Observing Art versus Creating Art
Art enhances our well-being. Let me make a distinction between observing art and creating art. Would you agree that there is a difference between going to a museum and observing the mastery of artists versus taking out a paintbrush and creating art yourself? What about in the field of music? Listening to a classical piece in a concert hall is different than creating music with any instrument or your own voice. Attending this year’s MMS Chautauqua, I was reminded of this distinction. What struck me was the different value I received from listening to music and from creating music, even with as rudimentary an instrument as a plastic tube. Gary Muszynski from One World Music did a wonderful job orchestrating the different colored tube sections. Take a look at the video below or click here: Art Creation in the Making I had such a fun time creating music this way. The metaphor about the orchestrating I do with my clients in group work was not lost on me either. I had just used that metaphor while on our Renewal and Reflection Retreat in France one week before. When I work with groups I conduct, much like a conductor of a philharmonic orchestra. Sometimes I need to delay or encourage, emphasize or silence a bit. Come to think of it, aren’t we conducting our lives as well? What do you need to emphasize or silence a bit?
Daniela:
Thank you for the kudos. I appreciate the distinction between making art and consuming it or being a spectator. I do think both are valid and valuable. In our culture though, we tend to only encourage those activities which we are good at. In the process we miss out on the learning process, on experiencing beginner’s mind. Great blog posts here… Bravo!