What is your definition of art? Maybe it’s something that humans create and has value, whether it’s monetary or sentimental. Some would say that art is something unique and has a lasting impact on history or elicits emotions from people. Maybe all of these parameters apply to your definition of art. Now name as many different forms of art that you can think of. Most people would include paintings, sculptures, writing, music, photography, film and maybe even cooking or modifying cars, but not many people would consider human life as an art form.
Merriam-webster defines art as “works created by artists that are created to be beautiful or to express important ideas or feelings”
Just as any work of art is completely different than every other work, every human life is unique in their physical and mental characteristics which are shaped by life experiences. Also, every human undoubtedly elicits emotions from other people through their actions, just like a how a remarkable song or beautiful painting draws an emotional response in its audience. If art is created by artists and human life can be categorized as “art,” then every child is born a developing piece of art, and their parents are the artists. In that sense, human life is the only form of art where the art and the artists are one in the same, therefore life is the ultimate and eternal form of art.
Just as one would appreciate a powerful and touching photo or an enrapturing film, the art of life should be appreciated even more so. Next time you look at the people around you or in the mirror at yourself, begin to see human life as the magnificent art form it is, for the physical and mental qualities of human life are more intricate and influential than any painting or song. What would you do if you realized you had the world’s most valuable work of art within yourself, a masterpiece worth an innumerable amount of money, that had the ability to change the world. Would you throw it away? Burn it? Hide it in the attic? Or would you gloriously display it for everyone to see?
