April 15 is indeed a memorable day. Do you know why I would say so? Yes, you guessed it right. On April 15 falls the birth anniversary of one of the greatest artists ever, Leonardo da Vinci. Hence let us today talk of "art matters", that is to say, let us explore both the meanings of the cryptic title; namely, 'art is important' and 'matters of/about art'.
Da Vinci is a great artist in my opinion because he thinks through art. Hugely excellent at very many facets of life, art is not mere fluff for him. Science, art, thought, imagination, rationality, emotions,realities, philosophy, theology such artificial barriers do not b(l)ind his creativity. His 'esemplastic' (as Coleridge would put it) vision welds all contraries in to a unified whole.
Art is this special experience in his kind of world. No wonder, he is known as a genius because art indeed is all that matters, and art matters consist of every facet of each intimate involvement in any art (and/or life) event.
Do not you believe me? Okay, let us look at music which most all love. Not everybody may want to write or paint or sculpt, for instance. In the whole wide universe though, you would not find a single soul who has never hummed, not even in the bathroom where the whoosh of the shower would dull the oral attack on music.
Well, music, if you notice, is a deep feel, a "bhav", to express which are created not merely musical instruments but the very 'bandish', made of 'shruti's, whose perfect maths must match methodically with a scientific precision to create the feel. Even in the folk form of music can one observe this deep emotion embellished by laya-sur-taal which are deeply lyrical yet astutely scientific.
Oh, yes, it is not only the artist who has to have a diamond like multi-faceted brilliance. Equally talented and full-faceted must be the audience. Only a good reader makes a great author. A good listener is the need of a gifted musician. See how art matters transcend all sorts of binaries? No wonder, art matters as it enriches everyone and everything involved.
This magic of art is not merely in a mehfil though. It is overflowing in the very verve of life. A good life well lived is great art, too. A meanie would always be a mini artist, right? So, in my opinion, every second strums with this full feel of art. The music of life never dulls, the poetry of be(com)ing never lulls!
Pratima@ Do prizes and awards matter in art? Well, yes and no. Who would hate recognition, right? Yet a true, committed artist never creates merely for this trophy or that cash bag either! Hence ART MATTERS!
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