This question was asked to me in an interview recently… and it really got me thinking about art and how we use it. So I want to ask you the same question. Why do you feel it’s important for artists to use their craft for projects that impact the world for the greater good? I know the photo represents using our art in Africa. But what about in the states or in our everyday life? Why should we do that? I think it’s an interesting question because it asks why. Sometimes it’s hard to articulate the WHY, right?
I would love to read your response to that question in the comment section.
May 18th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
I think that art speaks love in a “felt” way…I don’t know if that makes any sense, but an artist has such a unique gift to impact the world in a way that is so inspiring and creative. I think the people are much more open to art – it’s an amazing foot in the door to people’s hearts. I don’t know if that made any sense or if you could step inside my brain for a sec
May 18th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Well, we all want to make a difference.
I know that I do… and why not make a difference doing something you love.
And make a difference using something beautiful.
That’s a simple answer…
May 18th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Artists strive to make the world a more beautiful place – whether they do it directly through creating beautiful works or indirectly by creating disturbing works that makes people think and stop and do something themselves (like many deconstructist artists did).
Using art for the greater good is only taking one step further, nothing else. It is the logical consequence of the artist’s striving for beauty. The more I do for those around me (either those I know and can see or people I’ll never meet) the more beautiful the world I live in will be.
I think it is impossible for art not to save the greater good in SOME WAY.
May 18th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
Without sounding to “preachy” the reason why I feel that my art impacts people for the better is because it is the gift that God has given me, therefore it is the way that I know best to spread God’s love. Shining His light through my life to all of the people I come across with my business. That’s how I plan to make the world a better place… Thanks Promise for always inspiring me.
May 18th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
I can’t justify doing anything if it’s not for God’s kingdom.
May 18th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I think its important to use our gifts and talents as an artist for the greater good because they are exactly that, gifts. we are blessed with the ability and passion to see things in a different way than most, and we are able to express things in a way that others cannot. we can inspire and impact others in ways that no one else can. its important to share things with the world, and by expressing things through art you touch people on so many levels. i love being able to take my talents and gifts that God has given me, and be able to give back to the world with them. using them for a greater good in a unique way that is fun and creative. its such an amazing feeling.
May 18th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Art inspires people and allows them to look beyond themselves . . . I love using art to help and uplift the kids and families we work with in inner-city Atlanta — here’s what I do: http://thestanleyclan.blogspot.com/2010/03/very-special-photo-shoot.html and
http://thestanleyclan.blogspot.com/2010/03/revision.html
May 18th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Art, to me, is an international language. I think that art can be understood by anyone and everyone, especially when it’s used to interact with the public, or be used for the greater good. Art transcends a boundary nothing else can cross, as images, and the art itself can influence people on so many levels.
For my grade 12 art exhibition, I decided to do a project focusing on social problems, and ways to help. I got the opportunity to display it publicly, and interact with people as they viewed my pieces. It was such an eye-opening experience, seeing people react to what I had done, and then seeing the responses I got from people of all ages: everyone from ages 6 to 80 had a different experience with it, but they all took something away, and I think that’s the most beautiful thing about art.
Anyone can access it, and everyone can understand the message, or a message, if they look at it long enough. Art can change people, and it’s so amazing to have the power to change people through being an artist.
May 18th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I have a quote on my bedroom wall (but of course now I can’t remember how it goes, or find it online) that basically says that Justice is love taking a broken world and healing it, Art is love taking a broken world and making a new one. Something like that. I think Art is our chance to bring peaces of the most beautiful creations to light…the best part of peoples’ personalities through photographs, the pretties sunset we’ve ever seen through a painting, “music is the shorthand of emotion”-Leo Tolstoy… God is our creator, he created us to create, so it (creations) speaks to us in similar ways.
I went to Swaziland, Africa last year to photograph families with a parent who was dying of AIDS, to give them something to hold on to after the parent has passed away. That was a way I could use what God gave me, and use it to make someone else’s world a better one. We’re doing it again this year and I’m so stoked to bless the families again! http://www.razoo.com/story/Legacy-Books
May 18th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
I think whatever gift you have been given, you should use for the greater good. If you don’t, then what would you use it for?
May 18th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Art is the language of the heart. It is able to communicate every emotion that you can think of in a beautiful way. Pain, love, understanding, sympathy, longing, and camaraderie can all be understood through a painting or a song in a way that simply talking about it can not do justice. Because of this, it has the ability to move the hearts of others.
I know that when I listen to songs like “Albertine” or I see the art that has come out of the disaster relief for Haiti, I cannot help but want to help them. It allows me to connect with the hearts of people that I may have never met, which is incredibly powerful and humbling. It’s important for artists to recognize the power that they have to connect people like that.
May 18th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
We have to make the world a more beautiful place
But more than that, I think that everyone yearns to create something. I think it’s an innate quality that we got from our Father in Heaven (or whatever power or energy you believe in). The best thing we can do is to help others see that they too can create.
May 19th, 2010 at 7:15 am
I guess I would answer with another question, ‘Why not use art for the greater good?’. If you have the opportunity to create something that will better the lives, the days or even moments for someone else then why wouldn’t we strive to create something beautiful that will live on. The amazing thing about art is that it affects everyone a little differently and it lives on.
May 19th, 2010 at 7:46 am
Heather,
I find it rare that artists really go out of their way to create/give for a higher purpose. I have seen a lot of projects artists do, are done with the intention to further their business or career, gain exposure, or just show off what they can do. So, you are right, everyone should be asking the question you just did…. I think most don’t. Thoughts?
May 19th, 2010 at 7:47 am
Here are some of my thoughts on WHY:
Art and the ability to think outside of the norm inspires people. Creativity and artful images can pull emotion, thought, and ideas out of people that words sometimes can not do. In my opinion, the world will eventually look to creative people and art to inspire change. We can begin to start that now. By our passion and knack for beautiful presentation we can make old ideas into new ideas and begin to change the world. I am so excited to see what our future holds when humble and giving artists start to move and work together for the greater good.
May 19th, 2010 at 9:08 am
i just loved reading everyone’s responses on this!
May 19th, 2010 at 9:56 am
I believe art should inspiring and uplifting in a positive way. It should make people feel fresh and happy to start their day. It should make us want to be beautiful loving people. I think art can do that to people becaues positive, uplifting, beautiful artists inspire us to be that way also. When we see a stranger laugh its almost impossible not to atleast smile. I think art does that too. The more posive inspiring artists there are in this world the more beautiful the world will be come. That too me is working for a greater good. Making the world we live in a beautiful place is an art project everyone can work on. Furthermore art is something all people can understand. Music, photography, painting, building, planting, cooking are all things i consider art. Everyone is this world loves one of thoes things if not more. Connecting the world with such a common interest is also working for a greater good. Art is powerful so we should use to to make a change. (which is why i belive art sould be positive, when we omit postive we get positive. when art becomes dark, depressing and sad we are omitting all thoes emotions, not spreading joy and beauty, which is working against a greater good.)
Ok ive said enough
May 19th, 2010 at 11:11 am
As pastor i have some great ideas but i need people who are more artistic than myself (or else i look like a poser). If anyone is interested in hearing my quest in carving a way for christian artist to spread the gospel, hit me up.
May 19th, 2010 at 11:26 am
I think it is so important for artists to use our craft to impact the world because artistry is one of the most effective tools to move the soul. And when souls are moved, lives are changed. Think about it. What stirs the depths of your soul?
I believe this is true because we are all created by the ultimate artist and designer in history. All are made and created in His image, and because of that, we are all connected to creativity and design. Why do you think music and arts are so powerful to so many people? Because it connects somewhere deep within us. Because we are all made to be creators in some way.
When we use our creativity to point to a greater story, we are fully living. We are inviting others to join the story of God and live out there creative dreams that live in all of us.
May 19th, 2010 at 11:28 am
One of my favorite examples is Jeremy Cowart http://www.jeremycowart.com/. His recent trip to Haiti brought that struggle to my front door and to my heart. It not only changed my world it ROCKED it. In one of the photos he had shared he found an artist who was making the tent city a bit more beautiful with his art at the same time as asking for help with his art. Any gift God gives us can be used to His glory even amongst an earthquake torn country.
May 19th, 2010 at 11:30 am
i think art is the deepest representation of who we truly are. and the best that we can do is share it with others. <3
May 19th, 2010 at 11:57 am
When I started out on my ‘business’ adventure as being a ‘professional’ artist it became quickly evident that I could be morbidly unhappy. Taking work for the sake of money was unfufilling and was unsettling in my soul. Then I realized that my reasons for doing what I had originally loved were all wrong. I realized that this was someone’s story I was telling, through a visual medium. These stories will be cherished for possibly generations, and I was the one there who was capturing what was being told. Thank God for that wake up. I really think if all artists had a mindset similar to what I experienced, how could good not come out of it? Sure, we can donate, raise awareness, publish sob stories, but if our hearts aren’t in the right place when we are doing such a thing… I think our efforts will fail to speak the right message. Whoever spoke of Jeremy Cowart, you couldn’t have chosen a better artist as an example. Following his twitter feed during that time,it was evident his heart was broken and torn for the people of Haiti… He wasn’t just there to exploit pain and agony so he could make a buck. So I guess, with ALL that to say, the greater good happens only when an artists heart is in the right place, for the right reasons. Then after that, the doors can be opened for the greater good.
May 19th, 2010 at 11:58 am
As a photographer and an occupational therapist, I’ve seen it’s impact on many people…..everyday people like me all the way to a child with severe CP…..it’s the one thing that we can all do to express who we are uniquely in whatever form or whatever media that may be ….and it be meaningful. It provokes people to be vulnerable to their own emotions….causing, hopefully, an awareness of others….this is where I think the greater good comes in.
May 19th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Some great comments here, Katie’s and Promise’s are probably closest to my views. I believe that art, in its many different forms, can help tell powerful stories that impact people at an emotional level. In a world where “the news” is owned by a handful of conglomerations, independent “story tellers” are becoming increasingly important.
May 19th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I think people can hear words from speeches all day and it be like a broken record. To third world countries, we give a check or money (not downing that at ALL) and that’s that. But then there’s art. You can’t duplicate a piece of art. You can’t prepare for viewing a work. Your eyes see it and whatever feeling that piece of art conveys is like no other. It’s not some same-ol, same-ol. It’s a unique, one-of-a-kind feeling that is unforgettable.
For this reason, art can have such a great impact. To feel loved, comforted, at peace, whole, forgiven, and wanted in a way that words or money could never describe is exactly what art can do and is doing for the world.
An artist with a purpose, passion, and determination cannot fail to share what they want everyone to experience through their art.
May 19th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Interesting topic. Thanks for the brain stretch. Promise, you’re one of a kind.
May 19th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Because artists understand things on a deeper level. Art impacts us all every day in different ways. It makes us feel, shows us all our different perspectives, and is a visually way to tell someone “I support this, I care for this.” Its a visual way to impact. The tongue lies. Its like with photography; it has an impact on how we view something or shows us true emotion. It shows us how our help impacts, like with a happy child or a crying child. The tongue can tell us “there are children hungry and crying over there, but with your help it brings smiles on their faces”, but art SHOWS us what our help does.
May 19th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
I think, like some have said, we should use our art to help people see. The “good” you are trying to do has a story. A problem, a solution, a challenge to rise to the occasion, a hope. Art explains that. Pictures or lyrics or any art can tell a story and open people’s eyes, if you will, in moments that would take much longer to read about. I mean, reading the sentence “California homes were destroyed by wildfires” is sad, but seeing a picture of it pulls emotion out of you. You stare, you remember, it’s in your head. Art moves people and helps them be emotional about fact.
May 19th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
I love Casey’s response. Art has a way of touching people. Nothing is more encouraging to me than knowing my art has made a difference or inspired someone else….
It really is what keeps me going.
May 22nd, 2010 at 7:29 am
I remember a time when I was wandering through life, just really in need of something more. I felt so empty and purpose-less during this period of time and it was soul-crushing. I then became very, very inspired by a couple of photographers I found online. Their works sparked something within me and I have never been the same since. I think art can help people find their place, give them meaning, give them hope, and inspire them.
May 29th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Why else were we put on this world but to create?
Our creations help spread messages across the globe. We share thoughts, expressions & emotions. ♥ its a lovely way to connect.
June 13th, 2010 at 11:02 pm
i think when it all boils down..we were created to create. we are doing one of the most empowering things we can for ourselves and others when we put our selves in a place to do that. when we create with others, not ourselves in mind, we are loosing a part of our selfishness and in turn we get filled with such a supernatural joy. as an artist, i want to leave this world having passed on my vision, my creative-ness to the next generation. but that takes me, taking the time to invest in others.