For those who often come from a purely scientific background like engineering, medicine or IT, it seems to be very difficult to get convinced of not only the importance of visual art (especially painting), design and architecture but also of their complexity and the role they play in our daily life.
They ask me while doubting my objectivity as I insist on how fundamental they are; "what is the point?". They even go as far as saying "... I mean if there is no art, the world would be pretty much the same...". These are also the type of people who are too busy to notice or invest some time in adequate exposure to good quality works or designs. So I ask in my turn, isn't it also biased to judge based on an overly opinionated theory and assumptions having no actual connection or experience to get to know what art is and what it can do?
To illustrate my argument, I suggest that we begin by explaining the limitations of two
points that form the basis of their perspective before moving on to the more complex
aspects of the discussion. The first is a common misunderstanding of the line separating
art and science, which has been discussed in the works of Pallasmaa and Peter Zumthor,
clarifying the connections between neuroscience, art and architecture. The shared areas of
communication, influence and meaning in relation to the human being form the basis for
their argument around the significance of "life-enhancing details" and the spirit of place
that make architecture play an active and essential role on daily basis.
The second and more general point is a sense of entitlement charged with the mistaken
assumption that the world in all its complexities, diversity and mystical nature can only
be grasped by a single mode of logic, science, or the like. Those who had to work their
way through different languages know that having a variety of languages at hand
increases the ability to apprehend the world more and in different degrees and ways.
The translation is not always enough since there is a certain layer or level of meaning in
one language that just cannot be put into the words of the other. A logical question to
counter the advocates of singularity including those of pure logic; if one language is not
enough to fully absorb or embrace the world, so how come one way in our humble minds
will do?! But is it logic or is it the demand of overly simplified justification that they
ask for, which they perhaps chose in order to filter what eventually makes sense them?! Put in other words, seeking knowledge and arguing are two different ways that do not result in the same.
The difference that the underestimated works of art and architecture bring to our
existence and experience in the world is very much the same as that of particular details
that hold great existential value making a big difference encountered in the world of art.
For a better explanation, I invite you to take a careful look at a couple
of examples; the two paintings below are "Girl With a Pearl Earring" by Johannes
Vermeer and "Tänzerin Baladine Klossowski" (Merline) by Eugen Spiro. Now imagine that
the pearl erring is not in that beautifully framed painting or that the dress of the
dancer in the painting on the right doesn't have the extra layer of black chiffon. Do you
see the difference? Can you feel their importance?. I for one can tell another important
dimension of that difference and that is the awe that we get to indulge ourselves in. I have seen how dazzled the visitors of the Berlinische Galerie were, looking back and forth between the tactile model on the stand and that represented by the skilled hand which turned dense and dark paints into light, semi-transparent and delicate folds of fabric above the already dark dress in the middle of the painting.
Now that we have discussed the product, let`s discuss the producer. What makes those
artists put so much effort into adding that level of detail and refuse to stop before it
is complete?. Unfortunately, some of the practitioners in those disciplines themselves do
not fully realise the significance or the power that distinguish the "fruits of their labour"
and how the lack of successful communication reflects badly in its turn on the reputation
or the stereotype spread about their professions. This vicious circle seems to begin by
missing the "point" which is also particularly obvious when they allow their "labour" to be
"lazy"; that is to be satisfied with their works being superficial and devoid of depth and
meaning.
Some would argue, how about "less is more", and I understand where they are coming from
but the motto should not be misused to justify poor results that come from doing less. If
doing more is replaced with doing less and yet results in less ever so much, then doing more
becomes even essential; in the same way that sometimes happiness can only be gained by
making a vital effort.
To effectively get the point across, I will explain by focusing on an extreme case of how the
aforementioned professions serve an often forgotten group of the people (or persona within
people). People who went through habitual burnout, trauma and depression know how hard
it is to living and yet not feeling like you truly do for whatever reason that has left your
view of the world brutally altered. Something more like what Germans call "Weltschmerz"
or World Pain. Unlike what the majority might think, depression, for example, is not only
the result of a critical change in the body's chemistry, psychology and emotional wellbeing.
To be depressed is to stop seeing the beauty of this world or, to be more specific, your
world. It is not necessarily due to lack of company but it is always linked to a lack of
fulfilment, understanding, belonging and a desire to live that is painting your world all over
with the same brush to make it even less interesting. It is to push your mind to recognise
the good things and yet a stubborn child in you, who has been repeatedly put off and
disappointed, stands up to your face asking "What is the point?". Therefore, dealing with
the mental state of a depressed person is not only a tiring process but also full of risks.
Seeking treatment is certainly an essential step for recovery from depression, but the key
thing on which the success of the operation depends is the tendency to rebuild that natural
will to stay and stay here. Fortunately, while fixing what is in the mind is not always easy
or even accessible, fixing the input that is entering the body is not just about the right
diet but also the embodied perception of the world. Since the occasional arguing with the
depressed is almost like a labyrinth, there is a need for some other way to make his body
recognize, experience, and assimilate another view or meaning of the world, and that is
exactly the power of art and architecture.
Those who experience depression, know all the rational answers, for example, that they
are here to flourish the earth, they could even know the alarming statistics that
forecast a deterioration of the planet if a decline in the number of those who under 15
years old continues but still there is always something missing. Meanwhile, reading the
fantastic poem "The making of the beautiful" by Annie Johnson Flint offers another
dimension to consider about the powerful communication of art:
Not long after reading this amazing poem, I could not help but wonder, could this be it?!. Could it be the point not only of arts existence but of mine as well?!
The metaphorical picture of God`s creation similar to that of an artist in that poem made me realise that with all their uniqueness and complexities, humans to this world are just like the pearl earring to that painting. Rushing through the dictionary investigating the linguistic roots of theword "Bashar" which mean human in Arabic, I found that it is indeed related to whatever is pleasing and beautiful. Only then I realised that we are not here just to be working in this world, our existence is meant to beautify the world. It justifies a lot of other things to me, why for example, paintings of an empty desk under the tree look somewhat sad and incomplete, why the empty house or the city in a lockdown is just not the same. Only I have come to know this answer, in such depth, I started truly appreciating my existence, and that is the point.
I cannot stress enough that cognition is embodied and that humans can know things through
their bodies and not only their minds. The body is exposed directly to the qualities of these
great works that communicate powerfully and beautifully.
This is what helps in the healing journey for all of us in this world, including those who are struggling; an open, calm and welcoming invitation to offer a chance to taste a meaning or value by experiencing the world differently. By communicating the appreciation for their existence and making them reassured that their world still has something to offer which can change the way they feel significantly, they get to better experience life instead of feeling trapped here, and maybe finally they could realise that they themselves have something beautiful to offer, then...their world and the world of others will never be the same...