From provoking conversations about pressing issues such as poverty, war, racism, and gender inequality to inspiring economic developments with its powerful visuals; art does indeed have far-reaching implications on how the modern world functions today.

So let’s delve deeper into this intriguing topic and explore how art really does change lives!

THE TOPIC OF ART AND HOW IT CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

Visual art can take many forms; paintings, sculptures, sketches, and photography are some of the most popular choices. It can also include a variety of mixed-media projects and installations. But no matter what form it takes, the artwork is an attempt to express emotion or ideas through mediums such as color, texture, line, shape, and form.

Art has no rules; it is self-expressive and creative. In this way, the artwork gives a voice to those who create it. Whether designing in a traditional sense or working with alternative materials, art can be viewed as a representation of self and storyteller for places yet to be discovered.

Art has the power to change the way we see the world, awakening us to new perspectives, ideas, and values. It can take us back in time to reflect on our past or push us further into our future. Art can bring awareness to social issues and foster a sense of acceptance — bringing people together regardless of background. Art is not only a form of expression but also an invitation to problem-solve and grow within ourselves and our communities. Whether creating or experiencing it, art provides unique ways for understanding different points of view while inspiring citizens to create meaningful social change.

Ultimately, art helps shape our societies by providing platforms for creativity and solidarity to thrive.

EXAMPLE OF AN ARTWORK THAT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD

To many people’s surprise, artwork doesn’t just exist for aesthetics or beauty, but also has a much deeper purpose. It can actually change the world we live in. For example, the AIDS Memorial Quilt was created as an expression of both grief and defiance with regard to HIV/AIDS. It is a powerful reminder of the courage and determination of its creators who used this art form to not only memorialize victims of the disease but also raise awareness around it. Ultimately, this artwork inspired action that led to changes in public health policy, including improved access to testing and treatment — something that undoubtedly changed the world we live in over time.

And a few more examples:

• The Guernica by Pablo Picasso. The Guernica is a painting by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso that was completed in 1937. The painting, which is 11 feet tall and 25.6 feet wide, depicts the bombing of the Basque town of Guernica by Nazi Germany during the Spanish Civil War. The painting is widely regarded as one of the most important works of art of the 20th century, as it helped to raise awareness of the horrors of war and served as an anti-war statement.
• The Hay Wagon by Grant Wood. The Hay Wagon is a painting by American artist Grant Wood that was completed in 1930. The painting, which is now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, depicts a wagon filled with hay being pulled by two horses. The painting was controversial at the time of its completion, as many people felt that it depicted rural America in a negative light. However, the painting is now considered to be an important work of American folk art.
• The Scream by Edvard Munch. The Scream is a painting by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch that was completed in 1893. The painting, which is now housed at the National Gallery in Oslo, Norway, depicts a figure standing on a bridge with its hands covering its ears while screaming. The painting is one of the most famous and recognizable works of art in the world and has come to symbolize the feeling of existential angst.

HOW DO PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS OF ART CHANGE OVER TIME?

Our ancestors were able to express themselves through art in ways that no other medium could provide. As time has progressed, however, people’s perceptions of art have gradually shifted from one of artistic expression and personal identity to a more precise calculation of popularity and profitability.

Today, many people view art as either a form of entertainment to be consumed or an investment opportunity over which to capitalize. It is both unfortunate and remarkable how something as creative and special as art can often be degraded into cold numbers.

Nevertheless, there is hope that we might still find genuine appreciation for the beauty of artwork beyond its value in the marketplace to represent our individual identities and values without concern for money or status.

 HOW CAN ART BE USED AS A FORM OF PROTEST?

In more recent times, art has become a powerful tool for those seeking to protest social and political issues.

Through the creation of murals, photography, music, dance, and even fashion, people can express their opinions in a meaningful way. Art offers an accessible form of self-expression that can be targeted toward anyone who might need to hear it. It allows protestors to drive home their message by creating a unique visual representation of their values. Additionally, art as a protest serves as a catalyst for change by bringing people together in solidarity around a shared cause.

The profound impact that art has when used as a tool for advocacy is remarkable – it provides individuals with the opportunity to make their voices heard while inspiring others to strive towards the same collective goal of justice and equality.

HOW CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS ARE USING THEIR WORK TO ADDRESS SOCIAL ISSUES

The work of contemporary artists is often grounded in important social issues facing modern society. From addressing income inequality to exploring gender and race, these topics are widely explored through visual art and performance pieces. Artists use their skills to raise awareness about the state of global affairs, as well as the personal struggles that people experience daily.

While many traditional works of art focus on beauty and technical skill, modern artists have also embraced uses for their works beyond simply expressing something beautiful – by addressing serious social issues head-on and inspiring positive conversations surrounding them. In today’s world, art can be used to promote activism and ignite constructive discourse surrounding pressing matters.

TO CONCLUDE

Art has the power to evoke emotion, open dialogue, and challenge paradigms. It can be used to inspire action, call attention to injustice, and bring visibility to issues that would otherwise remain unseen. The impact of art on our world is undeniable; it illuminates culture and history, facilitates understanding between societies with different values, and encourages participation in social movements. When art is used as a form of activism it can help drive change in deeply significant ways — from building solidarity among varied groups of people to giving voice to those who are systematically silenced by oppressive systems. Ultimately, art’s ability to facilitate collective empowerment makes it a powerful tool for creating radical transformation.

___________________________________

Author Bio: Rob Talley is a content creator for websites, blogs, articles, and social media platforms. Rob also writes for essay writing service assignmentpay.com.

He is interested in education, technologies and enjoys sharing lifestyle and personal development advice and tips.

The post The Power of Art: Does Art Really Change the World We Live In? appeared first on Art Business News.

“The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe,” said Gustave Flaubert, the celebrated French novelist. I couldn’t agree more. But it is not just serendipity that makes it a fascinating journey. And it is not just a way of capturing a combination of the tangible and intangible that makes writing an art form. There’s more to it than that.

Let’s take a closer look at what the ‘more’ is and how it makes writing a form of art.

WHAT WE MEAN BY ART AND BY WRITING

Let’s be clear about the terms first. By art, I don’t mean just a product of human endeavor that has an emotional power or aesthetic value. It goes beyond that. It must be about conveying an important idea, a statement of sorts, that improves human life in unconventional and creative ways that are not obvious or easy to capture.

For the purposes of this article, by writing, I mean its creative form. Writing often takes place in the combined realms of reality and illusion. In the hands of a good author, it becomes a tool that serves as a conduit of our intellectual, imaginative, and transformative power. It is a kind of power that transforms, improves, and rewards.

BREAKING BARRIERS

A good piece of writing stimulates thinking. A good writer is not someone with the right answers. That is the realm of politicians and religious leaders. Rather, a good writer is someone with the right questions. That means you often have to go against the grain to explore uncharted territory.

You become like a tourist blazing a trail and scouring off-the-beaten tracks to make discoveries and get a glimpse of the invisible. Creative writing prompts people to think outside the box. It pushes them out of their comfort zones. It challenges, vexes, and unsettles to achieve the unachievable.

MAKING PEOPLE AND THINGS BETTER

Given the above purpose of writing, it cannot be reduced to any kind of a self-gratifying activity. Don’t get me wrong, creative writing must be as inspiring as it should be beautiful. I don’t mean to discount the value of ingenious word combinations, puns, tropes, or understatements. These are all powerful tools in the arsenal of great writers.

But unless writing takes the reader a step farther on their path of continuous improvement, it might be missing the mark. My literature professor and an avid follower of the best botanic art school in the United States used to ask himself the questions that I often ask myself every time I turn to my next reading. Has this book made me any better than I had been before I read it? Has it made me think or do something differently? Has it led me to make my personal discoveries, however small? If you keep answering no to these questions, you must have misunderstood the book, or you must have picked the wrong one.

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE

‘Writing is nothing more than a guided dream,’ said Jorge Luis Borges, the celebrated Argentine short-story writer, essayist, poet, and translator. Writing helps you become a guide who can not only drive dreams but also make them come true.

Our life is a never-ending struggle to delineate demarcation lines between illusion and reality. What seems true one day may turn out to be ephemeral or short-lived the other day. It is neither easy nor simple to navigate these realms with all sorts of uncertainties and unknowns that go with them. Powerful and creative writers help readers find their way through these intellectual and moral labyrinths.

It is a challenging and multifaceted task to tackle, with lots of “whats” and “whys.” Those who make headway are up for an incredible and rewarding journey that is worth every second spent and every inch covered.

PUTTING PEN TO PAPER

Writing can be a source of endless inspiration, enlightenment, and serendipity. Creative writing is definitely a form of art or, to be more precise, the kind of art that empowers, nurtures, and transforms. At the end of the day, it all boils down to the difference it makes. The difference in one’s personal pursuits and efforts, as well as in terms of improved social interactions.

When writing is a completely egocentric process (which it has every right to be), it cannot go beyond a purely aesthetic or self-gratifying purpose. When it serves a larger goal of broadening one’s worldview, unpicking the invisible, and asking the right questions, it lays down the marker for others to follow.

Author Bio: Barbara Fielder is an acclaimed professional writer. She has served as an evaluator on multiple writing contest panels, and she knows a thing or two about best practices in creative writing. Barbara also enjoyed writing academic assignments in time she worked in Best Essay, as well as helping others find their unique writing style. She has authored her works on a broad range of academic and non-academic subjects.

The post Is Writing an Art Form? appeared first on Art Business News.

America stands at an inflection point. While we have been here many times before for many different reasons, we are currently experiencing a sea change in ideology and more specifically those who implement it. Freedoms we have fought for and learned to take for granted during our lifetimes are being rescinded. Women, especially the neediest among us, stand to lose the most. Our bodies and our choices are being usurped by those who care less for the living than the unborn.

On June 9th repro rights group POWERrepro hosted “Facing a Post-Roe World” at Marilyn Minter’s NYC studio. The event included an engaging panel discussion that included Oriaku Njoku, the founder of the event’s beneficiary, ARC-Southeast, lawyer and writer Julie Kay, and repro activist Allison Turkos. The program centered around an exhibition and auction of my artwork that speaks to human rights, feminism, and the impending SCOTUS abortion judgement. Half of all proceeds from my work was donated to our remarkable partners at ARC-Southeast. They will be using the funds to support those most impacted by the SCOTUS decision. By aiming to help women who are most in danger, and supporting grassroots organizations such as ARC-Southeast, I and POWER strive to bring about tangible funds and support for Southern women seeking reproductive freedom and autonomy over their own bodies.

Today, autonomy is yet again up for discussion. A predominantly white, male, right-wing governing body has chosen to value THEIR religious ideology over the safety, progress, and individual rights of their female constituents. The reversal of Roe v. Wade will most severely impact the most vulnerable among us. As is often the case, the burden will be shouldered by those without resources. These are the women ARC-Southeast serves.

When women have the right to decide their future path, namely motherhood, education and financial stability, our society benefits as a whole. Autonomy over our lives and bodies allows women trapped in poverty, who are excluded, intimidated, and pushed to the margins of society to choose a different path. By not perpetuating the cycle, women can uplift themselves and their families to independence. In so doing, not only can women live fuller personal lives, but they can open doors for themselves and their children to a more equal and just existence. Overturning Roe V. Wade is a direct affront to the upward mobility of women and families trapped in a system that does not support them or their needs. Quite simply, a woman’s choice is essential to their self-actualization and agency. When you strip away choice, there is nowhere to go.

In revoking such rights, we face the harsh reality of living in a less productive society. When the majority of efforts and energy are being used to keep people down as opposed to lifting them up, we end up perpetuating a false hierarchy, where women are placed below men and where our decisions are stripped out from under us by a handful of biased, self-motivated politicians. These sweeping decisions on female agency and human rights are a direct attempt to advance personal views and interests at the cost of ensuring the welfare of the people they are supposedly entrusted to represent and protect. This is not my version of representative government, of democracy, or of freedom.

Unfortunately, freedom appears to be so terribly subjective in America. We purport ourselves to be the leader of the free world. How is it then that freedom itself is continuously at stake? I grew up believing that my America is a place where we continually strive to better ourselves – correct prior wrongs, reach for equality and justice. A place where empathy replaces intolerance. This is where I believe art comes into play.

The arts can motivate a shift of consciousness and reveal truths about the human condition in a wholly unique way. The power of artistic impact can be used as a tool for good and a platform for the undervalued, underprivileged, and overlooked. I have devoted my work to this vision of who we should be and the values I believe to be essential to create a truly equal society. In this time of uncertainty and oppression, I can think of no better way to use my art.

Artists have the fundamental drive to build a bridge of connection from self to others through expression. In my practice, these are vital, compulsive acts of communication. If we, as visual communicators, can manage to connect the head to the heart and engage with issues that truly matter to us, we can bring about change. The arts have the power of aesthetic force; the ability to shift one’s critical awareness around an issue through a unique and accessible language. Using creativity as a modality for change is not new. Think of Emory Douglass and his revolutionary poster design for the Black Panther Party, of Rosie the Riveter and her rolled-up sleeves, or of the Beatles “all you need is love.” The list goes on. The power of the arts are simply transcendent, so we must allow them to transcend us.

The modern world seems to embody the struggle between apathy and empathy. Our greatest challenge to combating the deterioration of human rights is pervasive apathetic thinking. “This doesn’t impact me directly, therefore, why would I involve myself?” However, when there is a face, a story, or an image associated with injustice, it becomes humanized and therefore relatable. Telling a story, delivering a narrative, painting a portrait all serve to further humanize strife. Quite simply, when we cannot see it, we cannot feel it.

Effective art requires engagement, reflection, and critical thinking. When the power of visuals becomes coupled with an active call for involvement, we not only begin to open people’s eyes, but their minds. Viewers can then bridge the empathy chasm so predominant in our society today. The value of an artwork lies in its creator’s ability to relate whatever moved them, so that the viewer can empathically participate in the experience as closely as possible. This bridge of connection between a viewer and the artist’s concept and intention can be a galvanizing influence. My goal is to use art to open the door for one to examine their own ways of thinking, their own perspectives and the impact their choices have on this world.

While the concept and content of a piece of artwork is fundamental when dealing with social justice and human rights movements, so is the “call to action!” Creating meaningful work in a vacuum, only to be digested on social media platforms is important for social consciousness, but real change happens in real life. In my practice, half of the work is what “appears on the paper”, and the other half lies in what is being done “off the paper.” What actions am I taking to ensure a safer and more productive future for my fellow Americans through the development, dissemination, and sale of this work? That is the synthesis of art and activism. Yes, it is important to creatively contribute to a social dialogue, but it is just as essential to create a tangible result for those you strive to represent. It is not a passive process, but a call to action.

Consequently, I am delighted to share that on June 9th, POWERepro and I were able to raise a six-figure sum to be fully donated to ARC-Southeast. This donation will provide funding and logistical support to ensure Southerners receive safe and compassionate reproductive care including abortion services. Through education and leadership development, ARC-Southeast continuously works to build power in communities of color to abolish stigma and restore dignity and justice.

To me, empathy and creativity are the most essential elements in repairing ourselves and our society. The synthesis of the two is where true insight lies. On one hot and sticky NYC evening, the power of art, women, and human rights activism enabled a small group of people to raise enough money to fully support ARC-Southeast for over a month, ensuring that women from six states are treated with dignity and respect as well as given agency over their own bodies and destinies. That is the power of art and activism.

Author’s bio: Alex Rudin is a NYC based multimedia artist & illustrator focused on social justice and abstract political theory. Alex’s artwork is narratively focused with a strong emphasis on expressive portraiture. The majority of her work attempts to comment on the complexities of the human experience through stylized portraiture and anecdotal commentary. Alex’s focus lies in uncovering and expressing the truths of what it is like to live in modern America.

The post P.O.W.E.R. and Art Unite appeared first on Art Business News.

ART AS A WEAPON. HOW ARTISTS TACKLE MODERN PROBLEMS VIA CREATIVITY

It is hard to overestimate the power of an art piece on a person or community. A powerful creation can raise discussions, connect people of different backgrounds, or help to fight social issues.

A considerable part of it comes from the unique ability of art to speak to emotion personally. Another crucial factor is that it comes in unlimited forms and presentations. It has cultural significance, but it can also be a power in making a positive change in the world.

The best part is – anyone can take part in it. Whether you are an art model, professional painter, street artist, or musician, everyone has a place. Together with the Jooble team of experts, we’ve prepared a case on why and how art can be a weapon and what effect it can have.

IT GIVES A DEEPER PERSPECTIVE

Without a doubt, a great piece of art always has a message behind it. And in many cases, such a form of communication is more digestible for people than just straight facts.

For example, hardly a person hasn’t heard about ecological issues today. It is all over the news, reports, and conferences. There are huge piles of data and studies. Sure, those invested can read it and be inspired to change by absorbing information.

But for many people, seeing an art piece made from waste from the ocean holds a more powerful message. It allows experiencing it first-hand and on an emotional level. Facts and figures are abstract and do not have the same impact.

Mandy Baker is a photographer who creatively depicts the ocean’s pollution. Her work, Hong Kong Soup:1826, offers a genuinely stunning look at this problem. The photo shows floating plastic that has been collected from various beaches in Hong Kong. And the number 1826 refers to the same number of tons of waste that goes to landfills every day.

The use of the word “soup” is not a coincidence. It makes it more impactful as a nod to both what we digest and the idea of primordial soup as the source of life.

Data might make people feel disconnected, whereas creative pieces will engage them. And the point is not to solve the issues with a picture but instead to make it visible to others. In such a form, it is not abstract pollution. It is a strong message.

IT HELPS TO SHARE EXPERIENCES

Another significant way art can be a weapon is in how it speaks to people. You do not need translation or knowledge of a foreign language to consume it. This is incredibly important to give voices to those who have been silenced. This also helps to bring an exceptional experience to your doorsteps, close to the heart.

At the same time, it can bring real change by collecting funds for a good cause. Ukraine’s Ministry for Digital Transformation recently launched an NFT collection to gather funds to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the full-scale war unleashed by Russia. It is called the Meta History Museum of War. It allows people all over the world to support Ukraine financially in its fight for freedom. Furthermore, it also serves as a digital representation of this turmoil.

Currently, 54 pieces of art depict the first three days of the Russian invasion. Each of them is based on a real news piece from the war. It follows chronological order to show how the events unfolded.  Many Ukrainian and international artists participate in the initiative to preserve history, share the experiences of the Ukrainian people, and help them protect themselves at the same time.

As a result, art is a real weapon here, as the proceeds collected turn into military support.

IT IS INTERCONNECTED WITH POLITICS

For some people, art and politics might sound like entirely different worlds. However, it is not always the case. Creative activism helps to make the invisible visible. It highlights the problems that do not get attention otherwise.

Creation can be a commentary on the state of society and the politics of particular governments or countries. It has the power to provoke discussions that lead to changes. One of the significant names in this regard is Banksy. His pieces are almost always politically charged and immensely compelling. They deal with a massive variety of topics, including:

• War
• Migration
• Police brutality
• Capitalism
• Greed
• Hypocrisy, etc.

His street art can be found all over the world now. And from what could be considered an act of vandalism, it turned into a powerful message. What adds to the impact of the works is that identity of Banksy is unknown. It shifts the focus from the author to the issue.

The works are two-dimensional, often monochromic, or use copyrighted materials. But they always strike right in the spot.

IT REDEFINES NARRATIVES

Art holds a lot of potential for storytelling, narrative, and changing stereotypes. It allows creators to present their perspectives to the audience. And through different visual media, they can influence public opinion on the matter.

Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu is an excellent example of that. Her films can present a different African image, one of fun, adventure, and forcefulness. Although her movies are banned in Kenya, they are critically acclaimed worldwide. In her artistry, Wanuri Kahiu fights for the freedom of speech and social change worldwide.

Another outstanding work in redefining stereotypes is what an organization called Dialogue Social Enterprise does. Its main objective is to help people experience the world from the perspective of those who lost or never had sight.

The organization holds exhibitions and events in complete darkness where blind guides help visitors to navigate. This is a perfect way to better grasp what such a disability implies. And it also has a huge impact on the community. Through the organization’s activity, it has offered jobs for more than 7,000 blind people since the end of the 1980s.

IT CAN BE AN ACTIVISM DEED

Artistic activism is a widespread practice that has several major benefits. In this case, the creation serves a particular purpose and combines emotional appeal with activist strategy. This means that both effect and effect come together.

One aims at the material world and disrupting existing systems. Another aims to reach the hearts of viewers. When combined, they hold a great dynamic. The benefits of artistic activism are:

• It goes well with urban and contemporary environments, in the form of street art, for example.
• It appeals to symbols and meanings, which form people’s worldviews. Humans are much less logical than they’d like to admit.
• It is accessible to anyone. To participate, one doesn’t have to be an academically acclaimed painter or sculptor. The message is more important than the forms in many cases.
• It has worked many times throughout the history.
• It takes the audience by surprise. For example, since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, many murals have appeared in different countries. A lot of them were painted in Poland. One of the many Polish artists that contributed to this movement is Patryk Łukaszuk. He created a mural in Lębork and said graffiti is his weapon against aggression. The fact that art blends with urban landscape disrupts viewers from their bubbles and makes them think.
• It endorses creativity. Art inspires art. This boosts the freedom to experiment and find new means of expression.

And one of the main reasons artistic activism is so impactful is that it is peaceful yet persuasive. Sometimes a person doesn’t need a long speech to change one’s mind. A simple picture can do it.

IT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER

People can participate in the creation together, which is a way to bring the community together. Sharing such an experience helps people communicate and have something in common.

This is often used to positively change a particular environment or area. For example, the Granby Four Streets project in Liverpool, England, did just that. In partnership with residents, several local architects worked together to give new life to old houses and empty shops. As a result, the area was transformed, and people also got new job opportunities.

BOTTOM LINE 

The act of art is much more than an artist’s self-expression. It holds the power to change minds, brings issues to light, and give voices to those unheard. Modern creators use various platforms and mediums to raise awareness, collect donations, and preserve history. They contribute to culture, politics, and communities by making positive changes.

Author Bio: Hanna Kochehura is a freelance writer interested in innovative technology, the modern work market, digital marketing, and education.  Always ready to learn about new trends and exciting opportunities in these fields. She is a writer during the day and a standup comedian in the evenings.

The post Art as a Powerful Tool in Fighting Modern Problems appeared first on Art Business News.

MENTAL HEALTH CRISES ART CAN HELP YOU CONQUER

No matter the situation, you can always turn to an artform to get you through it. These are a few of the mental health crises that can be improved by creating art:

Depression

Depression touches more than 17 million people in the U.S. alone¹. It often leads to feelings of worthlessness, lack of accomplishment, and overall emptiness. Getting involved with artistic work can combat those feelings because of the positive emotions it can bring. Creating a song might make you feel accomplished as a writer, singer, and musician, for example. Drawing a lifelike picture can give you a sense of achievement. Creating a gorgeous sculpture of someone you love can give you confidence about your gifts and purpose.

Divorce

People experience a multitude of emotions when they undergo divorce proceedings. Depression, fear, and lack of purpose are three common emotional reactions to losing an integral long-term relationship. Discovering your identity in art can bring you out of the emotional avalanche of a divorce. It can place your life into perspective and help you find your most treasured creativity. Your artwork² can also help you create a business that could earn you the money you need to pay your bills after your marriage ends. You might become a renowned painter after using your pain to create an irresistible work of art.

Job Loss

The loss of a job can be one of the most devastating experiences in life. It can be worse for you if it’s a job on which you based the future of your career. The arts can help you bounce back from a job loss. Maybe you have a knack for writing³ poetry, stories, and journals. You can use all your frustration and disappointment to create a heartfelt poem that you could later turn into a popular song. Maybe you can write a story about the adventures you had while you were on the job. That story could even end up being a best-seller.

Anxiety

Anxiety can cause life-crippling fear that can disrupt and destroy your attempts to move forward. You can find a remedy in creating art, however. One benefit of using art to combat anxiety is that it will help you focus. Keeping your mind focused on your projects will block out the negative or fearful thoughts that enter your mind. Furthermore, you’ll have the courage to accomplish something, and you’ll benefit even more once you’re finished with your project. Painting and writing require a lot of concentration, so they might be just the thing you need to harness your creativity and tamp down your anxiety.

Loneliness

Sometimes, you might just be lonely. Your artwork can become your best friend once you put your heart and your best work into it.

Drug Addiction

Drug addiction⁴ puts a strain on your mental health and psyche for numerous reasons. It can cause you to lose relationships and job prospects, and it can cause you financial problems that invite depression into your life. Artwork is an excellent element to add to your recovery regimen. It can be a good form of distraction or replacement therapy. It can also teach you things about yourself that you may not have known. You might be an incredible artist, for example. Taking the time to explore the arts while recovering from your addiction can help to shape your artistic abilities. It’s not uncommon for certain drug and alcohol addiction programs to offer alternative therapies that implement art. That means starting an art journey puts you on the right track toward battling your addiction.

TIPS FOR USING ART TO IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Now that you know that you can use art to improve your mental health, you just need to know how you can make it happen. These are some tips for incorporating art into your mental health and wellness:

Find Your Niche

First, you need to figure out which art form is most feasible for you to get involved in. You can do that by trying a few different things and then choosing the medium that makes you the happiest. You may have more than one talent, but you should focus on one that you can nurture.

Think About Your Purpose

Think about how you want to use your talent aside from improving your mental health. Ask yourself if you can benefit from it financially or in some other way.

Gather Your Supplies

Gather all the supplies you need for your activity. Go out and buy yourself a large canvas and all the colors in the rainbow if you’re going to paint, for example. Get yourself some studio equipment for your songs. You get the idea. 

Meet Like-Minded People

Being surrounded by individuals with the same goals and talents is essential. Those people can be a support system during this challenging time or be collaborators, advisors, and mentors.

Enjoy Everything You Do

Don’t ever rush a work of art or force yourself to create art when you don’t want to. The whole point of partaking in art is to enjoy it. So, delay working on your craft until you’re in the mood to give it your best. You’ll enjoy the finished product much more knowing that you had a fabulous time creating it.

START USING ART TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL

Now you know how you can take advantage of your artistic abilities to help resolve common mental health issues. Using the information above to improve the quality of your life and eliminate mental health imbalances can not only be beneficial, but a chance for personal discovery.

Author Bio: Dr. Harshi Dhingra is a licensed medical doctor with specialization in Pathology. She is currently employed as faculty in a medical school with tertiary care hospital and research center in India as well as a medical review for Sunshine Behavioral Health. She has vast experience of over a decade in diagnostic, clinical, research and teaching work. She has strong interest in medical content writing and reviewing. She also has several publications and citations in indexed peer reviewed journals.

Sources:

1 nimh.nih.gov – Major Depression

2 health.harvard.edu – The Healing Power of Art

3 creativenonfiction.org – Writing Memoir and Writing Therapy

4 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov- The Use of Art and Music Therapy in Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

All images courtesy of Pexels.com

The post Using Art to Improve Your Mental Health appeared first on Art Business News.

When the pandemic eventually reached U.S. shores, the art gallery business model was suddenly faced with a perilous outlook. The need to maintain social distance, coupled with the transmissible risk of intimate indoor gatherings, quickly dismantled the art gallery’s leading sales channel. The precautions deemed necessary to protect public health also meant exhibitions, art fairs, receptions, and auctions would be severely curtailed. How much of a hit did the art market absorb?

Evidence of the distressing times the industry faced in 2020, tallied by Art Basel and UBS, pegged approximate sales at $50.1 billion, a 22% reduction from the previous year. Bad, yes. Catastrophic? Not by a long shot. A deeper inspection of the past few years reveals an art market already in decline across multiple channels. And the overall hit was in line with the 23.5% drop during the Great Recession in 2009. However, it’s one thing when the economy tanked and art buyers, collectors, and investors were forced to tighten their purse strings. It’s something altogether different when the activity of browsing art in-person at a gallery could be a potential risk to your health, and possibly even your life.

Gallery owners and directors were forced to confront the economic circumstances of this public health crisis. To maintain an outcome of break-even at best, the very business model for viewing, selling, and acquiring art would need major adaptations. Though the strategies that galleries undertook were often task-intensive, the basic premise was simple. The common denominator was a reversal of the traditional sales process. If we could no longer depend on people coming to us to buy our artwork, we’d simply have to bring our artwork to them. This was accomplished in many different ways, with varying levels of success, but the overriding theme of the effort was a noticeable shift to the virtual world of online sales.

Thankfully, online sales were already beginning to pick up steam in the industry, primarily driven by tech-savvy Millennials, on a mission to tilt the median age of the art collecting target market in a much younger direction. Left with no other choice, the majority of the industry’s traditional buyers, who prefer seeing art up close and personal before they purchase, were forced to leave their comfort zone and followed suit. In a short period, galleries began shifting sales operations to a more virtual experience, prioritizing an enhanced online presence for their own e-commerce capabilities, and listing inventory on the increasingly popular online art sales platforms. That’s not to say galleries completely abandoned in-person appointments, intimate receptions, and exhibition unveilings, but these efforts took much more planning and ingenuity to ensure public safety compliance according to local, state, and federal guidelines.

According to market research groups that track different industries, the number of art galleries in the U.S. is just shy of 5,000. While many of these already had an online sales component in place, it’s almost certain that many others needed to develop this critical sales channel in a short time frame or register to be listed on some of the industry’s most popular aggregate sales sites, such as Artnet, Artsper, and 1stdibs.com. The option to feature artwork on an online sales platform is a bit more labor-intensive. It became vital to keep the gallery’s offerings up-to-date, fresh, and with plenty of inventory to handle the potential sale that could materialize at any moment. To position a potential sale, gallery directors had the responsibility to hang art on a particular wall with specific lighting to enhance its features and take professional photos from many different angles. Sometimes, short teaser videos were also produced. If and when buyers expressed interest in a certain piece, gallery directors immediately seized upon the opportunity, lest the customer move on to another choice. As these exchanges were almost exclusively via email, it became very important for gallery directors to sell themselves as much as the art and artists they were promoting. The “art of conversation” pivoted from in-person to email messaging. The goal? Provide the potential buyer with as much information on the artwork and artist to build the collector’s confidence in purchasing “sight unseen” pieces. The browsing, negotiation, and sales cycle of selling art virtually can be frustrating with a lot of “back and forth” messages, but nonetheless, it’s always exciting to finally close a sale.

Gallery owners and directors never fully gave up on in-person sales, but the large-scale exhibition debuts gave way to smaller, carefully planned receptions. Planning these events and openings far in advance became the norm. RSVPs were required, with specific time slots to maintain proper social distancing, crowd control and compliance with public safety requirements such as masking. Many events, including art fairs, developed outdoor exhibitions or online virtual art fairs, which decentralized the vibe and brand of individual gallery events—but helped keep the sales pipeline afloat. For the time being, it appears that the smaller, more intimate gatherings will continue to supplant the big blow-out openings in the pre-Covid area. But this isn’t an altogether a negative development.

There is one final viewpoint worth mentioning, from the gallery director’s perspective on selling art in the time of Covid. Market disruption related to the pandemic led to a strengthening of the relationship ties between artists and the gallery owners who feature their works. This is due in part because many collectors and investors, buoyed with extra time on their hands, suddenly had the bandwidth to conduct a lot of online research for shopping for art on their own. More than a few buyers began contacting artists directly to negotiate deals for specific artwork pieces, attempting to bypass the gallery completely—even if they were initially introduced to the artist’s work by the gallery.  The gallery-artist relationship is one predicated on the bonds of trust and requires co-dependence in adhering to each of their respective roles. Though in some cases this trust was tested, the business model and roles of the artist-gallery relationship remain largely intact.

As vaccinations continue to ramp up in the U.S. and globally, collectors, interior designers, and investors have steadily regained their comfort level in visiting galleries in person to search for fine art. Foot traffic has begun to increase exponentially, taking us back to selling art face-to-face, yet the virtual option remains robust. The experience of viewing art still produces a sacred and shared emotional reaction among us all. Every participant in the fine art industry, be they an artist, gallery owner, director, collector, designer, or investor, can still agree on one key premise of the business model. Given any of the alternatives, there’s simply no substitute for contemplating the emotion and wonder of artwork in person.

About the Author: Paul Dahmen is the Gallery Director at Markowicz Fine Art in Laguna Niguel, CA. Dahmen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Art History from Wayne State University in Detroit.

Dahmen moved to southern California and began as an art consultant at William Merrill Gallery in Laguna Beach. After a stint at Gebert Gallery in Venice, he created FP Contemporary gallery under the same roof as an art consulting firm in Culver City. When the opportunity to manage Markowicz Fine Art presented itself in 2021, he was excited to return to Orange County and begin the next chapter of his established art career. He can be reached at paul@markowiczfineart.com

The post Selling in the Time of Covid appeared first on Art Business News.

But as we navigate a changing world, there’s also the opportunity to find old and new things that inspire our creativity. Regardless of what you think of the world, politics, social issues, or the pandemic itself, 2021 is a fertile time for creative inspiration. Here are five ways to allow 2021 to be a positive influence on your art.

1. EMBRACE A NATURE-TECHNOLOGY BALANCE

The art world pivoted through the pandemic. Virtual exhibits and galleries sprung up, and just as many others did, artists and their clients learned to keep things going virtually. Through it all, we got a little tired of Zoom calls and virtualizing everything.

In 2021, as we get back to visiting new and old places, it’s a great time to reconnect with nature, those forests, mountains, or oceans that have helped us tap our creativity in the past. And exploring some new nature areas is probably a good idea, too.

At the same time, the technology we relied on to get through the pandemic has become a tremendous force in our lives. It’s easy to think in either/or terms when it comes to technology and nature. But let’s remember, technology connects us to new places and people, too.

Use the encyclopedic knowledge your phone offers to find new nature experiences. Take it a step further and use technology to share the experiences with others through social channels. Human connections are important for our well-being, and they can keep our perspectives fresh. But when you’re mentally dialed into freshwater flowing in a creek or stream, power down.

2. SHAKE UP YOUR CREATIVE ROUTINE OR SPACE 

Without structure or routine, it’s difficult to complete a creative effort. 2021 is a perfect time to shake up your creative routine. If you’re a morning person, it can be as simple as exploring potential creative times later in the day. Or take a weekend to re-arrange your studio, re-decorate, put a fresh coat of paint or an accent wall in it. Sometimes, small changes or shifts to what’s on a wall or desk can spur new ideas.

You can also venture to an online forum where other artists discuss their creative process or read books on creativity to help you find other avenues to inspiration and productivity.

3. EMBRACE DIFFERENCES, PUSH YOUR COMFORT ZONE SOCIALLY

It’s no secret that the past year-and-a-half has seen tremendous challenges with regard to political and social issues, and the word “polarizing” has been a lexical mainstay. But in 2021, pushing your social and personal comfort zones may inspire a new artistic journey – if you’re willing to take the risk.

2021 is a great year to explore different cultures and perspectives, even views that are different from your own. Dare we say, even ones you may have completely disagreed with in the past.

You can start by reading and researching. As you gather information, avoid taking a position on what you learn; be a fact-seeker and observer instead. You can even challenge yourself to view something you dislike differently. You can also make a concerted effort to help others, a neighbor, or get involved in a charity effort. You never know who you’ll meet, what they’ll teach you, and how they could inspire you to create.

4. TAKE MORE PHOTOS AND PRINT THEM 

In a video-driven society, there is still nothing better than capturing the moment with a photo. You don’t have to be an illustrator to allow this practice to inspire you. It’s in our nature to see images, experience memories, thoughts, and feelings, and the door to inspiration is suddenly open.

Even better, print out some photos. Our phones produce excellent images. The downside is that the photos get lost in the virtual sea of digital pics and many go overlooked. Create a digital catalog of your year and print some hard copies; use them in collages or as décor in your studio.

The world is a tremendous canvas that’s moving very fast. Capturing laughs, art, action, and everyday life can be a fantastic way to fuel your imagination – this year and beyond.

5. FIND YOUR OWN COLOR OF THE YEAR

With so much change occurring in the past year-and-a-half, paint manufacturers seemed slightly at odds with choosing their annual colors of the year for home interiors and exteriors. These efforts are often tied to trends in home décor and social sentiments.

Color experts agreed that in 2021 people will seek out comfort in warm and cool hues and soothing tones. But everyone seemed to have very different views about what color types achieved these emotional responses. The result: a more eclectic mix of colors of the year than ever.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Glidden’s Aqua Fiesta, Sherwin-Williams’ Urbane Bronze, Benjamin Moore’s Chestertown Buff, or any of the other diverse color selections. Try some out and see where your creativity takes you!

FIND THE JOY IN 2021

To many of us, the world may look and feel a little different today than a short time ago. But some of the old rules for spurring our creativity still apply. Pushing our personal boundaries, experiencing new things with an open mind, and keeping our perspective open to new ideas will still inspire our art this year and next.

About the Author: Ray Ko is the Senior Ecommerce Manager at shopPOPdisplays, located in New Jersey, shopPOPdisplays is a leading retail displays manufacturer of point-of-purchase displays. Combining over 20 years of experience in branding, content, search engine marketing, Ray is an expert in formulating and implementing e-commerce strategies to drive site traffic, improve user engagement, and increase revenue.

The post 5 Positive Ways to Allow 2021 to Inspire Your Art appeared first on Art Business News.

Individual appreciation of art makes it difficult to develop a single conclusion on the value of art in the life of a person. For instance, some people appreciate paintings while others would rather enjoy music. The beauty of such music or painting is not considered uniform. For this reason, there is no agreement yet on the value of art in generating happiness.

That notwithstanding, art is individually pleasant. The enjoyment of music, for example, does not require the approval of other people. Here is how art generates happiness for consumers and creators.

Consuming Art

There are successful artists in the world, each operating in a particular sphere. It means that most of people around the world are consumers of art products like music, paintings, sculpture, embroidery, and jewelry, among other forms. How does the consumption of such art bring happiness? Here are a few insights.

• Relaxing

Art is relaxing, moving you to a realm of happiness. Think about music and how it helps listeners to calm down. It gets better when you sing along to the verses or perform music prepared by other people.

Music is also used as a form of therapy during reflection and yoga. Music relaxes the mind, helping you to deal with anxiety and tough situations in life. In a relaxed state, your mind is calm and can handle tougher situations. If you want to calm down the mind and feel at ease, enjoy your favorite or art.

• Relieves stress

Art is a stress reliever. Tour a gallery or attend a festival while your mind is bogged down by heavy thoughts. Dance to music or visit an art gallery. You may also paint to express your anxiety and keep the mind occupied so that you do not get lost in negative thoughts.

Music therapy has been in use for years. Kings, patients, and children enjoyed the music during tough times. It will change your mood instantly when you engage in one art form or the other. Luckily, there are no side effects to using art as a stress reliever. Further, you can enjoy a lot of art free of charge.

• Ignites Creativity

Do you want to be a more creative individual, entrepreneur, or worker? Embrace art and your perspective of life will change. A lot of sadness comes from being stuck with a situation or failure to find solutions. Once you engage in an art like poetry or painting, your imagination limits expand. You begin to see possibilities. What appeared impossible now becomes possible.

A creative person is a happier human being. You first enjoy your ability to solve problems through creativity. The solutions you provide may also come with monetary rewards. This creativity will also send more information into your brain, leaving you more energetic and innovative. All these are ways of deriving happiness from art.

• Builds Beautiful Memories

Visiting new places and engaging with people is one way of packing beautiful memories in life. When you dance or tour a gallery, you are building an album of memories that will become a constant source of happiness. During some of these engagements, you participate actively. For instance, you may paint or sing in a karaoke. You experience instant joy and will live with the memories through the years.

• Keeps you Healthier

A healthy person is a happy person. The reverse can also be true. Once you are happy by engaging in art, you improve the quality of your life, leaving you healthier. Touring beautiful places, participating in art, and engaging people is a great source of happiness.

Participatory art takes the benefit of good health a notch higher. Once you dance for a few hours, the body counts that as physical exercise as well. It sends happiness hormones to the brain, leaving you healthier. Even the avoidance of stress or relieving anxiety through art will count among the contributors of happiness through art.

Art for Artists

Art creators enjoy multiple benefits beyond those of consuming their own art. The process of creation is a great source of happiness. Here are insights on how art will make the creator happy.

• A form of expression

Artists use their creations to express their inner emotions and situations. For instance, a painter may draw a picture as a form of therapy to deal with emotions and frustrations. It also happens when singers release happy and sad songs to express their current state of mind. Once these emotions are released, the artist remains a healthier person going forward.

• Takes you to beautiful places

Art will get you to places you never imagined. Examples are the exhibitions happening in different cities across the world. Traveling with your art comes with incredible joy and fulfillment. At the same time, you meet global celebrities, leaders, and icons in different sectors. Such an experience comes with a lot of excitement, memories, and joy. Without art, such an experience would be impossible.

• Comes with appreciation

The world is made of good people who appreciate beautiful art. Their appreciation gladdens your heart, leaving you happier and satisfied. The satisfaction is only understandable to art creators.

• Source of income

Art is a source of income. The income helps you to improve your quality of life. At the same time, you can use the money to travel or enjoy the good things of life. Such enjoyment of traveling is an incredible source of happiness.

The joy of art is in building a community, offering livelihood to creators, and the overall experience of participating in art. Whether you are a creator or a consumer, you have endless opportunities to draw joy from art. Choose your most pleasant art and build beautiful memories around its creation or consumption.

Author Bio: Anna Johnson is a freelance writer at Mypaperwriter.com specializing in college experience, entrepreneurship, and freelancing. Having worked in these areas, she gives practical and actionable tips. Her joy is to see students create the best college experience and make maximum use of their youthful years.

The post Can Art Really Make You Happier? appeared first on Art Business News.

Located in Champagne, France, Pommery’s grounds are unique in that they not only create simply delicious champagne but also host annual art exhibitions throughout the Maison Pommery property.

Maison Pommery has been a major player in the world of arts since its creation, focusing on contemporary art as a thrust of its patronage. Imagine visiting an esteemed modern House of Champagne and finding a world-class art collection. Pommery, always at the forefront of progress, trying to be in advance of technology, whether winemaking or in the art world, guides you through their art collection and installations with their app. Step by step, you will be completely immersed and virtually integrated, walking in the caves and through the exhibition, with an abundance of details and information.

Here at Art Business News, we had the pleasure of asking Madame Nathalie Vranken, co-owner, and head of the marketing division for Pommery, a few questions to learn more about the incredible Pommery Art Collection — from how it originated to how they choose the artists, and when their next exhibition will take place.

The art collection seen throughout Maison Pommery is made of the memories of past exhibitions in the cellars of the Domain Pommery Reims. New exhibitions are offered every year, typically from April through November. They are quite extensive and require three to four months to produce. At Pommery,  they believe the art installations are equally as important as their champagne harvest, which Madame Vranken attributes to “one of the greatest moments of the year.”

The artists are selected by Madame Vranken and a curator that changes with each exhibition. They choose a theme and then select the artists from there. The artists are received individually and the artwork is presented in the cellars at the beginning of the project. Madame Vranken also says “most of the art pieces are special productions for the exhibition. Only a few will reach the collection, pieces we particularly appreciate. Every exhibition is a new Arty Adventure, each including 40 different pieces.”

Pommery produces an inspiring video of their art installations, some with placement in their caves, some pieces of the collection spread out in the Domain Pommery, and some presented in the offices where the employees of Pommery can enjoy seeing them.

The exhibition is open to the public through visits to the cellars, which are usually open daily.  Although Pommery is currently closed due to COVID-19, they are continuing to work towards their new exhibition, which they anticipate will be open at the beginning of June in a new space, The Cellier Pompadour.

To see a spectacular video of their cellar and art installations, visit the RAVE Virtual Art Experience site: https://redwoodartgroup.com/rave/pommery-champagne/

To learn more about Pommery and their art installations visit their website: https://www.champagnepommery.com/home

The post Art and Champagne with Madame Vranken appeared first on Art Business News.

Q: Who are you and what do you do?

A: I am a British multi-disciplinary artist based in London. Most of my works are body impressions and paintings and I am inspired by performance art and self-development. I explore the human connection to the self, modern perceptions of beauty, and social pressure that hinder our health and happiness. 

Q: What is your background?

A: I grew up in a small village on the Hampshire/Wiltshire border. The “small town” conservative attitudes and Christian traditions had me anxious to break out and explore the world. Traveling alone and moving to London helped me “de-layer” the conditioned beliefs and ideas that made me feel trapped and uncomfortable. 

After completing an Illustration HND in Swindon in my very early twenties, my drive for art and connection directed me into the makeup industry where I thrived. I was able to work on-set with celebrities, top designers, big brands, and inspiring teams. Although I loved this work and all the opportunities that came with it, it led me to become ill and exhausted. The fashion industry exasperated issues I had with my own ideas and perceptions of beauty, and I struggled to manage my mental health. Somewhere deep inside I knew this lifestyle was damaging to my health. Towards the end of my twenties, I had a breakdown that led me to explore a different source of self-expression.

Dancing has always been in my blood, as a child, I would dance for hours at concerts and local events. Dance and movement were always a form of therapy for me in my teens. Every part of me felt alive and happy when I danced, so when I burned out, I leaned into this practice more. One night a close friend convinced me to audition at one of the biggest strip clubs in the country, and the rest was history.

This proved to be the biggest breakthrough for my soul and for me as an artist. I danced nights in the club for 5 years and my body impressions pay homage to that practice and search for self-liberation.

Q: How do you work?

A: I started body impressions in 2016. I love the female form and felt that brushes weren’t expressive enough. They were not translating the truth and vulnerability as I wanted them to. Body impressions transcribe the physical form in a very raw literal sense. This method nourishes and grounds me. It pulls me into the present and feels instinctively authentic. They are a pure exposure of ‘the self’; no lies, no cover-up, and they are beautiful. I am also inspired by other artists that came before me; I have always been energized by the body of work from Yves Klein and David Hammons. Both used the human body to create works and the impressions they left, both figuratively and literally, always drew me in.

Q: What art do you most identify with?

A: Art that has passion, energy, and light. Art that makes me ponder and daydream, art that ultimately ignites my own creativity and love for life. Performance, installations, and good music move me the most. 

Q: What has been your favorite experience so far as an artist?

A: Stage performances at the club did wonders for my mental health and every time I entered the spotlight floor I felt at one with every part of my body. It was the most liberating and expressive experience I have ever encountered. My health turned around when I started dancing. I am grateful for the time I spent in that place. 

Q: Who inspires you?

A: When I am connected and “in the vortex” (as Abraham Hicks would say) I am inspired. Meditation and self-care are rituals I practice daily. For me, it’s acknowledging that there is a higher power of process guiding and supporting me. When I meet other people or see creations that communicate that “higher vibrational energy” it ignites my own creativity and drives me to express and play with ideas and concepts. 

Q: What is the best advice you have received?

A: “Listen to your gut.”

Q: When you are not working where can we find you?

A: Playing hide and seek with my one-year-old son, Ocean, taking walks in the park, and soaking up news sights and experiences. Oh, and drinking lots of great coffee.

Q: How has your career as an artist shifted during the past year?

A: I became a mother last year. Ocean turned one in February and it’s been a hell of a roller coaster and balancing act trying to parent and paint. Recently, my work has been very ‘earthy’ and grounding. Motherhood has transformed my art, the way it has transformed me into a more nurturing and compassionate human. Beautiful and testing shifts have taken place, I am more appreciative of my time, designing and creating things now feels far more nourishing and sacred. I have a strong social media following which continues to grow and art sales are rising, despite the fact the country has been shut down for nearly a year now, this fills me with more confidence as an artist, and a mother who is also an artist because I am making it work. 

To learn more about Bethany, browse her pieces, and collect her work make sure to check out her website and follow her on Instagram @bethanyperryart.

The post Meet the Artist: Bethany Perry appeared first on Art Business News.