Art: A portal into the mysteries of the mind

Art: A portal into the Mysteries of the Mind

and a way to Bring it out into the World
Alicia Wilson
FRINQ: Portland State University

Art: A portal into the mysteries of the mind

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Abstract

During winter term of Work of Art, we analyzed the various standards and beliefs about art. We
read a few books, But is it Art? By Cynthia Freeland, and What is Art for? by Ellen Dissanayake.
We also viewed some various other art forms, such as art from the Museum, movies, live
performances, gardens, and parks. The entire term we discussed one question, what is art?
through various subtopics. This essay explores the personal interpretation and belief of what art
means, why we need it, and how it's a reflection of the world around us. I feel that art is not just
an expression as an individual, but it's more like an exploration of this individual's inner mind. I
don't believe everyone is an artist, because some people are able to understand most things
through other forms. We definitely need art, so that society as a whole can work. I feel like each
artist is so different than the next, even if they use similar style, because each piece is like a
thumbprint, unlike any other.
Keywords: art, artists, creativity, mind

Art: A portal into the mysteries of the mind

Art: A portal into the Mysteries of the Mind

and a way to Bring it out into the World
You walk through a museum, and see Van Goh's Starry Night; it's so simple, yet you can't
seem to look away. You watch a performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and you're so
full of emotions, and you put yourself in their shoes. You listen to Symphony No. 9 by
Beethoven, and it's so complex you don't even know what to think of it. It feels like you can only
appreciate each of these works to a certain extent, because there's no way you can even imagine
the thought process or how each individual could have made such a masterpiece. It's hard to tell
how they were feeling, what influenced them, and if they knew that so many people would view
these pieces so many years later. Sometimes you wonder if you'd ever be able to create
something that seems like only geniuses could produce. These artists had a certain level of
creativity that pushed the boundaries and allowed them to explore their own world in a way that
people found so unique. There's so many factors that play into this, such as family, friends,
obstacles, and resources. Individual's use their creativity and outside resources to explore their
mind in such a way that creates something so unique that allows that individual to find where
they belong, as well as inspire others to do the same.
Art begins at a very simple concept, biology. Everything starts with basic things most can
see, understand, and define. Dissanayake (1988) discusses the different behaviors of art and how
they explain what art is about. She mentions that people focus on making special, which just
means that people want to create something new and novel that goes away from the normal.
They are constantly trying to be unique so that they can stand out from the rest. Dissanayake
(1988) goes into detail about how natural selection plays a big role in this idea, such that certain

Art: A portal into the mysteries of the mind

genes are preferred in the evolution of humans. When someone excels in the making of art, they
are seen as desired and many others want to be like them. It's very similar to peacocks, who flash
their unique feathers, in hopes of attracting a mate. The other peacocks are curious, and may
want to try to compete by showing off what their unique capabilities are. Makeup can be seen as
an art, and many people use it to attract a mate, similar to peacocks. This imitates the idea of
making special, so that the individual can catch the attention of others, in a unique way that
stands out. This is a human trait that can only explain so much, and is only one the many reasons
that art occurs.
Another idea from Dissanayake, is the importance of emotions as a behavioral reason for
art. Emotions are often changing so rapidly, and it's hard to say how you'll feel the next day, let
alone in an hour. Humans possess this set of feelings, that are often hard to explain. The biology
behind emotions relate to certain chemical levels in the brain, as well as interactions of these
chemicals that make certain people very mellow, while others are sporadic and unpredictable.
People tend to react to outside conditions by interpreting how something makes them feel. When
certain things happen in one's life, people try to make sense of the situation, and tend to feel one
way or another. Many people turn to art to try to interpret these emotions, and feelings. They
convey these emotions in their artwork in an attempt to connect to others, by either creating
something that makes their audience feel that way, or by bringing out natural emotions. Freeland
(2001) talks about certain aesthetics in art that tend to be very controversial, as they aren't
standard, typical beauty. She discusses artists, such as Goya, who seems to have plunged into
bleak hopelessness after a horrific illness left him deaf (Freeland, 2001, P. 24). He also
experienced war, and death in gruesome detail, leaving him with lots of anger, despair, and no

Art: A portal into the mysteries of the mind

true way to understand what's happened around him. Many of his images show grotesque details,
such as lots of blood, hangings, and decapitation. This might have been his way of trying to get
all the images out of his mind, and possibly trying to make sense as to why such terrible things
can happen. He also may have wanted his viewers to understand, and feel the same way he did.
Many singers and songwriters write music that expresses emotions. People who listen to these
songs feel so strongly about the song, because it makes sense to them, and they can relate to the
lyrics. I know that personally, a song can explain how I'm feeling in a way that I can't explain in
my own words. Sometimes, it inspires me to want to write something of my own. There's so
much going on inside one's mind, that it's nice to have an outlet to explore the multitude of
emotions.
The human mind confounds people, as it's so intricate for a 3 pound organ. The brain is
responsible for so many aspects of life, ranging from basic functions to unexplained phenomena,
such as creation of art. There's not really one specific reason for the creation, and sometimes
there isn't really a true reason, and it just goes unexplained. I do feel like art is one of the ways
that someone tries to explore their own mind. Sometimes, if you stay up past your bedtime, and
you're mind starts going to weird places, and you wonder how universe was created. There's not
really an answer that can satisfy you, so you begin to paint, and things start to feel a bit better.
There's no way of explaining why, but you're able to to take whatever you've been thinking about
and make something physical that you can see. It's only a start, but you can finally go back to
reality. It looks pretty, but there's some substance to it, and you can't put your finger on it, and all
your friends are in awe, and can't put words to it, but they understand. Freeland explains that
Kant believes, To make beautiful art requires human genius, the special ability to manipulate

Art: A portal into the mysteries of the mind

materials so that they create a harmony of the faculties causing viewers to respond with
distanced enjoyment (Freeland, 2001, P. 14). I don't believe anyone can be an artist, because
there are certain qualities of art that require some sort of genius. Artists must be able to first,
interpret what is going on in their own mind, which is muddled with daily activity, as well as all
of these unexplained mood swings. Then, the artist uses the tools they have, or find tools, that
can help them create what they find in their mind. The last step requires these people to make
something that doesn't necessarily have to make sense to others, but inspires them to make sense
of their own mind. The goal of a true artist should be to make sense of the craziness in their own
mind so that they can begin to understand the things around them, which is also a set of
influences that contribute to their art.
Dissanayake describes the unique human capabilities: Often one particular characteristic
is chosen to be called the crucial factor in humankind's evolutionary success. More accurate, I
believe, is the recognition that none can be considered apart from the others: they developed
together, contributing to and influencing each other (Dissanayake, 1988, P. 111). He is
explaining the factors that set humans apart from most animals. We are able to work together,
and interact to create a way of living, that can also be changed and adapted. Humans are able to
communicate, and because of this, we can adapt as a whole in order to survive. I find it
interesting how individual humans can influence one another to create a community that
expresses certain qualities that can be set apart from others.
Art is such a culturally specific concept, because it expresses a personal identity that is
influenced by our surroundings, especially culture. Culture can be described as the collective
aspects between a group of people. It directly affects these individuals, because if they don't

Art: A portal into the mysteries of the mind

interact much with anyone outside their group, it completely defines who they are. However, if
they are able to accept other cultures, they can co-mingle and can help create a melting pot of
various cultural aspects. Specifically, when it comes to art, these cultures can have so many
different views on what art is when it comes to beauty, talent, and if it is actually art. Many
primitive societies don't see art the same way western civilization sees it. Many take part in what
we would see as art, such as dance, dress, and singing, but they see it as daily ritual. They also
can't grasp the concept that people would make things to decorate or express some form of inner
interpretation. These societies strongly believe in communal activities as a whole, instead of
individualistic. Westerns societies emphasize the individual, encouraging self interpretation.
Williams (2002) mentions a Turkish officer who is shown an image of a horse. The officer is not
able to recognize what he's looking at. He doesn't understand how it can be a horse, because he
can't move around it, and doesn't see the entire horse. The culture of the officer has halted him
from seeing this image, because representational images are forbidden in Turkey. Each culture
will see things in a different way, whether drastic as the above example, or more subtle in the
focus on different kinds of beauty.
In America, we see beautiful art that follows certain guidelines that can be seen in our
media. If you look in American magazines, you see very thin models, surrounded by beautiful
beaches, next to a handsome, dark man. These beauty standards are specific to our culture, and
time period. Freeland (2001) explains, Aquinas theorized that Beauty was an essential or
'transcendental' property of God, like Goodness and Unity., Human artworks should emulate and
aspire to God's marvelous properties. The medievals followed three key principles for beautiful
creations like cathedrals: proportion, light, and allegory (Freeland, 2001, P. 38). Beauty during

Art: A portal into the mysteries of the mind

the time of Thomas Aquinas focuses on religion, and the beauty and power of God. There was a
spiritual aspect that was sought after in art, such as the cathedrals, and religious paintings
depicting stories from the Bible. Cultures differ from one another, but even within culture, there
are a few factors that can influence one individual to create something completely different from
another.
Everyone grows up differently, whether it be who raises you, or the environment you
were raised in. Some people are raised by very patient individuals, but may have little to no
money, whereas others may be raised by very rigid individuals, but have lots of money. Because
of this, certain people may have access to tools or materials to make artwork. Special paper,
paints, and other art supplies do cost money, and sometimes the artwork is affected by the quality
of such materials. The artwork that sprouts from this situation can be very similar to that of
typical museum art, where the beauty is in the details, and specific application of technique.
Other people use what tools they have around them, and sometimes this lends to more creativity.
Other times, it can lead to art such as graffiti; the artwork turns into an expression of unfair
opportunity, and the individual wants to express their emotions towards this inequality.
Freland (2001) touches on this unfair advantage of some over others, especially in the
regard of women in the art field. She touches on the fact that women are a minority, and they
tend to be dismissed when it comes to art; they are only seen as a muse or they just create art in
their free time. Apparently, there is no way that a woman could be an artist, and have such a
genius mind to create something so beautiful. They are only seen as beautiful, which can be an
insult in many ways. Women are individuals who have emotions and thought just as much as
men do, and can interpret these into a piece of artwork that can show others the beauty and

Art: A portal into the mysteries of the mind

intellect that occurs in woman's brains. Women are constantly pushing the boundaries, and
encouraging one another to pursue whatever they please. The beauty of art leads to this idea,
where everything is constantly being pushed towards a creative explosion, where everyone's
minds come together to question the society that was put together by the generations of the past.
There are so many reasons why we need art, but a few main reasons are for the
therapeutic effect, as well as the sense of reality you grasp from it. Earlier, I mentioned the
scenario of trying to understand how the universe was created. I feel like when you create
something that attempts to answer a question, you can rest your mind at ease, and begin to
understand things through your own eyes. Art can be like a final step in problem solving, because
sometimes thoughts alone don't help, and neither does discussion. Artwork helps to tie things
together; it involves creativity which takes a new and innovative way of looking at something,
and can lead to a brilliant discovery. Art is like the end of the maze: you run through the
confusing parts (your mind) and once you find your way out, you've finished something so
complex and unique and sometimes you can't do it again. But the excellence of art is that you
have something that you can share with others. This allows you to share your own view of
reality, and in a way, you can teach others certain aspects of life that you may have figured out.
Sometimes, the audience does not understand at all, but other times they are inspired to go
further into their own mind to try to go through their own maze.

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Resources

Dissanayake, E. (1988). What is art for? Seattle: University of Washington Press.

Freeland, C. A. (2001). But is it art?: An introduction to art theory. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Lewis-Williams, J. D. (2002). The mind in the cave: Consciousness and the origins of art.
London: Thames & Hudson.