depart with your knew found respect for the artist and remember that every man made thing you see was constituted by someone extraordinary.
Five Reasons Why We Need Art: http://speakartloud.wordpress.com/2010/04/23/41/
Why We Make Art: http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_we_make_art
Why Do We Create Art: http://painting.about.com/u/ua/artglossaryu/Why-Create-Art.htm
