When I Get Where I'm Going

Writers. Actors. Singers. Dancers. Painters.

Artists are known for their creativity, freedom, and thought-provoking pieces. With art, there are no rules (maybe a few, but no major ones other than don't plagarize). Things are clear-cut and uncut and people shout "Cut!" And they can do it all at once (must drive those who live by logic bonkers).

Art throughout the USA is suffering great cuts in the school system. Physical Education is getting hit as well, which is silly as well because studies have shown the enourmous benefits from daily exercise. I saw a post that once read "'I so regretted that work out.'" -said no one". Plus everyone could use some extra dopamine, energy, and weight-loss these days. When I was in high school, I didn't mind that art was being cut. I never could draw anyways and it didn't affect me any. The only art I took was Choir from grades 7-9 and Drama in 8th grade. It's a shame I didn't reach enlightenment earlier as well as a shame that my school had a poor arts program to begin with. It was as though I was taught the unimportance of art in society through my teachers. And now it's all but gone. A mere memory in this time-centered rush-rush world.

Where would the world be without art?

• Alan Alda described it as a gray place.
• Electric Company Theatre (ECT) posed this question to me via an online article. The author never penned out the question; it was more like ECT's statement or goal/purpose of their theatre. They put on plays that exhibit the artist's role in society. Reading about it blew my mind for some reason. I suddenly understood that artists were in every nook and cranny of the world and that we cannot forget them, we just forget to look for them. Artists have played a role in shaping humanity and promoting us to higher forms of thinking. Without them, the world the stage is empty. Life is not a stage, but a dull, monotonous robot.

Truth is, we need art like we need air. Pretty much everyone is in possession of a television. And what's on television? Actors! Ideas! And a little bit of news and weather. The occasional channel might play music. People would be lost without their precious sitcoms or reality shows to entertain them. Technology is taken for granted that if we were to lose power, the world would be lost. They'd actually have to amuse themselves and think for themselves. Maybe they'd have to go outside or be a productive member of society. What they fail to realize is that art helps to challenge us and bring outside our comfort zone.
Through movies especially, it gives the viewers a chance to explore and experience something they never will be able to in reality. And hopefully learn a lesson along the way. One can never really forget that moment in your history class when you see footage of protestors being beaten and shot point-blank or emerging literally bone-thin Holocaust victims who barely look human because of their received inhumane treatment or terrorists burrowing inside and bringing down the World Trade Center in an avalanche of dark gray smoke. That shock can rock one to the core and the images cannot be unseen or shaken off. They remain with a hard-learned lesson that hopefully history never repeats.

The artist and his/her art is underappreciated. If we're not part of their world, then we--the artists--don't exist or aren't important. Some people don't dabble with the arts because it's not all sunshine and daisies. People don't read certain books because they don't believe in the matter the story may focus on. Or they believe they're smart enough and don't need to read or perhaps they prefer a physical work-out instead of a mental one. If non-artists/non-art-appreciators happened to go to a play that made them uncomfortable, chances are that they won't ever return because they'll associate going to the theatre with an unpleasant emotion. Dealing with music requires unheard of--except by those who study it--extraordinary elements. There are so many layers and rules for all types of music. By studying them, musicians learn the do's and don'ts and the don'ts are the ones that sometimes have to be broken to stand out. Dancing is tough work and it takes more time and dedication and discipline than most have the patience or strength to endure. Weeks of prepartion for a some nights of near-perfection. I've heard from many people that the ones who can draw are talented but that their work wouldn't ever make them money. Money shouldn't determine happiness. Look at the artists who sculpt, paint, build sets, create book covers, illustrate, or work on animation for films and television.
Apologies for the cynicism, but people are pompous because they refuse to broaden their world-view and remain open-minded.

Like any other brainwashed teenager in my community, I thought art existed for entertainment or an escape. Fun fact: People went to the movies in the early days to 1) sit in the air-conditioning for several hours 2) get news and 3) to escape the pandemonium of reality. I'm sad to admit that I was always scared to stand up for what I believe in. I was scared of getting my name pinned to something negative if I gave voice to something where it could come back to bite me in the butt. That was high school.

Now that I'm in college, my world has been opened up. I'm involved in Theatre and seeing plays and living the sensation of being challenged and exposed to ideas and issues. I also read like nobody's business. If it's a good read, that is. I enjoy books almost more than I enjoy reality at times. When I'm angry or bored or need to escape from my parents, I still immediately hit the books and dive into a world with a meaning and a message. I immerse myself in the stories just like I immerse myself in movies which is why I get so attached to the characters and storyline and may cry at intensely happy or sad moments.

Artists are quite intelligient. They have their own language and know society's language too. They also understand how greatly appearances matter. Presentation is subconsciously taken into account no matter how unbias people say they are. This feels insufficient as to what could be said about the artist. They matter, just like lawyers, politicians, scientists, service-providers, the common worker. What artists represent, however, is that one never can or will stop learning. That what makes the world complex is not only the people but the intangible ideas and beliefs that no one person knows all of. There's so much knowledge and mystery in the world that it would take several lifetimes to even scratch the surface of comprehending it all. The wonder of the universe and each individual interpretation is what makes life interesting and worth exploring because through that we find purpose, some truth, some peace, and some happiness. Nothing is guaranteed yet expect everything.

Make life beautiful and enjoy every minute.