Dear Artists, what is it that you are doing? Dear people who love art, what do you love?

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We come across terms like “art” and “artists” almost daily. But do we really know what it is? What makes a thing worthy of praise and is it necessary for something to be praised to be considered as art?

I have been thinking about this since my first day of college -when my course instructor asked the students of our class to introduce themselves by saying a one-liner that describes them. It wasn’t so hard for me, for I have always known what defines me.

On my turn, I unhesitatingly said out loud: “I am Zahra. I’m passionate about creating and viewing art”.

“What kind?” my instructor asked me. I said I appreciated and loved art in every form, be it a painting or a poem. However, the confusion began when he asked me what I thought the essence of art was. Perplexed with this sudden question, after a few moments, I said: “I don’t think I can define it.” He smiled and moved on to the next person, but my thoughts didn’t leave the question. I kept pondering over it because if art defined me, I had to be able to define art so that I could make sense of myself.

After having discussions, with my friends, on what they think art is, I have realized that there are two over-arching streams of meaning people like to associate with the word “art”.

Catharsis for the artist?

For some, art means expression; painting despair in pale blue and joy in bright yellow or vice versa, according to the mood. It can be a therapist and a friend who keeps secrets. You can tell it everything, from day to day experiences to the incomprehensible thoughts. When you look at the color palette and an empty white sheet of paper, you automatically know what you feel, and how to make sense of it.

It is almost magical because your mind tells you what color to pick from the palette and your hand moves the brush just how it is required. Your organs work in unity to make the painting, just as how they unite to make your body. Art can be literature with no literary rules and free-verse poetry. It is writing down the words to create a world only you know of. You don’t owe anyone any kind of explanation if the audience finds your art undecipherable. Is it difficult to say what the essence of art is? Your art means everything to you and nothing to others. It is only for you.

Nice and simple. A hobby for only its own sake? Many people do not agree with this idea of art.

Catharsis for the Audience?

Art should mean beauty, others say. It is a piece that makes people awestruck and feel their own suppressed emotions when they engage with it through any of their five senses. It must be comprehensible because humans of today are now so occupied with responsibilities, that they need a relaxing abode they can visit after a full day of work. People deserve beautiful-looking items to relax to and it is an artist’s duty to provide people with this undeniable need. Also, It cannot be denied that it makes the artists really happy when people compliment their pieces- when they tell them that the piece has put into words exactly what they feel.

So according to this view, art should be visually attractive and should follow certain conventions (of literature or aesthetics). After all, an untidy jumble of colors or words can’t be called art. Is it too hard to define art’s essence, then? Is it not a thing of beauty created for mankind? Which view do you agree with? Can you easily side with one view or are you confused like I am?

So…what is the answer?

I think the answer is that there is no answer. While my heart tells me to go with the first view, my mind agrees with the second one. I would be so relieved if my heart and mind were two persons existing differently but sadly, both the personifications are my own. Every time I visit my hobby, it asks me what I have come today with, my heart or my mind? I answer, and it so obediently forms its silhouette accordingly. Should I then be sorry for art? Does it want one defined shape and sense of purpose from me? Or from you?