The Importance of Emotions in Artistic Expression

When we look at a piece of art or listen to a musical performance, we’re not just experiencing the medium itself. We’re connecting with the emotions that the artist has imbued into their creation. In this article, we explore the fundamental role that emotions play in artistic expression and how they connect the artist with the viewer or listener.

The author starts the article by reflecting on the power of a photograph on their mantle by Paul Camponigro. They describe how the captured moment in the photo evokes a feeling that connects the viewer with the artist’s experience. The author then goes on to explore the roots of emotions and how they are connected to creativity. They argue that emotions are the simplest reality and our first awareness, leading our minds before we even begin to think about the experience.

The article argues that artistic expression and performance have an emotive component that engages the audience on a deeper level. From Etta James in full voice to Ansel Adams’ retrospective, or a dance company performing the Nutcracker, artistic expressions are powerful when they connect with us emotionally. The author even reflects on the power of a basketball game that brought them to tears in the ’80s, demonstrating how emotions can come from any genre of artistic expression. The article then examines the significance of emotion in different forms of music, from shotgun music to homogenized tonal equivalents of raw tofu, to designed-for-public-soothing wedding bands.

The article argues that artists who create without emotion produce artificial art. Genuine artistic expression requires vulnerability and a willingness to share one’s emotions. The author contends that artists who do not imbue emotion in their work are creating something that will connect with no one. Great artists, on the other hand, provide emotional tension to invariant forms, eliciting powerful responses from their viewers or listeners.

The article also delves into the stereotype of artists as being sensitive and why this may be the case. The author suggests that artists appear sensitive because of their emotional vulnerability and receptiveness to the world around them. To create something genuine, an artist needs to stay receptive and emotionally open to imagining and crafting their creation.

The author adds a personal touch by reflecting on their experience as a photographer. They describe how the intellectualizing part of taking a photo ends once they’ve found a connection to their subject. They contend that the fine nuances of emotional connection are what make the best photographers stand out.

Finally, the article looks at the anti-creative forces that corrode our creativity, such as conformity, authoritarian power, material success, and apathy. In contrast, the article argues that combining childlike emotional freedom with adult passion for creating the immortal is the key to amplifying creativity.

In conclusion, the article emphasizes the importance of emotions in artistic expression. Emotions connect the artist with the viewer or listener, imbuing creations with a deeper significance. The article argues that artists who are receptive, emotionally open, and willing to take risks are more likely to create something that connects with their audience on a profound level.