Art, Language, and Expression

In my university days, I had studied cultural anthropology. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with the degree, but I was drawn to studying cultures, people, social relations, and I wanted a better understanding of the world. Perhaps I had grown tired of the same restaurants, same friends, same jokes, and in general, felt like life had a lot more to offer. It was a bit of a risk to pursue a somewhat unpopular bachelor’s degree, but it opened some unexpected doors.

What’s interesting about languages, is that each one has it’s own idiosyncrasies and nuances that bring a whole new meaning to a set of emotions or description of something. In Korean, when one apologizes, it’s literally saying, “I’m uncomfortable” or “I feel bad.” In ancient Greek language, the word “sophrosyne” succinctly describes a lifestyle marked by moderation, discipline, and self-control, which bring excellence of character. In Japanese, there is a word simply for the act of vacantly looking in the distance with no thought.

Each language has it’s own story which is revealed thought language about it’s culture and the way it views an individual, society, and nature. We never know how big the world is until we are exposed to the unknown, which often calls for us to get out of our comfort zone. Many people like routine simply because it allows for simplicity. However, lack of life experience often leads to laziness, a lack of growth, and ignorance.

Art is just like language, each medium allows for its own unique expression. Multi-instrumentalists and those who explore a variety of boundaries open themselves up to new levels of expression as well as understanding. The beauty in art is found in the balance of technical skill blended with the personal touch of the artist, which brings something so personal that cannot be wholly replicated by another.

Sometimes, nothing is more frustrating than not being able to express what’s within. Feeling disconnected and unable to express one’s self can lead to depression and a sense of loneliness. The more engaged and connected into life we are, the greater the opportunity is to feel alive and understood. We’re not built to be islands, separate and protected from each other. Relationships and friendships bring a whole level of happiness just through simply connecting with someone else.

Art isn’t just a means for expressing one’s self, it’s a means to connect with others and encourage understanding - similar to expression through a spoken language. Art, however, is often more accessible to the universal community.

For similar related reading, please check out: Allowing Yourself to Make "Bad" Art.