Does Art Really Matter?

Winter Sunrise by Richard Edde

We have all been touched in some way by the events of our day. Terrorism, economic downturn, and fractured political processes have planted the seed of uncertainty in our lives. So in these tumultuous times it begs the question: does art really matter?

Art can transport us to a new place and, for a moment, allow us to forget our present troubles. But to me, art is not totally escapist. Art provides a sensory experience that can be truly restorative. Art gives our eyes and mind a chance to rest, to muse, to think. Looking at art, we reconnect with our inner spirit, a spirit that is rich in thoughts, feelings, and dreams.

While some consider art to be about things, it is only superficially about objects. It is about ideas and emotions expressed in paint or music or poetry. It is a conversation with our inner selves and our desire to come to terms with our humanness and ultimately, touch the infinite.

Art is the basic need of human survival. It is one of the ways we make sense of our lives, one of the ways in which we express feelings when we have no words, a way to understand things with our hearts when we cannot with our minds.

Art connects us with the deepest human longing for meaning and our desire to touch the infinite.

Just paint it!