Name-calling As Art

What's in a name -- recognition?  Power?  Understanding?  Without attempting a scientific explanation, I will say that when I can call something by name -- whether a person, place, or thing -- I feel more confident about that thing.  I have pinpointed it, which results in a very real sense of satisfaction.

Art is a way of naming how we experience something.  It helps us to reason, to make sense of our world, giving rise to the phrase, Ahh, I see it!  To belittle or in any way treat art as merely an object -- something that can be provided or not, in public schools; something that can be made accessible or not, to poor people; something that is possessed and purposeful only to the extent that it is personally beneficial -- is a tragic misunderstanding of ourselves.

We are intrinsically artistic, having the ability to label our experience using words, paint, clay, movement, instruments, touch, textiles, song.  Our insistence on making art, of naming our experience through various means, will maintain our humanity and will provide a sense of satisfaction that just may see us through every difficult circumstance.


Copyright 2013 by Dianne Durham