Living in Portland has given me an opportunity to expand my understanding of the arts. Art is one of the biggest reasons I came to school in Portland, actually. I’ve always been involved in the Arts, so it’s in my nature to never want to be in a place without it. I grew up with a creative soul, participating in dance, theater, film, orchestra. When I came to school I was required to pick a class that is sort of like a homeroom class, and the category I chose was called “Work of art.” The first day of class, the professor began with the question, “What is art?” and everybody had to share an answer. Each person held a unique viewpoint; some had a more difficult time than others. Some people even forgot that it’s totally normal to have the same opinion as someone else and they didn’t need to think of some deep, philosophical answer. Because honestly, art isn’t something deep and philosophical, most of the time.
Despite this, most people came up with the answer, “Everything.”
What do they mean by “Everything”? Does that include “Nothing”? Since nothing is also included in everything. I mean, nothing doesn’t really mean nothing. When someone asks you “what’s up?” and you reply “nothing”, are you really doing “nothing”? You’re always doing something. So, to me, it would make sense why nothing would also be art. If you go up into the vast vicinity of space where there is complete darkness and cannot see a single thing is that called nothing? Do you consider that art? Think about people who are blind who don’t get the opportunity to see the same kind of art you see. They still see art through nothingness. In a span of darkness we see the color black; in our dreams that we don’t remember, we do remember blackness. Everything is art, and nothing is art. I could go on forever on what is considered “everything” and what is considered “nothing.”
Art is so important and people can believe it to be anything they want it to be and can see it anywhere they want to see it. After some time of being in this class, we all explored what is art in our own mind and how we see it around Portland. Every time I walk down the street I see people wearing the most absurd outfits. I’ve gone to art gallery openings and have seen artists dressed the way their art looks, and let me tell you, it’s AWESOME.
I am so fascinated by human behavior that even our existence is art. Everything we do is art. The way we walk, the way we talk, they way we grocery shop (I mean, if you’re the Andy Warhol type). Every move you make is never going to be made again. If you walk down the street and go back to do it again, there is no way that it will be exactly the same, and that is such a beautiful thing. I see people walk down the streets in the craziest ways, talking to walls, eating some food I have never heard of.
I appreciate all the random pieces of art I see on the sidewalk. Some of them make no sense, but it does to somebody out there. There's horse statues, graffiti and murals, stacked blocks, and fountains made just for the citizens that walk Portland and need something to cheer up their day. If you walk around certain crowded places you will see many people performing on the streets who are actually quite good and it’s so great to see that something will help them get through their day while inspiring others.
There are painters, dancers, photographers, actors, sculptors, carpenters, technicians, office workers, teachers, drivers, cooks, football players, and so on. All of these and more are using their art to contribute to the world. People need to recognize what their art is and know that as long as they have passion, and a reasoning behind why it is considered art, then it can bring art to the world. The world can’t breathe without creativity, so find something to call your art and know it is inspiring others out there no matter where they are. I love Portland and the art it has given me, and I hope you can experience this and ask yourself the question, “What is Art?”. Everything? Nothing? Or something in between?
