On the meaning art brings to our lives

What need does art fill in our lives?

There are likely as many answers as their are people who surround themselves with art.

That said, an archival dig here at home uncovered an art survey I created around ten years ago, and it’s informative around the meaning art brings into our lives.

At the time, I was experimenting with an art website, and the marketing guy inside me wanted to know how potential collectors felt about art and buying art from an art website. I posted the survey online, and 135 folks shared their opinions in response to questions like these:

• What need does art fill in our lives?
• What characteristics of art do you like and look for?
• What do you need to know about an artist?
• What reservations do you have about buying art from a website?

 You can see the full results of the art survey by clicking here.

Given my interest in slow seeing and its focus on taking time to experience art, one of the most interesting groups of responses is related to the question,  ”What need does art fill in our lives?”

Here are some responses grouped into subsets reported on in the survey:

Self expression and connection – “Art reflects me.”

Moods and reverie – “I buy art for the same reason I buy music: to create or nurture a mood.”

Beauty – “To be a part of the process… the search for beauty is religion.”

Relaxation and tranquility – “Sometimes I can be so at peace just looking at people in art form.”

Stimulation, meaning and conceptual reflection – “It startles me into seeing something from a fresh perspective.”

I really like these takes – and others expressed in the survey – as they add to my ongoing search for understanding and getting better at engaging with and experiencing art more fully.

How about you?

What need does art fill in your life?

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