Art has always been seen as its own independent category. But what if we take a deeper look into what else it does in our everyday lives?
Art is in every area we look. From our buildings, to our music, to the faces we see on our screens, and even our medicine. Art is inescapable and ever-present in our lives! In fact, over the past few decades, ”health psychologists have cautiously begun looking at how the arts might be used in a variety of ways to heal emotional injuries, increase understanding of oneself and others, develop a capacity for self-reflection, reduce symptoms, and alter behaviors and thinking patterns.”
Through science, we have discovered that art can provide mental and physical support for those in need of a release. It offers something to do while you recuperate, a new hobby to enjoy when you’re healed, or a better appreciation for something you once thought to be juvenile. It can also boost the ability to analyze and lead to improvements in critical thinking skills. This is because the brain learns to assess, as well as compare and contrast, more thoroughly and at a faster rate.
Art is omnipresent. For instance: You’re sitting in the waiting room for your doctor’s appointment and you have nothing to do but look. You see the ugly (and stained) mauve colored carpet, with little yellow swirls; the spots ever so carefully arranged to form diamonds on the walls; and the holiday-themed décor that surrounds the receptionist’s desk. What do you notice about all these sudden details? They’re all art! Someone, at some time, took thought to sit and think about the kind of design that they (and you) might want to see when they sit in that same waiting room. Their style choices may stay forgotten by most, but at least you are able to see the positives – that someone, somewhere, is grateful that you have appreciated something they spent time on and put money into. The most important job as a viewer is making the artist feel appreciated and enjoyed, and – congratulations! – you have done just that.
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