Jun
2015
Artifact 6: Creative Spirituality
Objectives:
- Become familiar with ways in which spirituality influences artists
- Discuss the differences between spirituality and religion
- Examine spirituality as a generative force and a well spring for creativity
Original Post:
What particularly drew me into this excerpt was when the author, A. Grey, started to talk about his experience with DMT and how his trip influenced the outcome of his painting. Through this he saw a better and clearer vision of what he wanted his piece to look like as he “[brought] the inner solution of [his] artistic problem to an outward form” (pg. 78).
The way he found inspiration from “seeing” other artist’s work was interesting. I like how he mentioned the idea of looking at works from Van Gough and Michelangelo and hearing their voices inside of his head. Grey talks about the idea that drawing is an outlet for your spirituality and way of seeing into some deeper meaning of what your art is interpreting. He adds how he has not “completely ‘seen’ a work of art until [he’s] drawn it” (pg. 87). As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. If I was a better at drawing, I think I would thoroughly enjoy the ability to draw what I was thinking rather than just saying words to verbally expressing what I feel or think.
Grey then proceeds to discuss the idea of the chakra’s existing in each and every one of us and how each chakra will influence the way we interpret and perceive the world around us. The idea that there are vibes that either the art, the people we surrounds ourselves with, or our environment have on us as individuals help us grow. Grey brings up the fact that we feel vibes from reading artist’s work allows us to appreciate the piece at a higher level of cognition (pg. 97). This brings me to the piece written by Ellen Dissanayake when she mentions art having a psychological or emotional pull on us that cause us to generate our idea of art (pg. 15). I think our spirituality has an influence over the way we perceive art. We stem our spirituality from personal beliefs and experiences, which then influences our perspectives on art.
Reflection:
I have found my love for crocheting. In my free time, I like to relax and create different pieces of work. I recently discovered this craft as my roommate had told me about her new hobby of knitting. In the picture above, that is my first finished crochet project that I made to intend on wearing when I get back home for Summer break. I feel crocheting has allowed me spirituality by allowing me to find peace with myself while creating new projects.
In the reading we had done in class, your spirituality can evolve, form, and make an impact in your life in various ways. Some people seek spiritual healers or leaders for higher intellect on finding their spiritual paths or something of a higher power. Others take different approaches such as engaging themselves in things they love or nothing at all. In the article by Grey, he talks about shifting in states of being and mindset when creating art. When I crochet, I do experience a time at which I reach a “state of mind where art flows irresistibly” (pg. 80). I agree with his statement about the idea that spirituality along with art must be developed. One of my classmates, Jingyi, mentioned her thoughts on the idea that spirituality must be cultivated and is accessible to all of us. I do think that spirituality is freely accessible, it takes intuition and a person’s decision whether or not they decide to harness theirs.
I have had this ongoing debacle with myself and other people where the fine line between spirituality and religion lay. I feel I have come to a somewhat solidified agreement with what the differences between the two are. I think that spirituality is something that develops within you based on outside influences and experiences. On the other hand, I believe religion is something you worship in a sense of seeking a higher power for guidance and a way to live your life by given certain rules and regulations the religion abides by. I agree with the statement another one of my classmates stated that “spirituality is defined as a connection with the self and the world that is not immediate and mostly not physical”. I agree with Nickolas’s statement as when we attempt to become spiritual, we are trying to reach that higher state of mind to feed and nurture our souls.
Future Goals:
This assignment really helped me understand and take a step back to see whether or not my own personal spiritual path has been altered or grown since I could understand what spirituality meant. I realized that I have definitely changed some of my core values although majority of them are still instilled within me today. I still have yet to learn about other types of spiritual paths that are out there. I look forward to expanding my horizons and learning about different people’s perspectives on their spiritual outlook on life and for themselves.
Bibliography:
Creative Spirituality Reflection. (2015, May 17). Retrieved June 9, 2015, from https://blogs.uoregon.edu/gemperle/2015/05/17/creative-spirituality-reflection/
Long, J. (2015, May 18). Jingyi Long’s site. Retrieved June 9, 2015, from https://blogs.uoregon.edu/aad250jingyi/2015/05/18/week-7/
Table of Contents:
Artifact 5: Personal Adornment
Artifact 6: Creative Spirituality