WHY IS ART SIGNIFICANT
I recently had the honor of sitting with an exceptional human being Alexandra DeFurio. Inspired by this artist’s work and her story. AlexandraDeFurio.com and IG@alexandra_defurio
Why do we gravitate towards a particular piece of “art”?
What do we decide to call art? Paintings. Drawings. Sculptures. Photographs... any medium that seems visual? How about music, dance, poetry, literature..? Does food count as art? An unusual presentation. Is the unusualness the criteria for being art? Is art just a creation?
Can any creation be considered “a work of art” Period.
Why not a baby, a proposal at work, a paper for school, an exercise routine... Everything in our lives is a creation. Every action we choose to take is a creation. We are all creators: we are all artists!
Consider why art heightens our senses. We stroll along the walls and installations of a museum until something gains our attention and draws us in. We click around Spotify until something we hear gets us to stop and investigate. Certain foods and beverages can slow us down to savor mode. A pleasing aroma or fragrance begs us to refresh ourselves with another deeper draw to fill us up.
To get another deeper look, listen, feel, taste. even smell is the action and what is the payoff?
Slowing down and allowing us to be present to what we are experiencing.
Is there another sense that is active? Perhaps intuition telling us to pause and investigate?
Joy alert! Joy alert!
A stirring of our own inherent ability and necessity to create. We are born creators, even the act of getting pregnant is a creation. When you think of art, what is it you gravitate toward. Perhaps visual displays of static images that seem to embody some type of flow which in turn elicits a flowing of your own senses and you pause to take it all in or maybe movements such as in dance or sport where the flow is readily apparent?
I can only speak for myself when asked what do I consider art. Anything that moves, inspires, and brings me joy and I find beauty in.
Something has been created that allows me to taste with my eyes. To sit and run my eyes over around and through so that I can slowly devour each and every detail if I choose.
Music and audible creations allow me to taste with my ears and savor deliciousness of the words, sounds, and phrases, even a giggle and the intricacies of their combinations.
The rose, mountain air, grandma’s lasagna (or maybe cookies) commands me to stop and become present to tasting with my nose. An experience is in process and I am immersed; at least for the moment. I inhale immediately and thoroughly as if to fill every cell in my body with what I am present to. I am at peace.
A tactile display invites me to taste with my fingers, toes, or body the curves, warmth or coolness, movement of what is before me,
Art pulls you into the moment awakening your senses to their power that is available every moment of every day: inspiration, beauty, joy, and love: the true power of our existence.
Where would we be without art?
What inspires you?
Where will you incorporate that in your life today? Right now?
What gets you present?
Do that and you are an artist.
