Monday, October 26, 2009
When I say I don't know if many people share my way of thinking, one of the things I mean is that I seem to find a particularly strong consolation from art, where normal men find befuddlement (and sometimes insincerity). As much as I would like to call that "being artistic", I'm definitely without the talent the phrase implies; so something better is needed. (Weird is always a good choice, but too flippant.) Whatever the appropriate word, I wonder (as is my wont) why this is so - why do I seem unusually entranced by the artistic realm? Honestly, I don't know if I use art as a tool to self-awareness, or just as a crutch; probably both, as it goes with most things, but in what proportions? One creeping fear is that I compensate for personal deficiencies through excessive adulation of the distillation of (other people's) experiences. It might be true to some extent. But I still like to think that precisely because it tries to capture the essence of things, art is one of the keys to unlocking the mystery of it all. Rest assured though, having given out the advice of not letting art come before life, I am on my guard to make sure I don't fall into the same trap. Appreciating art for speaking truths is one thing, but sometimes it only has meaning if the truth is then enacted in our own lives.
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4 comments:
What separates a movie from a film? Isn't art a skill? A way of looking at things? Attention to detail. Appreciation of meaning and purpose. Interpretation. Clever analysis, etc. Everyone believes in beauty and fun. A novel or a poem aims much higher than an instruction manual. You seek what you like. No harm in overexposure to things you love. As long as it's not out of desperation, obsession.
What're your "deficiencies", master? Joketh thou? Write a sci-fi epic masterpiece you must!
"No harm in overexposure to things you love" - Well I wonder. It's axiomatic that there are things you are naturally drawn to, and that these are things that one ends up spending most time on. But what I'm considering is why: specifically when it comes to art. I suppose what I'm saying is that it's easy to spend a lot of time appreciating beauty, but somehow it doesn't seem as meaningful if you don't actively experience it in your own life. Reading about exotic characters in a gripping piece of fiction is great, for example, but for me it seems to be used as a compensation for the fact that I don't go travelling and meet interesting people myself. Fine, maybe travel isn't for me, but my concern is that if you tally up things I like in art, there are few counterparts in my real life. Put simply: my life is dull when I'm not listening to music or reading books :-D Assuming that's clearer, what's your stance now? Is it still ok to not actually do things and just read about/listen to other people describing them?
My deficiencies are many and well-studied (mostly by me)!
I think it's definitely worth doing things, enacting what you wish you were doing. I have the same feeling about living vicariously, etc, but I don't think it's a sign of weakness. Maybe it's withdrawal to protect something the outside world isn't careful with. I reckon take your time, really appreciate how scary it can be. Every little bit is rewarding. No need to feel guilty or self-absorbed. Better to appreciate so many things in your isolation than be "out there" but having lost the passion/yearning. I guess I'm saying you don't have to have conventional adventures (travelling, meeting rich or famous or talented people) to live. Beauty be in the ears of the beholder. Whoever saves one life saves the world entire. Maybe just start changing simple little things. Making people smile or laugh or teach 'em, etc. Without a doubt, I think you should start actually doing things! You're obviously ready to. What is it your favourite characters do/achieve? Outdo them! Besides, reading ain't that bad considering whoever wrote it was probably sitting around smoking and writing on some island. Nobody's lived those adventures yet! It's all fiction! Ready to begin your journey?!
Even outside of "doing" things, y'know, let the expertise of album-listening and novels focus your appreciation of simple things in the real world. All the beautiful people with intertwining pasts. All the animals, everywhere. We're in heaven, y'all!
Like what? Arrogance and impatience?
Your points are (as always) quite persuasive and eerily close to thoughts I have (albeit not in as fleshed out a form). I suppose all I was trying to say is that while all of these things are true (such as your beautiful line about the world being indifferent to something precious), something has to be said for "living life" every once in a while. As in, doing something other than think about how good an Elgar piece is ;-) Not that experiencing and appreciating art is useless, but that some sort of compromise is needed. Maybe it's heavily skewed in the favour of art, but it should at least be non-zero.
Sorry if I repeat myself too much; I fear i've reached my limits in terms of abstract philosophizing.
Like what? Arrogance and impatience?
I was going to go with hypersensitivity, shyness and an unhealthy fixation on things that might not be real (hence this post ;-)), but those are good too.
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