Life and Art As an End In Itself
In the realm of artistic expression and the appreciation of life, there are certain moments and artworks that stand alone as ends in themselves.
Aristotle's concept of Eudaemonia, happiness in a life well lived, is inherently dynamic, emphasizing holistic and continuous flourishing in various aspects of life. It involves the ongoing development of goodness, meaningful relationships, and problems solved by reason. When artists express Eudaemonia in static artworks, they capture and encapsulate a moment or vision of flourishing, offering viewers a glimpse into what Eudaemonia might look like. The artwork becomes a representation of the artist's pursuit of well-being, frozen in time, allowing observers to contemplate and find inspiration in that singular expression of joy and fulfillment, and it is experienced as an end in itself.
Criticism, though a great tool in various areas, is limited when it comes to the content of a painting. I can't speak for other more dynamic forms like literature and music that have a time component. From my artistic perspective, I've discovered that my primary task is to present a special moment as an end in itself, meaning there is no other development. In contrast, if the content of the artwork is criticism, then it suggests that the world and people need to be fixed in some way. So, the artwork as criticism has some didactic message, a lesson to learn, or some activism to undertake—in essence, that view is that art is some vehicle to get to something else—reducing art to some kind of manual or propaganda.
Truth, I believe, finds its place in criticism, science, philosophy, and law. Truth serves as a means to understand, critique, and subsequently act. Though great art contains truths, art is more about showing us what motivates us to live, the "why" of living.
Many artists, I know, view their works as truths about humanity, whether portraying positive or negative aspects. Art as an end in itself has no follow-up action and no morality lesson, rather it is a spiritual orgasm—a profound connection to the universe in an axiomatic manner, an experience that needs no other justification.
Consider moments of love, joy, care, perception, or even pride that stand as special moments we are happy to have experienced as ends in themselves. And sometimes, we wish that they could last forever. Our wish is granted through art.
Yes, the process of painting is so wonderful. I have to get back to it soon. When I can't figure something out, I can just zone on painting and think , think, think. What happens there is divine. Whatever the end result is is not the reason why I am there. I am there to feel as I watch the paint spread across the canvas. I love watching it happen and being in that moment. Thanks for reminding me. It feels good to know that it's just around the corner for me again. You are such a great painter, your end results are so beautiful. It's easy to see how at peace you must feel with your process. I wish everyone could have that. May they. May we all have an expression like this for ourselves whether it be nature, dance, music, art, anything that brings you that kind of private time and beauty. One time, when I was trying to decide how to play something at the piano, I decided "oh! I will play each note like a drop of paint in water"........that was a good innovation day. I wound up adding a rain in the background for that song and played about rain and color. It's also a lot of fun to have different artistic experiences that you can put together like that. It's like being "somewhere else" for a while. I could just stay that way 80% of the time. Of course you need rest and exercise and groceries and laundry done....never mind. I could do that 60% of the time :) This painting is wonderful. I love it. I like how you are representing the energies in the in between places along with your beautiful and graceful figure.
Well put and an excellent article 🙏