Beyond Brushstrokes
The Digital Resonance of Van Gogh for Gen Z
Gen Z sees pixels in the erratic brushstrokes of a Van Gogh sunflower painting instead of merely flowers. The younger generation, you know, has grown up surrounded by screens. They are inundated with fleeting digital trends and short memes all the time. They recognise the value of seizing an opportunity before it passes and the vulnerability involved in revealing oneself to the public. Van Gogh is the ultimate outsider. He just expresses himself on a completely different level through his art. He has a unique ability to connect with people that no one else has. You know, it’s like he speaks their language.
Similar to Gen Z, Van Gogh didn’t quite fit in and defied the rules in a world where everyone was expected to follow them. He became aware of the hollowness of pursuing wealth and material belongings after spotting the gaps in those elegant façades. His work conveys the complex feelings that our generation is experiencing, including uncertainty about the future, the climate problem, and a society that feels unstable.
Yes, that is accurate. In a society that may occasionally feel so impersonal and technology-driven, they also feel that profound need for human connection, that sensation of being separated, and the continual push to fit in.
Oh, Gen Z sees more than just a stunning sky image when they view Van Gogh’s Starry Night. They perceive a reflection of their own incredibly interconnected reality. Whoa, what a surreal digital sight those whirling stars make! And it’s evident from those vivid brushstrokes how continuously inundated with information we are. Yes, they’re also just attempting to make sense of life in a world with a plethora of options and feeling a little disoriented by it all.
However, more than simply their angst unites them. What’s really awesome, you ask? Van Gogh’s unwavering optimism and his firm conviction that the world is beautiful. It’s as though Gen Z’s activism and their fervent desire to change the world are directly influenced by him. Well, you know, people see more than just flowers when they look at his sunflowers. They perceive something more, you know, like hopeful and strong symbols. It’s like discovering a glimmer of hope even at the darkest moments. Yes, even in difficult times, kids still wish to create beauty by painting their own sunflowers. In what might occasionally seem like an indifferent world, they wish to change things.
You know, there’s a true similarity between Van Gogh and Generation Z in that they both experienced vulnerability. Do you think it’s fairly amazing? In his self-portraits, Van Gogh truly expresses his feelings. His loneliness, anxiety, and need for acceptance are all evident. Yes, Gen Z—the sometimes-labeled narcissistic generation—understands what it means to be vulnerable. Is it really true? People today must negotiate in a world where every small error they make is captured on camera and posted for public viewing on social media. Furthermore, their most private feelings are exposed for everyone to see. Really, isn’t that absurd? People find solace in realizing they’re not alone in their struggles when they can relate to Van Gogh’s frankness.
Yes, Gen Z feels a connection to the artist, as if they have discovered a kindred spirit when they gaze at a canvas by Van Gogh. They find reflections of themselves in those erratic brushstrokes, vivid colours, and unfiltered emotions. Yes, they perceive a world that is cluttered, disorganised, and full of limitless opportunities, exactly like their own. Furthermore, when individuals genuinely comprehend one another, they find hope, a sense of connection, and perhaps even the courage to produce their own breathtaking works of art.
© Shuvranil Sanyal, 2023
