The Craftsmanship of the Soul

Liam, Aliza, Kayla

 

What is the purpose of art? From what aspect of art does enjoyment stem? The answer will vary, depending on to whom the question is begged. Some will say that art is a reflection of the great intimacies of life. Common waypoints that can be understood by all who walk life’s vast branching trail. Something relatable, something comforting.

 

Others will say art is meant to elicit discomfort, sadness, discovery, joy, and all other emotions in between. That art should highlight the nuance of these feelings, and say something profound of the human condition. All of these answers can stem from any part of a person’s being: their personal experience, their values, the things they enjoy, the things they believe; and they are all as right as they are wrong.

 

The lowest common denominator of all these, however, is one’s understanding and appreciation of art, regardless of how the particulars manifest. This is the reason why art entirely derivative of the artist is difficult to understand and appreciate by most. Oscar Wilde once claimed that the purpose of art is to conceal the artist, and to reveal the art. But what of the antithesis? What of the art that reveals the artist, rather than concealing them?

 

An unfinished poem written of a lover, on the basis of obsolete emotions, never sent and never received. A diary, kept to chronicle the life of one person, preserve their experiences and their discovery, and maintain the illusion of longevity that fosters in one’s memories. A desk, built at the tail end of one’s life to contain their belongings, capture their soul, and continue their legacy.

 

When someone creates a piece of art such as this, it is impossible to understand every aspect of it, because it is impossible to know with doubtless certainty the meaning and origin behind them. These are pieces that are meant to reveal the artist through the art. A mahogany desk. Built with the craftsmanship of a life well lived. A desk, the dark brown wood reflecting the sorrows and wisdoms of one’s experience.

 

To anyone beside the creator, this art is nothing less than unextraordinary. Something relatable, yet dissonant all the same. Beautiful, yet impartial. Enjoyable, but never essential. Not generic, but not unheard of. A gorgeous furnishing, representing nothing more than that to the eyes of anyone but it’s creator, to whom it may mean the world to. The desk carries with it the craftsmanship of one’s soul. The beauty of all that is the individual, the artist. The craftsmanship of the soul, drawing from a life that has been lived by one person, and communicating all that is worth being communicating to those who have not lived that life.

 

It is these pieces that happened to answer the question of “what is the purpose of art” in a way that is most comprehensive. Art can be relatable, enjoyable, meaningful, emotional, cathartic even, but it never any one of those things, nor is it every one of them. This desk can be all that to some people. It is the craftsmanship of the soul. The life of it’s creator is captured, in all its essence and character, in this desk. And to some others, it may be nothing more than a beautiful desk. And that, the purpose of art.

 

Dedicated to Don, a man who has lived a good life (and built a beautiful desk!).  

 

 

 

via GIPHY

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *