By Richard Restiano
Right from the earliest known cave drawings thousands of years ago, humans wanted to express to other humans what they saw, where they lived, who they were and always questioning where they came from. Art is communication. Watching your child draw you and the family. It has been the communication tool early on for humans to express their needs, desires, discoveries and questions to their fellow group and still works today so far – human to human, and hopefully remains that way (not looking for AI to human). What if the artists didn’t record their world centuries back, how would we know the past? It’s not just color and beauty, it’s history.
Well, here we are, February, the month of love and Valentine’s Day. What could possibly be more inspiring for artists than the subject of love. Love found, lost, denied, longed for, dreamed of, desired and sometimes avoided. Art communicates and love is surely the most universally expressed subject. Artists feel and convey the passion, emotions of love. They look to express it all – the pain, the joy, beauty, the fulfillment and also for some, the absence of this human phenomenon.
You can see love in so many ways – not just for human to human, but the love of nature, music, dance, cooking, writing … the art of love drives our satisfaction of living. This February, look to see how love has influenced the arts you support and collect. It’s probably pretty deep.
Art’s definition generally falls into three categories: Art as Representational; Art as Expression of Emotional Content; Art as Form/Design.
Just think of your world without art, books, music, theatre, film, dance, sculpture. Art is personal to the viewer – and what the artist communicates makes you think and feel … happy, serious, mad, confused, informational, memorial, joyful, optimistic. Experienced by the senses: visual, oral, touch. Take the time out of your crazy busy day to explore the oasis that the arts provide us humans. Shakespeare: “If music be the food of love, play on. Give me excess of it, surfeiting (feed to excess), the appetite may sicken and so die.”
The Art Leaders Forum: Story and Song, Feb. 23, 10 a.m. to noon. Nassau Arts leaders discuss next events, issues and concerns. City, County and Tourist Board present updates and planned activities and events.
Richard A. Restiano, Sr. is the founder of Nassau Council of Arts and Culture, Inc., The West Nassau Arts Alliance and the Arts Leaders Forum- Arts and Culture organizations that support the arts for Nassau County, FL. They create, promote and sustain positive art experiences and cultural opportunities while supporting cultural tourism to enhance the quality of life for all residents.
