How Art and Aesthetics shape our lives

In the modern World, we have come to understand and value beauty in ways that differ from those expressed by the generations before us. Yet, at the same time, the basic concept of what constitutes art and the role it plays in our lives remains unchanged since the dawn of humanity and the moment our thoughts and ideas found a vehicle of expression that is not a direct extension of our bodies.

If we see art as a means of expressing our emotional state, be it to demonstrate our dreams, hopes and understanding of beauty, we also understand its value as a method to purge our fears, pain and overall negative emotions.

Dedicating oneself to an artistic expression is to develop discipline, free one’s mind from emotional shackles and invest in the growth of our knowledge and emotional intelligence.

But is the value of art exclusive to that which we can personally create?

Not at all. As an expression of someone’s thoughts and ideas, art and the aesthetic symbolisms surrounding it can influence us greatly, as well as how we observe and understand our World. Regardless of its creator, be them known or unknown, the ideas and emotions behind artistic expression are what communicate with us, or at least our interpretation of it.

Interpretation is always subjective, and many ideas have been misappropriated across centuries, often with results that range from sporadic evil deeds to catastrophes of a magnitude that has shaken humanity to the core.

Understanding that, for the most part, art is subjective and that our interpretation will result from the state of our emotional state is perhaps the greatest tool any person can possess and should be applied to optimal effect in our quest for self-improvement.

The Renaissance is a prime example of this reutilization of ideas and aesthetics, showing us how old ideas can be repurposed to great effect. We will not personally dwell on how the Renaissance developed, as the sheer depth of that discussion would create material for many pages, but it’s important to bring up the following point:

Art and Aesthetics inspire us. But how does this affect us?

Well, perhaps a good example can be obtained by observing how the recent pandemic affected people around the World.

Many of those forced to remain locked in their homes soon found themselves renovating their homes.

Why? Because in the past, the time we spent at home was often a very minor part of our day and one day, without warning, we were forced to do so 24/7.

The old white walls became unbearably boring; the brown curtains permeated the same dull light day after day, and even the bathroom lights became monotonous.

It showed us how much our environment affects our mood and that even if we fail to see it at first glance, as days go by, this influence becomes deeper and deeper. Given enough time, it affects us emotionally and interferes, albeit indirectly, with our decision-making capability.

I remain a proponent that our environment, at least the one we control, should be filled to the brim with artistic expressions and that the aesthetics we surround ourselves with should not be something of impulse but well thought out and pondered.

Surrounding ourselves with Art creates a prime environment for emotional growth and expression. But what aesthetics and Art should we choose?

The answer to that comes from personal preference.

My preferences align with more historical-related artwork, born from my education in history and love for the past. But if 80’s nostalgia or a modern vibe makes your gears grind, strive towards it!

Essentially our goal should be to match the aesthetics of our environment with our own. By harmonizing our surroundings with our personal growth, be it physical or psychological, we aren’t only visually expressing this change but optimizing the conditions that support us in our journey.

If you can produce artistic work, that should be your primary avenue of change. It will also provide you with the benefit of starting something from scratch and further developing your skills. If not, or if you wish for something outside your DIY capabilities, support artists instead of catering to big companies or brands. While it is not feasible to do this 100% due to sheer costs, investing in and supporting someone seeking an honest living is always the appropriate option.

So step outside the box and express your aesthetics freely and without judgement! Allow Art and Aesthetics to be part of the stones that build your road to self-improvement.