Skip to main content

Can Art Answer a Question?

Have you ever been asked or asked yourself a question that you answered through the creation of a piece of art, sculpture, poem, story, song or other creative form?

In a recent post, Nick Cave wrote this about Joy (Post #299) and closed with a question:
"I have a full life.  A privileged life.  An unendangered life.  But sometimes the simple joys escape me.  Joy is not always a feeling that is freely bestowed upon us, often it is something we must actively seek.  In a way, joy is a decision, an action, even a practised method of being.  It is an earned thing brought into focus by what we have lost -- at least, it can seem that way.  My question is, where or how do you find your joy?"

His question is one I found powerful and important to answer for myself.  However, even before I started my exploration, Nick had received over 2,000 replies with a range of answers.     

In reading through many of those (that he posted on his site), there were far more answers to the 'where' than the 'how' of finding one's joy.  What had peaked my intrigue was in figuring out 'how' I find my joy, especially because I recently had an unexpected joyful experience.  

I wrote the question down in my journal to serve as a prompt for a lengthier conversation with myself.  The journaling led to drafting my idea of what is involved in inviting opportunities for joy in plus writing a poem about my recent experience.  With those two elements, I created a zine that incorporates both.  So in answer to this post's title, I'd say yes because I've created a piece of art that answered a question I chose to explore the answer to in creative ways.  

As a different take on the title's question, do you think someone else can create a work of art that answers a question you have?    

This is my 'Joy' Zine

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Highjacked Blog Photo

My profile photo was highjacked ! For those of you who are blogging, be wary. There are some unscrupulous folks out there who may be using or about to use a photo(s) you've uploaded to an online photo-hosting site. At the time I created a blog, having a URL for a photo uploaded online was the only way to insert a photo in your profile or to create a custom header. There had been no problems for a long while. This morning, however, I did a Google image search for my name and found my photo linked to a totally different blog than my own! It is possible I didn't mark my file with the online photo-hosting site as private, but I didn't expect this to happen. I don't know whether marking it private would have actually averted the situation, but I'm not waiting to find out. I eliminated my membership to that online photo-hosting service today and caution anyone to be careful with uploading images to the internet . If you read the terms of agreement at many sites, you'...

Life Book 15 - Week 36 Project Completed (or nearly completed)

This project went in an entirely different direction than the Life Book 2015 lesson.  That's ok because we're also working on accepting those times when we move in our own direction using the lesson purely as a launching point. This piece involved experimenting with collage on a substrate (muslin covered with joint compound), followed with paint, more collage, and then the felt, fabric and beaded plant. This piece was created through a class offered by Tamara Laporte from Willing Arts Ltd. For more information, visit this link:  www.willowing.org .

Get to Work and Get Clear - Stop the Waffling

I haven't painted in some time. So it seemed like the perfect time to sign up for Louise Fletcher's 10-day free taster course titled 'The Creative Reset' that recently started.  She has re-engineered the taster since I took it last, and I'm liking how it is rolling out.  The images below are from our first lesson that were timed studies with additional constraints.  The purpose was not to have finished pieces.  Rather it was to help students identify their preferences and gain clarity about our likes.  This means not choosing to like what others want us to like or think we should, but what we honestly like.     From my six-block painted sheets, I chose one favorite from the first grouping and two favorites from the second grouping.  The step I'm choosing to do is to write down why I like those three in particular.  The reason is because being able to articulate my reasoning will help clarify, strengthen and hone my voice -- not just in art bu...