I recently came across a petition to save the Watts Towers Art Center from closure. (Or was it privatization? I could never determine which one.) I was prepared to write a letter advocating the societal benefits of art and other feel-good notions, but decided against it because of the aforementioned confusion. (After all, nothing undermines an argument more than ignorance of the basic facts!) In the end, I simply signed the petition, which may have ultimately contributed to this most recent bit of good news--for now anyway.
The whole ordeal got me thinking of the importance of art and why an institution like the Watts Towers Art Center should even exist in the first place, let alone be saved. As a left-brainer lacking artistic talent, I've never held art in very much high esteem. I mean, don't get me wrong. I've always sensed the importance of art and I knew I'd never want to live in an art-deprived society. But I had no concrete explanation for why I held these convictions, other than the non-argument that art has been around since the dawn of humanity, so it must hold some kind of cultural significance.
But then I thought about the manual dexterity skills a child hones during the creation of a visual arts project that could one day benefit his or her career as a surgeon, as an artisan, or even as a neuroanatomist working in a lab like mine. Later, I imagined the oratory skills developed in a drama class that could one day aid our future civic leaders, trial attorneys, and social rights advocates. Finally, I imagined the visuo-spatial skills involved in learning a dance routine and the mathematical skills enhanced through learning music. Taken together, these skills, when nurtured in youth, have the potential to benefit the overall physical and mental health of future generations who will possess the competencies to keep our society functioning productively and innovatively.
Then I thought about the phrase "History is written by the victors." If that is the case, then artistic expression is one way for history's "great unwashed" to contribute our account of historical events. Given the area that the Watts Towers Art Center serves, it's even more imperative that the community's youth have a place where they can develop the artistic skills to create our future cultural heritage and give their descendants a more complete and accurate version of the historical record.
And then I stopped thinking and started looking--at art! I figured it would be enlightening to see how art affected me, personally, in order to understand how it affects people in general and, thus, benefits society.
So if you'll continue to indulge me. (Ahem):
Art and How It Affects Me
I know one thing about art: I like what I like. And this is what I like:
Nice vibrant primary-colored pieces that are easy to understand and predict. I also like images that evoke certain emotions, like the far too often neglected need to reconnect with nature:
Or the desire to live in the lap of luxury.
Certain imagery just interests me, like the prospect of dining in the midst of an aquarium (although I'd hate to be there in the event of an earthquake!)
Some art just leaves me marveling at the feat of it all, like these two pieces:
Now, I don't like wasting food (and I have the waistline to prove it!), but you have to admit these are pretty remarkable. (The first picture employs an impressive use of salmon, potatoes, bread, and a pea pod, among other things.)Of course the sight of food meant for consumption is artistic in its own right. After all, I do love food. (And I have the waistline to prove it!) Knowing what these foods taste like is enough to keep me emotionally transfixed by the sheer sight of the images. Soul food particularly hits home for me.
Unfortunately, these and many other soul food images tend to take on a bit of a brown hue. African Americans do tend to cook the color--and thus the nutrients--out of foods like vegetables and fruits (which makes them taste so damn good!) Anyway, if you're looking for a more colorful culinary display, feast your eyes on these puppies:
Sure they're unhealthy, but they are colorful. Oh, please excuse me while I
Okay, on to another one of my favorite things: kittens! I love kittens (and I have a house full of cats to prove it! Okay I'll stop.)
Honestly, this image is so cute, it doesn't need an explanation. (And anyone who doesn't already find the image appealing would never be persuaded by any rationale I could offer.) The same goes for this cutie patootie:
Moving on.
I just thought the above image was interesting. I don't know what kind of statement the sculptor was trying to make with this. All I know is that if you replaced Lenin with Reagan and threw in a gun somewhere, you'd have Orange County (or any of the lesser known California counties or like-minded regions throughout the nation, which is why I stay away from those areas at all costs!)Finally, we come to this interesting conversation piece.
I'd never want to touch anything like this, let alone pay to install one on my door. But it did capture my attention enough to include it in this post!
Okay, so after viewing all of these images, I'm not sure I have anything more profound to say about the importance of art. Simply put, these images affected me in one way or another. And someone generated them in the first place. The fact that they chose to create these particular images means that they were affected by them too. So I guess, at the risk of sounding kooky and "new-agey," art allows the soul of one stranger to connect with another in a certain way, and there's an inexplicable yet undeniable beauty in that. If art has the power to connect us to one another, it would be a shame to deprive future generations of this transcending cultural asset, especially in a blighted area like Watts. So while I may have had doubts before, I'm a firm believer now. I'll always lend my enthusiastic support for the arts and for institutions like the Watts Towers Arts Center. Which reminds me--I need to pay the Towers and the Center a visit!
On that happy note, I bid you
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