Along with the power to unlock the individual mind to the grievous nature of life today, art brings about communal healing and brotherhood. We bond over art. We socialize over art. Conversations happen solely based on a piece of art and the provided context. People who may not have even contemplated a concept, leave with a full understanding of someone else's perspective.
Art, simply put, not only gives life, but IS life. It is the breath and spirit that fills our lungs. How many times has a song made you cry? How many times has a scene in a show captivated you? Stopped you? How many times have you gasped at the confounding beauty of a painting? By allowing human beings to express themselves, art, also makes us express ourselves. It's a two-way street, a transaction, a multi-faceted ripple effect where artist and patron simultaneously transform. I becomes me. They becomes us. Here and now, there is no more important time in history for artistic expression.
War, disease, corruption, prejudice, famine, the wealth gap, environmental and natural disasters, tear into the fabric of what it means to be human. It's time for us to support and/or become artists. It's time for us to use our art medium to bring about positive societal change for ALL humans on this planet. Don't be blind to the power structure and the exploitation of the middle and lower classes. Open up to the reality that DEMANDS your artistry. Artivism is the answer, as it always has been.
by Kyle Roman, host of Artivism NOW!
