The Artist's Lament

an essay by DannyLynne

"Heartache and struggle give birth to great art...it's an Artist's lament...of blessing and curse...that beauty would emerge from wreckage."

-DannyLynne*

 

It's a truth as old as art itself, that out of the depths of great sorrow or oppression comes genious level inspiration and creativity. The Paradox. The double edged sword. Great talent at the cost of great misfortune...hence the term tortured Artist.

I think that it's not only a display of commendable talent but also a brilliant preserving mechanism of the mind..."that beauty would emerge from wreckage."  An incredible example of the mind rising up in times of extreme stress. To not only make sense of the experience but also to try and put some color to it (no pun intended) to put a spin on it and in this way to brand ownership of the experience.

 

This I would chose to call Art...

 

All things have a genesis. It's a remarkable achievement to create a great work of art from a genesis of pain or adversity. And so, I wonder could it be done otherwise? What if the genesis were optimism and there wasn't any basis in struggle? Would it be the same? Would it have the same impact? Would it still stir the same response and cause the beholder to ponder the piece in a significant way?

Please do not misunderstand. I'm not saying that only sadness produces genious level artistic works, but I do believe quite strongly that somewhere along the way an Artist must realize both sorrow and joy. That one could not exist without the other.And to ride the proverbial pendulum both ways.

 

This I would chose to call Art...

 

Reviews

[Broken Warrior]

This piece...this piece addresses a well known "issue" (for lack of better words). I too question this paradox...The greatest minds, or so we have come to know them have walked upon some of the most horrid grounds, and yet, in spite it all, were able to capture the hearts of millions, so to question if it is this particular experience that lead them to such a paramount display is quite mind boggling. I believe we are who we are based on what we been through, our learnings from youth to old. So my belief is yes AND no, its not the event itself, but the event in chorus with other experiences and life lessons "whether" good or bad. Beautiful examination of the human mind and experience.

[TTBoy28]

While it is true that the Artist must experience both sorrow and joy, they tend to write very one-sideded, and that works well for them. Because I have, in fact, experienced both sorrow and joy (on a daily basis), I have a different feeling when I try to put the words down. Maybe that's why Artists are called, "Tortured Souls?"

I like what you've done.