Art

How Art Impacts Our Lives: Connecting With Art

how art impacts our lives - Third Bay Coolum, Art-By-Simone

In terms of how art impacts our lives, there are numerous, varied and often exciting ways in which we interact with art.

According to Wikipedia “Art is a diverse range of human activity, and resulting product, that involves creative or imaginative talent expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas”.

I think we all have a different view on what art is and you can see my style of art here. But art has had a profound presence from early cave dwelling to contemporary society, peacefully or controversially capturing human behaviour.

The creation of art may have different intentions, from meaningful thought-provoking subjects or matters, to aesthetics: the appreciation of beauty. But the common link between the intentions is the desire to connect art to our lives.

Art can be expressed in our life through so many avenues, it is everywhere!  It is a testimony of the human condition. It incorporates all of our adversities, from love and beliefs to social justice. The way in which we observe our world, and every aspect of humanity, can be expressed through art. Everywhere we go, art is evident. Even the scientist Albert Einstein understood the way the energy of art can impact our life. He is quoted as having said, “Art is standing with one hand extended into the universe and one hand extended into the world, and letting ourselves be a conduit for passing energy.” Art can give meaning to life by helping us understand our world.

So, where do we see art in everyday life? Firstly, art can be expressed in many forms. Often categorised as ‘The Arts,’ it can be a very wide range of human practices of creative expression, storytelling and cultural participation. Different forms of art include painting, sculpture, literature, architecture, cinema, music and theatre. When we look at the different forms of art, we start to become aware of how broadly art is expressed around us! To touch on some examples, we see art in public places like sculptures in parks, murals in towns and cities, architecture in building designs, visual arts like painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and photography in museums and art galleries, performing arts like music, dance, drama and theatre in art centres and historical theatres and schools. We see art in our home through interior design, iconic furniture design, wall art, motivational art, travel art, photography, sculptures, and wall posters!

Art can tell a story, and it can be a reflection of your personality, an experience, a belief or a celebration. It can be not only expressed through topic but also through colour and design. In my opinion, the home in which we live is a reflection of our personalities; and an oasis for art to play a significant role by adding a personal touch to your space.

Art in the home can give comfort on so many levels. It can be a reminder of who you are, what’s important to you, and those you love. It can trigger positive memories of experiences, adventures and achievements through your life. It can also remind us to stay true, and be proud of our life journey so far. Personal art can be an essential design element when decorating your home, adding personality and bringing comfort to your space.

Art has the power to change human emotion. And when you understand the forms in which art can be expressed, you can see how deeply art can impact our lives and has done for centuries. Living with art and how art impacts our lives can teach us, guide us and simply bring us pleasure!

Alex Mileham