The Meaning of Art
In my opinion, art is a form of communication and an attempt to express the inner world of the artist. As a form of communication, it has developed over thousands of years, based on the accumulated experience and knowledge of humanity. Hundreds of styles and artistic techniques have been created to convey the complexity of thought and emotion within the human psyche. Often, this diversity resembles the various languages that people speak and write.
Despite everything, art is a more universal language than all the written and spoken languages that humanity has developed in its societies. Music and visual art are universal forms of communication, understood by a large part of different nations and societies. However, with the development of various styles, sometimes the artistic means of expression can become incomprehensible.
This lack of understanding arises from numerous factors, often emotional and cultural. In their attempt to express an emotion or their personal emotional struggle arising from the social environment in which they live, artists create images that can sometimes be incomprehensible to viewers from other societies and emotional states.
In my view, emotional expression in art is almost impossible because emotions and feelings are highly personal, profound, and unique to each individual. When we pour pure emotion onto a canvas, it is simply an act that materializes an image that is almost impossible to evoke the same emotion in the viewer. For example, if joy is represented for me with a blue background and pink dots, for another person, it may be presented with a red background and yellow dots. Each person experiences and perceives emotions in their own way.
Through literature, emotions can be described with words and detailed details that convey to the reader the author's experience and what they want to inspire in them. In the case of visual art, it seems to me that misunderstandings and misinterpretations can arise. Over the millennia of development, art has established natural criteria for creating images. Even in contemporary art, with the presence and development of abstract art, there are rules of composition and combinations based on the purely physical perception of the viewer, which have not changed significantly over millions of years of evolution.
Very often, I notice artists who try to create forms of art that break the rules, with the idea of attracting attention to themselves and establishing their own place in the realm of art. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it allows art to evolve and discover new forms. However, in my opinion, this often leads to misunderstanding. Ultimately, art is a form of communication, and if the person it is directed towards doesn't understand the language you speak, the chances of being misunderstood are very high. A person has two eyes and two ears, and their perceptions are simultaneously rich and limited. The parameters of physical perception have been studied for thousands of years through scientific and experimental methods, and they are also influenced by social experiences and cultural influences. This is another factor that the artist can take into account. We live in an era of globalization where humanity has greater opportunities for understanding, which is a big plus for artists.
I agree that the artist can consider the physical, cultural, and social characteristics of the viewers they are targeting and even strive for communication with all of humanity. An intelligent approach can bring about greater contact and interaction with people. Additionally, it is important for art to carry a message, whether it's an emotional message that evokes emotions or a theme for contemplation or deeper meaning. The underlying meaning can be veiled or hinted at, or it can overlap with the surface meaning. To achieve this, the artist needs to have a clear theme to work on and present it analytically. The level of intelligence of the artist will naturally be reflected in their art because the artist expresses what they think. Thoughts, knowledge, and emotions materialize in art.
The author should not conform 100% to the intelligence of the viewers but should provide a theme for reflection to everyone through their own unique interpretation. Some may simply see a flying bee in a particular painting, others may associate the bee with memories of their grandfather who kept bees, some may consider it a symbol of nature and its inseparable interconnectedness, while others may see in the painting an idea that can change their lives or inspire them with their own path. The meaning of art has always been a carrier of ideas that provide impetus and inspiration for development, even in initially impossible things in our lives. The freedom of thought and expression in art is one of the most tolerant fields of human action, where the unthinkable can be realized as an idea that can acquire real dimension over time.
I agree that freedom of expression in art should be exercised within the bounds of moral and spiritual criteria and responsibilities of the authors and societies. The expressive means should be acceptable and carry wisdom rather than pure aggression and calls for destruction. The power of messages in art can build positive attitudes but can also provoke negative consequences. It is the responsibility of the author to reflect on the content and message conveyed by their art.
History provides numerous examples of art that has served as a catalyst for positive development, as well as for causing destruction and division. Over time, societies' wisdom and intelligence sift through positive and negative examples, and quality art finds its place in museums.
The message I would like to send to viewers is to engage with the emotion and seek meaning and subtext in the artwork. If they discover it, then that painting is meant for them. If they feel that the artwork brings them happiness, hope, meaning, and ideas for their own life and development, then it is good for them to purchase it. This work of art will serve as a guiding light throughout their lives and become a legacy for future generations, who will grow up observing that painting.
The meaning of art lies within our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Our intelligence, which can perceive specific art, breathes life into the image and evokes reflection and thrilling experiences.
