Seeking Serenity

Why do we seek serenity in art and art making?

What is the essence of serenity in art and why do we seek it? There is no doubt some art can bring about a sense of peace, whether by making it or observing it. One of the arguments against the “shock art” that has been prominent in the last few decades, is the sense of unrest it causes in both viewer and art maker. While “shock art” can upend the art market for a bit, it does not translate to popularity with the vast art making and buying public. Shock artists may make a pile of money in the short term but have no lasting appeal. And only a minuscule number of artists can make it in the extremely narrow market for shock. So what about the greater makers and consumers of art out there? Is it serenity we are seeking or something more?

Artists and art consumers could be:

  • seeking serenity in the “vastness of scenery”
  • being transported to another world where only paint, brush strokes and color exist
  • using our imaginations for survival
  • staying healthy by using our creativity to remain connected
Reelfoot Sunset, oil pastel on paper

David Chang, renowned artist and Chair of the Department of Art + Art History, at Florida International University, on an exhibit at FIU called, “The Art of Serenity” says, “Human beings are naturally drawn to vastness in scenery.” While Alice Sun, responding in Quora.com on “Why is painting a relaxing activity?” says “To me, painting is relaxing because it transports me to another world, where only paint, brush strokes and color exist.”

While we think we are seeking peace and serenity, we may in fact be seeking something much bigger. Kaimal Girija, of Drexel University, says in an article for NPR, “This act of imagination is actually an act of survival.” “It is preparing us to imagine possibilities and hopefully survive those possibilities.” The writer of the article for NPR, Malaka Gharab is an artist herself and believes there are benefits to both making and viewing art. In her article, “Feeling Artsy, Here’s How Art Helps Your brain she talks with experts like Girija and another, Christianne Strang, Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Alabama, Birmingham and past president of the American Art Therapy Association. Professor Strang says, “”Creativity in and of itself is important for remaining healthy, remaining connected to yourself and connected to the world.” 

As for me, I’ll say art and art making is all of those things and more! The only thing I can add is, I must make art. It is a drive from inside that I have very little control over. Is seeking serenity through art and art making a means of survival and connectedness? Must be!

Art as Tragic Victim

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“He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, is victorious.” Sun Tzu (from Brainyquote)

For years the museum carries on its function of sharing great art with the world, opening its doors so young and old can enjoy the treasures it holds.  Its sole purpose is to give the joy and beauty of art to others.  The museum carried on quietly without engaging in politics or giving its opinion.  It asked only to continue with its purpose.  Without warning it was suddenly thrust into the limelight and held hostage by the very politics it chose not to take part in.

Suddenly this museum is fighting to stay out of the raging battle for the fiscal salvage of the bankrupt city.  The PR war being waged basically says that art must be sacrificed to pay the pensions of the city’s retirees.  Nothing is being said about how the pensions got in this mess in the first place.  It wasn’t the art that did it but the art will be made to pay the price.

Lee Rosenbaum, author of the CultureGrrl at Arts Journal blogs, was interviewed by NPR on Christmas day about this subject.  Follow the link for a wonderful interview.  During the interview, there were several attempts by the interviewer to engage Rosenbaum in the game of pitting the art against the pensioners.  Rosenbaum’s response on her blog was, “Its wrong to put this as an either-or between pensions and art.  There are so many other players here.  It makes it sound like this mean museum is holding onto its art while people are starving.  Its not that.”  It may not be that but the museum will still likely lose this war.

As each day goes by it is looking more and more likely that much if not all of the fabulous treasured art of the Detroit Institute of Arts will be sold to pay for the fiscal hole of the city of Detroit.  Art has no hope of winning a PR war with pensioners whether or not the art had anything to do with the state of the pensions. This war is best not fought at all.  Art has become another victim in this sad tragedy.  We can hope for a victory by not getting sucked in to this battle.   Perhaps the art will end up in a place where it can continue its role of bringing joy to others.  That would be a victorious ending to this tragic war.

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