Art Appreciation

Art Appreciation - How to enjoy the Arts - How to appreciate art. This is an article about how I've found my passion and little niche in the art world and how I've discovered that they are all connected. Learning to appreciate the art is a pleasure and a joy; it is fulfilling and not as hard as some make it out to be.

Why are the arts so important? Why should you support the arts?

I've always been a lover of the Arts. I enjoyed literature, history, musicals, ballet, vocals ... I also loved to sing, dance, write, paint and decorate. I appreciate elegant design. I liked most of the rest: Art history, painting, drawing etc. However, it was only recently that I discovered they are somewhat related to each other. The ballet and the opera, The ballet and literature, music and the musical theatre, dance and music, design and the stage, art history and architecture etc.

I don't know about you but I've always felt 'Art appreciation' had a snobby reputation. There are pretentious people out there who seem to go on and on about some painting or artist or opera. They don't speak everyday language. And if you're ever caught in one of those conversations that seem to fly over your head, all you wish for is the ground to open up and swallow you in.

I was one of them. I didn't get a chance to study art history in school, though I did my fair share in going to museums and trying to read and understand more about them.

To me, I wasn't trying to be sophisticated nor am I really motivated by hoping to speak the 'arts' lingo. I was genuinely trying to understand why these artists were so great. I tried all sorts of things. I looked online, I read books in the library and considered signing up for several expensive Art Appreciation Courses. While all these things are good, I didn't feel the love and at the of the day, I just didn't get it.

So I moved on and went on with my life.

However, I later discovered my little niche in the arts world and it propelled my art appreciation progress naturally. I've since realized that there's a place in the art world for everybody - art is for everyone - it is just a matter of finding an entry; or a small component of the art world that means something to you.

What exactly is Art Appreciation?

Learning to recognize the timeless qualities simply means that you start exhibiting these timeless qualities and in a way, grow more beautiful (though not just for that reason, but read on).

Art Appreciation: A Sign of 'Richness'

Should we ignore the arts then, if we don't seem to understand it? Definitely not! Why?

If you look around you in wealthy countries, the first few signs that a country is doing well is when the Arts scene is flourishing. For the arts scene to flourish, the people in those lands have to have a sense of art appreciation and value it by their support. Similarly, among the refined, cultured (not necessarily the people who have a lot of money) group of people, most of them are involved in the arts one way or the other.

Admittedly, some get involved in the arts because of tax, networking and socializing reasons. However, this article is focusing on the benefits, love, joy and great fulfillment in enjoying the Arts.

The Arts can be anything from music, paintings, dance, vocals, opera, plays, theatre, musicals, literature etc. Now, this is a general definition but I'm not here to discuss what constitutes 'real art' as what art connoisseurs do, I'm just for writing for people like me. Also, I'm not saying that you need to know everything ... I'm just going to show you how you can start your art appreciation journey by finding out what you enjoy - then discovering they are somewhat linked to each other!

Art Appreciation: How to make Art personal

Loving some aspects of music and dance or literature gives you an emotional high. You'll might have this feeling of seeing life in new glasses. Before your world was in black and white and now it is more colourful than all the colours of a rainbow! It glitters and shines. Through the arts, you'll find some ways to express yourself. It is as though there're are so many more ways to 'nail those feelings' that you have.

I feel that way when I discover a great old classic, a particular song in a musical or opera or my absolute favourite pas de deux (dance between a man and a woman) in a ballet. Don't laugh at me, but at moments I feel the tears welling up in my eyes and sometimes my heart feels like it is going to burst.

If you are passionate about something, even if it is not about the arts, say bird watching, you'll know what I mean.

I see my life through the arts sometimes. I chose to live it that way. When I learn a new song 'Caro mio ben' by Giuseppe Giordani, I can hear the passion through a certain sadness and maybe I'll identify it with something like say, losing a dear friend, which may not be accurate but that is my connection and experience.

When I see great dancing a pas de deux in a ballet, I admire with all my soul of its beauty. I aspire to the ballerina's gracefulness, softness and elegance. I take pleasure in the strength and masculinity of the male ballet dancer because I know how long and hard it took them to get there.

I love identifying myself and the people around me in the characters of great books. I take my favourite songs in musicals and apply them to my life!

That is some of the ways of how I enjoy the arts. This is how I appreciate art - it was my launch pad. I believe that this may be one of the few ways anyone can begin to enjoy the arts. When you find your place in the arts world, you'll become familiar with it and that is how you begin to rise and become more sophisticated in art appreciation. While Art appreciation courses are good, I believe they merely acquaint you with the arts world. You've got to make your own journey and make them personal to you.

Without cultivating a genuine art appreciation, I somehow feel that there is much to miss out! It may sound silly, but I feel life is more 'beautiful' with arts. Afterall, ART is devoted to beauty.

Art Appreciation: A Method of Refinement

Other than the wonderful emotions that arts can 'transport' your soul, I've noticed that spending time pursuing the Arts brings about a refining quality. I'm sure there are exceptions, but after some time, those who get involved in any aspects of the Arts, no matter rich or poor, speak with a polished and relaxed ease, with the right tone and pace of voice. Their posture seem to resemble nobility and their eyes widen with delight and grace when they find someone who loves symphonies as much as they do.

Art also awakens creativity. We all need to be creative in our everyday life, to solve problems, to bring a fresh approach in our relationships, decorate the house, pick an elegant present etc.

Lastly and importantly, art is a form of inspiration. I believe we need inspiration to live our life colourfully!

Anna Morgan says it best, she writes,

"Art is man's effort to produce the ideal. It divides itself into as many branches as there are vehicles used. A beautiful house, a magnificent temple, a jewel finely cut and uniquely set, the mind and character of a man suggested by the sculptor's hand in plaster or marble of by the painter's brush on canvas, a rug rare in design and colouring, a chair or table the form and colour of which provoke our admiration, a song which is repeated by poet and peasant, each and all are works of art, vehicles used for the conveyance of the thought and emotion of man.

Find Your Place in Art

Finding your nice in art is what art appreciation is all about.

Pick something in any area that interest you that go from there:

1) Pick up a great classic book like War and Peace.

2) Read an introductory Art History for Dummies

3) Book tickets to the theatre (and read about it before you do).

4) Take singing (and you'll probably be learning Italian opera songs) or ballet lessons.

5) Take a literature class.

6) Join a book club.

7) Study acting.

8) Pick up the cello or the piano.

9) Take a oil painting class and create a masterpiece for your home!

10) Rent a musical movie.

11) Admire great artists - whether it is their work, dedication or passion.

12) Admire great works of art - learn about the process of how much time and effort it takes to create them.

There are more ways to get started in the arts than I can list. Can you think of any that might interest you?

Not only art will awaken your finer qualities, it will also bring your pleasure and joy like nothing else you may have experienced.