Why do we look at art?

By

Amaya

Well, why indeed? Anyone involved in art has asked themselves this question at one point or another.

Art, in its many forms, exists in every community, every culture, and every country. It’s made to be seen. Art has been created since time began, cave paintings and rock art can corroborate that. It is specifically called into material being by the creativity and its primary purpose depends on its being viewed. It would be naive, though, to consider this act of looking is simple.

For what it’s worth, I am sharing few points I think are few time-tested reasons as to why looking at art matters:

1. Zero in

We do what we do to get by in our strenuous yet zippy-zappy life. Yet how many of us try to learn and know about what you’re looking at. Art, like language, is a medium to express ideas and to share information. And we make art to communicate meanings, ideas and though and our impressions, so looking with focus gets you closer to and understanding and even help us understand different dimensions of it. Art is an excellent place to sharpen your eyes for life in general.

2. Travel through Time

Art is made by humans for human across hundreds and hundreds of years. Wait, I didn’t say this. Look at the famous art works like the painting of Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci or The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh or even The Creation of Adam fresco painting by Michelangelo. They all are still here despite the fact that the ones who created them are not. So it’s easier to grasp the concept that an art object is like a time capsule containing the beliefs, dreams, habits and ideas of a different men and women who came and went before us.

3. Story telling time

Art is a history lesson, an historical record, a preservation of culture, and an autobiography all in one.  It documents events and experiences over time and allows us a richer understanding of history. Also an added value of art is that it reflects cultural values, beliefs and identity and helps to preserve the many different communities that make up our world.

4. Stop for a sec

Art can help us get into the habit of taking a moment. That’s bliss. It can be hard to stop and stand still. But if you take a minute to be in the presence of an art work you get a feeling that it speaking to you. Thus we understand it, thought I admit that what we understand may not be what the artist meant or wants us to understand. The thing I’ve learned about art is that everyone’s experience of an art work is unique. Meaning is made in each encounter between a human being and a work of art.

5. Ameliorating

Creating or experiencing art can relax and sooth us. For some the experience will be enlivening and stimulating. I believe that through creating art we engage and involve both the body and the mind. And this provides us an opportunity to look inward and reflect.  Experiencing art gives us reason to think and be reflective or sometimes it may inspire and motivate us to change and be bold.  I believe that Art provides a release, a place for reflection and away to engage our whole selves.

6. Art is a Shared Experience

The creation of art is a collective activity. Art forms such as dance, theatre and choir all require a group of artists and an audience. Even the solitary painter or poet relies upon the craft of the paint-maker or book-binder to help create art. Art offers us a reason to come together and share in an experience. We need art to keep us connected.