• previous post
• next post

For Art’s Sake

• October 3rd, 2006

I just returned from England and I had the opportunity to spend time with several artists that I have always admired, not only for their work but their soul, which of course some would say is indistinguishable from their art. Their talents range from film direction to architectural design, to pottery, painting and music and song writing, all such different modes of expressions yet reside within the same place of passion, the need to create and communicate.

Art, in all forms is personal, intimate and the ultimate means of expressing self. For me, it’s not inanimate but a live and breathing piece of feelings, opinions or just plain commentary Never is this more apparent than when a piece is created with a vision expressed and given to another. This collaboration can not be duplicated or bought; it’s an event, a moment in time and a spot in the memory. Possessions actually do lose their value with possession, so it’s the act of creation that holds all meaning, fleeting and only real within the truth is seeks to reveal.

I discussed at length these concepts with my intellectual and creative friend Peter. His take was that creativity, or art takes place with people as well, not just things. That in essence we all have the capability of creating art in our work, our lives and with principals we have the passion to uphold. I’ve been thinking a lot about that since I returned and how this concept relates to people with disabilities.

Is it not true that art as most of us would define it is misunderstood by strangers or those not connected to the artist or what they are attempting to communicate? I think so. I think this too is the fate of people with disabilities. The lack of connection to strangers or people who are not able to understand something foreign or different is the quest that most people with disabilities face. It’s always hard and many times hurtful, yet it is not seen as art, maybe it should be.