The World Of Art

Want to know what the easiest job in the world is? A job for people of nearly every age. A job that is forever loved, even though most times there is no getting paid for it. Look no further than yourself. Ask yourself what it is you love doing (especially in your spare time). It might be playing video games, hanging out with friends or just simply watching television. It can be anything that brings a smile to your face. We call them hobbies, but why do they exist. While you may think the answer is that simply, there is more to it. What you are doing is growing a bond with your senses. You're always going with the flow, embracing the things that surround you and never contemplating about why they exist. It's what I like to call 'living the season' ('Live Season' Or 'Seek Reason'). Pure enjoyment of life through creativity and entertainment. I do it, as does everybody else. What does it make us? Well believe it or not, I see it as us being artists.

That's right, you didn't misread anything. Artists! They are not just singers of a song or painters of a picture. They don't have to go through any formalities to display their passion or praise that from others. I mean sure we'd have to if ever we wanted money in our pockets. But that choice is in our hands. Anybody can be an artist whenever they want to. It's the most non-discriminatory role out there. It doesn't care about what one likes, or what one can do, or who one knows, or how wealthy one is. There is no limitations and the role itself has no control over the people. Artistry exists mainly to keep everyone occupied, but at most times it's a test of character. The power is left in the person's hands and how they use it determines how they are seen by others. There are so many things we have given life to that summon a wide range of thoughts and emotions. But just think about all the stuff we have created for ourselves as a collective. It's incredible! Whether we like some of the ideas or not, we should forever be appreciative of those that have spent time both contributing and giving something great to the world. They've embraced the gift and used it wonderfully. 

It's all part of a much larger picture. An absolutely gigantic one in fact. The idea that any man, woman or child can be an artist regardless of their position in society, can well and truly hint of how big Art is. It isn't just a three-letter word. It's actually one half of life (the other half obviously being Science). It's the half that's responsible for giving life more detail. More flavour. More of an attitude. Without it, we'd nothing but insentient drones with only one common goal. From birth to death will lie an endless boredom. Truth is both halves feed off each other. So I often scoff at those who think Science is more important than Art. You'd know the only reason for this would be the solid truth and validity, which is and will always remain as very shallow thinking. If I come across any person who thinks like this in the future, I just look forward to reminding them of which of the two halves is allowing them to do so. They'd be lying to themselves anyway, because just about everybody respects Art a little more for its lower level of complexity.

Ever noticed at school how Art was just another one of those subjects like Science that wasn't treated as important? Schools instead shift all of their attention to teaching kids English and Mathematics. Why is that we wonder? Well the reason for this is that we humans are giving ourselves a focus. This focus is ensuring that most of us keep sane and don't get too consumed by the bigger questions. The subjects of English and Mathematics, address our 'Short Vision' (see below). They improve our language, extend our vocabulary and give proper life to our problem solving ability. They're all about ensuring us people from a very young age, grow to communicate with people and perform tasks effectively. The two will always remain compulsory areas of study, as they're basically the symbols of school and education in general. But little do we know that they are carried by two greater forces. The ingredients of existence. And interestingly these forces are two of school's smaller subjects. We know what they are.

'Short Vision' and 'Long Vision' are terms I came up with that refer to how we approach our lives. It's very similar to my 'Live Season/Seek Reason' idea, however it's more confined. 'Short Vision' is primarily the elements of existence along with the artistic practices and activities that occupy us throughout our lifetime. They can be jobs, careers, hobbies and even simple house chores. 'Long Vision' is existence in its entirety along with the meaning of it. Some of us try hard in working it out.

I tend to look at Art as something predominantly beautiful. A world that I never can take my eyes off. A world I'm always wanting to get lost in. But now and then I have to remind myself that there forever lingers a shadow of discomfort. That shadow being a representation of such conflict and controversy that can now and then divide our own kind. One of Art's greatest fundamentals is how it separates us from each other. While Science is what we all have to agree on, Art gives each of us an incredible power. A science of our own. It welcomes our nature as well as our approach to everything. It's why we don't all think alike and devote our attention to the exact same things. When I put it like this, it makes Art sound extremely friendly and wonderful. However, there hides a huge demon. The differences in our visions of life although necessary foundations of uniqueness, are also weapons we find ourselves frequently wielding against each other. Our beliefs and approaches to life from personality to practices, will clash with others. Unfortunately it is something that will likely forever stay with us. Best I can do is accept it and reason with all in a sensible manner.

I try hard to avoid things like politics and religion. I like to leave it in a set of dirtier hands. Never do I see myself capable enough to discuss such stuff, as I fear of the unpredictable reception and believe that even the smallest of moves would be me playing with danger. Yet, there is no escaping it. So how do I ignore it? When it comes to many issues, I fight to be a fence-sitter. I make measurements and search for the best points from both sides. Many say fence-sitting is nothing but a sign of weakness. I however, see it speaking more for my high level of smarts than my low level of courage. Of course there are still things I throw support to. Equal respect and rights for all, LGBT, cures for illnesses, protecting wildlife and friendly businesses. But when there is something I am not so sure about, I either ignore it or try to find the middle. That way there's much less friction between myself and the rest. My attention is always shifted to the side where I'm feeding my brain and senses with captivating stimuli.

It may sound silly, but I like to think this is one of the reasons for Art either having been stripped down to its core or remaining that way. When you ask most what they think of when the name 'Art' is mentioned to them, many would probably answer with associated words such as gallery or paintings. A few will either mention famous historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci or Vincent van Gogh. I don't blame them, nor do I think that should change. I mean who would want to lose something as structurally perfect as the Mona Lisa portrait in a sea of dissonance and hostility? Who would want any visual or auditory work for that matter, overshadowed by such a thing? I say the smaller makeover is worth it. It ensures much of art's finer facets don't get lost or forgotten within the dominance of any ugly head. It's important to give visual creativity the recognition it deserves. Especially considering how much time and effort is put in by these people.

I suppose in a way it's great to change how art is generally seen by people. It's probably been the best method to separate as much of the good from the bad and it shines the light on stuff we might not recognise if art was purely how I saw it. But I just like people to know that there always stands a part of the artistic world that turns its back on no one. None of us are a stranger to it. While Art is a paying job to those that officially follow its current body, we fail to see ourselves as the artists we can easily be. Anyone of the common people can bring something to the light and that something is always guaranteed to speak for their character. Sometimes it isn't just creating our own work, but embracing the work from those around us. Our favourite things can inspire us to express our nature in numerous ways. It can even build upon that and leave us learning something new. The broader picture may hold some dark issues, but all it takes is for one to think about what Art has done for them. It's the friend for all and the friend most forget they have.

Travis "TJ" James