We as humans have figured out incredible ways to combine our talents and interests. Because we have developed an efficient system in our world to get done what needs doing, we are able to take the time to think more deeply about who we are and why.
In my experience of observing philosophical conversation and reading, it seems that our greatest philosophical issue is the injustice apparent across the world. The extremely uneven distribution of wealth, varying rights to education and views on how we treat each other cause much distress for many of us and are constantly struggled with. We also face the inevitable day we run out of natural resources, coupled with corporate greed and laziness. In addition, we work daily through extreme disagreement between political parties and the great divide this creates.
Through the injustice, tragedy and conflict we have been faced with our entire existence, art has remained a constant in our world. Art is a lasting expression of history, a powerful and universal way to express ourselves to each other and to future generations. We have used art since the beginning of time to cope with our distress, express ourselves when words do not suffice, teach lessons to current and future generations, and record significant historical events. Art has the ability to clarify many philosophical issues we face because it is therapeutic for us when faced with difficult concepts and ideas, and is accessible to and inclusive of every human being.
To be a man, a woman, or an artist depends greatly on the society impressed upon an individual. To be a woman in our American society has developed greatly over the last seventy-five years. To many of us, to be an American woman today means to be capable, determined and equal to men; in other countries, to be a woman means to be looked down upon, silences, regardest as a man's property. There seems to be a more universal agreement/understanding of what it means to be a man. Throughout most cultures and societies, being a man is synonymous with being dominant, all-powerful, and often superior to females.
Worldwide, we can agree to the simple idea that to be an artist is to create art, but "art" is whatever one takes it to mean and be. More deeply speaking, however, to be an artist means something captivatingly unique to each individual who composing the seven billion human beings currently populating our Earth. Our past experiences fit together to determine how we view anything, and in this case, the importance and focus we dedicate to art and the concept of being an artist. While a bleak black canvas or blaring trombone may seem foolish and trivial to one, to another, these things could evoke very powerful and profound feeling and emotion. As many agree, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and each beholder's eye sees art as something different. I believe we all have some kind of artist inside of us, but each one of us understands and observes art differently. The countless differing ideas of what it means to be an artist are what make our world so stunning and special. To be an artist is to allow your soul to create.
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"Our insistence on cognitive knowing may already have robbed us of some of our capacity for being human."
I feel that this quote sheds light on a painful truth in our modern world. With our incredible advancements of technology and our insistence to hyper focus on science, truth and hard fact have killed much of our artistic inclination as humans. I do not believe we have lost or ever could possibly lose our connection with art and "capacity for being human", but it is obvious that we have repressed and dismissed our inner desire to create. As human beings existing in modern society, we have relinquished much of our passion for art in favor of newly cultured pressure for extreme functionality and efficiency.
I believe we have a long road ahead of us in regaining our full humanity as we have really devalued the true power and significance of art. The first step towards redeveloping and strengthening our relationship with art is to broaden our idea of what art is. Many of us are so used to going through the motions of our everyday life that we neglect the overwhelming beauty of our everyday lives. We need to open our ears to those encouraging our inner artists to awaken, open our minds to the power of artistic expression, and open our eyes to the exquisiteness of Mother Earth and her children.
To be a man, a woman, or an artist depends greatly on the society impressed upon an individual. To be a woman in our American society has developed greatly over the last seventy-five years. To many of us, to be an American woman today means to be capable, determined and equal to men; in other countries, to be a woman means to be looked down upon, silences, regardest as a man's property. There seems to be a more universal agreement/understanding of what it means to be a man. Throughout most cultures and societies, being a man is synonymous with being dominant, all-powerful, and often superior to females.
Worldwide, we can agree to the simple idea that to be an artist is to create art, but "art" is whatever one takes it to mean and be. More deeply speaking, however, to be an artist means something captivatingly unique to each individual who composing the seven billion human beings currently populating our Earth. Our past experiences fit together to determine how we view anything, and in this case, the importance and focus we dedicate to art and the concept of being an artist. While a bleak black canvas or blaring trombone may seem foolish and trivial to one, to another, these things could evoke very powerful and profound feeling and emotion. As many agree, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and each beholder's eye sees art as something different. I believe we all have some kind of artist inside of us, but each one of us understands and observes art differently. The countless differing ideas of what it means to be an artist are what make our world so stunning and special. To be an artist is to allow your soul to create.
...
"Our insistence on cognitive knowing may already have robbed us of some of our capacity for being human."
I feel that this quote sheds light on a painful truth in our modern world. With our incredible advancements of technology and our insistence to hyper focus on science, truth and hard fact have killed much of our artistic inclination as humans. I do not believe we have lost or ever could possibly lose our connection with art and "capacity for being human", but it is obvious that we have repressed and dismissed our inner desire to create. As human beings existing in modern society, we have relinquished much of our passion for art in favor of newly cultured pressure for extreme functionality and efficiency.
I believe we have a long road ahead of us in regaining our full humanity as we have really devalued the true power and significance of art. The first step towards redeveloping and strengthening our relationship with art is to broaden our idea of what art is. Many of us are so used to going through the motions of our everyday life that we neglect the overwhelming beauty of our everyday lives. We need to open our ears to those encouraging our inner artists to awaken, open our minds to the power of artistic expression, and open our eyes to the exquisiteness of Mother Earth and her children.
Danica, this post was absolutely wonderful. I agreed with everything you wrote. You truly opened my eyes and made me realize that being human is different to everyone, and that weighs heavily in the hands of society. I never realized how much society really shapes people in that sense. I also love how you brought in the idea of culture. How in one society someone could be looked as this but in another society, they could be looked upon as something completely different. I loved your ideas about art and how it is a "lasting expression of history." I loved that and couldn't agree ore. I can't wait to read more of your blogs!
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