Many people cringe at hearing the word "art." Why is that? No piece is created to scare an audience away. So, why do some people run at the simple thought of art?
This is not a question for the studio gurus out there or the art history buffs. Rather, I want to know what makes art so intimidating for others to face. I want to know both for those who are and who are not "in to art." I would love to hear any answer offered. Art is produced for the spectator and yet, most of the time, it is the spectators with a background in art who are still confused as to the meanings of certain works.
Every piece of art can relate to you, the college student, even though you may think otherwise. Art is emotional. It speaks to the viewer making him or her look closely at themselves, the people around them and society in general. Maybe that is why art is scary: It forces us to look at ourselves and reveal our deepest secrets, darkest desires or issues we'd never before realized.
Maybe it's the artist that terrifies us. Maybe it's the location of art's housing, for example, the museum or gallery space.
But if the location is the case of your anxiety with art, I have a secret for you. Art is literally everywhere. And I'm not just saying it because I, myself, am obsessed with art. I'm saying it because that is the truth.
Look at the person sitting next to you. Each article of his or her clothing is someone's artwork. Not only are the individual articles of clothing a work of art, but also the combination of materials they are wearing is that person's own artwork.
Look at the walls surrounding you, even if they simply are white. That is someone's work. If you're outside, look at the buildings, especially on this campus. The beautiful architecture of each and every building that could possibly be in your field of vision is someone's masterpiece.
Better yet, if you are outside, look at the trees, the leaves, the grass, the flowers, the plants, the shrubs, even the weeds. If you can find any on this campus, that is nature's masterpiece, staring us in the face.
Whether or not you want to believe it, art is all around us. So there's really no reason to be scared by it. A German abstract expressionist once said that, "The true work of art is born from the Artist: a mysterious, enigmatic, and mystical creation. It detaches itself from him, it acquires an autonomous life, becomes a personality, an independent subject, animated with a spiritual breath, the living subject of a real existence of being."
Take these words and explore the world of art. Delve into painting, drawing, sculpture, pottery, architecture, writing and any other possible art form. Don't be afraid to journey to Peeler, or any other gallery space nearby like Low Road, even if it is to just walk around in the building. Don't be uneasy in a museum or gallery, especially if it's because you want to impress that girl of yours by taking her to an exhibit.
Don't be leery of an artist and instead just talk to them. It will be one of the best conversations you've ever had and if anything, at least it will prove interesting. Most certainly, don't be fearful of art, even if you are only looking at the art of nature. Embrace it. Use it to your advantage and learn from it. Implement it in your everyday life.
— Chamberlain is a junior from Jasper, Ind. majoring in art history and English literature.
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