Reflections of Havergal: 1994-2019

Appendices

Art: The Key to Understanding Humanity BTI , December 2014 By Elizabeth Tam

Art is alluring. Art is stimulating. Art is controversial. Art is provocative. Art is infinite. Art is humanity. What is art? These three words have likely been the guiding question of every art course that has ever existed. As much as the question is overused, I feel that an answer will help you to see my point of view. This is my definition of art: anything that is captured visually. Anything. I believe things like music and dance deserve their own category. Further, any given visual can be explained, to some degree of profundity, by its observer. This explanation, in turn, says something about the observer. Every tiny detail of one’s reaction, one’s comments and one’s thoughts translates into something more. Hence, we’ve unlocked the secret message: art is the key to understanding humanity. Generally, people associate art with profound thinking and unnecessarily metaphorical connections. For example, I’m sure we’re all familiar with the “blue means sad” type of connection. This is one way of approaching the subject, but it is not die most significant. Often, it is the absurd, seemingly trifling comments that offer something new and interesting to the table. See, art consists only partially of the actual visual. The other half is all about reaction; and it is this reaction that tells us something, anything and everything about the observer. In other words, art is not only created by the “artist” but ‘ also by the people who observe it. So, what is it that tells us “something, anything and everything” about someone; and about you? To list a few... · What do you include in your definition of “art”? Do you create art? Can you create art? What do you like? What don’t you like? What are you exposed to? What makes you stare? What makes you cringe? What makes your throat tighten? What makes you think, “Yes! That’s me!”? What makes you go, “Oooh...”? What inspires you? What makes you feel insignificant? What changes your attitude? What asks you questions you don’t want to know the answers to? What makes you want to live? What makes you

want to die? What makes you want to think until you fall asleep? And what does all of this say about you? It speaks for your personality, for your lifestyle, for your attitude, for what makes you you. No, there is no chart, no survey that can list your definite personality traits, lifestyles, ambitions and attitudes based on artistic liking or disliking. There is no method of categorization because there is no way to categorize something as complex as humanity as a species, especially if the study is linked to only one aspect of life. Of course, descriptive nouns and adjectives exist to be used; but real, raw and candid opinions and forms of self-expression cannot ever really be intentionally realized or described in words. This is, in my opinion, why so much confusion and frustration comes with trying to self- categorize; a person is not possible to describe in a flowchart, but rather, a person is a medley of words and sentiments. Therefore, art is a key to understanding humanity as individuals, but only by the individuals themselves. The causes and effects between people and art are both nonexistent and limitless. Personally, I like directorial photography and finding art in reality. Directorial photography, a term I made up to describe my personal project,” consists of using everyday settings, objects and ideas to create scenarios that would never naturally occur. This is how I create art. On the other end of the spectrum, I see art in literally everything; every second I capture visually. I find the literal sense of vision to be artistic, whether it’s the chaotic aftermath that is my room, a notebook being filled with my half-cursive writing or the observable mix of stories and destinations that fill a TTC bus. I don’t necessarily love reality, but it contains an essence that can’t be transferred onto a screen. That’s what I call “art.” And although I detest conversations and situations that are profound in a cliche way, I love creating profound stories and formulating profound thoughts in relation to the art that I imagine, create and see. What all of this says about me, I’m not sure. Even if I was sure, I wouldn’t be able to put it into words. Lastly, here’s a challenge for yon: for the rest of the day, think art; whatever that means to you.

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