Art - Post 4

Reading these chapters made me really think about art, and although I would never call myself an artist, I do enjoy art and trying to figure it all out. While reading this though, it really came to my attention that we may never know exactly what the artist was trying to convey, or thinking or feeling, even if we asked them. Hughes says art “means one thing to the maker and another to the spectator” (90), and I agree with this statement dealing with more than just art, but rather everyday life. Everything we do is more important to us than anyone else, or is at least understood to the greatest level by us and no amount of explaining can ever really allow someone to think just like you. It’s interesting to ponder, considering we have best friends and spouses who may know us better than anyone in the world, but still do not know us like we “know us”. I wonder if this is a reason for creating art for some artists – to try and express what’s inside them and hope their creativity flows into understanding from the public. I think Hughes makes sense when saying that creativity can’t be complete until it’s brought into the public – how else would anyone know you were creative? Well, unless that’s not one’s aim – for others to realize their art – but rather for themselves to express it. I think sometimes we might not even know the complexity or repercussions of what we want to show to the world, but art gives us a way to make our feelings last, to look back and remember what we felt – whether we sculpt, paint, draw, etc. – the medium isn’t the point – it’s what’s expressed at that one moment that may never be recreated but is lasting, that’s important.