The News Today Online

Rational Insanity

By Bryan Mari Argos

An anatomy of art

Art imitates life; according to many artists and art critics; the images that we see on a canvass, in a poem, and on stage, are all reflections of life. I remember one of my mentors in poetry telling me that for something to be true on the metaphorical level, it has first, to be true on the literal level. The classic example that Marcel would always give is “how can liquid tears shatter because it is glass that shatters and not anything liquid such as tears.” This alone proves that although art may be pleasing to the eyes or the mind of an art critic, art actually represents the grim realities of life, making it easier to bear. To someone who may not have experienced art by heart, this conclusion would seem to put all artists in the realm of euphemism and genteelism; however, such a statement is the standing evidence that all TRUE artists are blessed with the ability to paint a rose from a drop of blood or to weave a story from a piece of paper blown aimlessly by the wind. Art immortalizes that which is passing and temporary. Life eventually fades away, but with art around, even death becomes a poem or a painting or a stage performance. It is on this premise that I express loathe over people who hide under the pretenses of art to fulfill their own personal and selfish interests. These people corrupt the purity of art and discredit its power to illicit social change.

I always tell young artists I meet that they should be able to quantify their art and not settle for anything less than what they are worth. Exploitation is very common among young inexperienced. These young minds usually fall victim to green-eyed hypocritical arts patrons who make a livelihood out of art. While there are people who are truly committed to the arts in the most sincere manner, there are also many people out there who have seen the marketability of art and have sacrificed a genuine love for their craft in exchange for economic uplift. In this light, art can be viewed as something with so many facets; facets that stand for its heart and soul, its flesh and blood. I was always told that there is no money in the arts, but sometimes we have to accept the fact that not everything in this life should point towards the economic direction. We can make a business out of our art, but not to the extent of sacrificing its integrity and totally disregarding what art really stands for. What does art stand for, anyway?

Art, as I said, represents life, therefore, art is not what it seems to be – true art can be seen only by someone who can see the final flick of the wrist in the final brushstrokes of a painting, the intense concentration of a poet immortalized by the final period at the end of his poem, or the sweat behind the make-up of a stage actor who has to laugh because laughing is a vital part of his/her role. True, art can be sold, and art can make one rich, but being blinded by the economic possibilities in art destroys and corrupts the real meaning of art itself. We writers write because it is our passion – it is this passion that is the lifeblood of many an artist who must brave the cold of winter with a bottle of whiskey only to write what the heart speaks of. It is this passion that fans the imaginary flame in a dysfunctional fireplace only so the artist can enter the last and final stroke on the smile of the Monalisa. Passion is what keeps art alive. When I said that we artists should see what we are worth, we should understand that our art is shared for free, because the most valuable things in life are priceless. The financial benefits that we get from our art are not the reasons that we keep on doing it but merely fringe benefits that come with our passion. Now, if we notice that our art is corrupted by the price tag attached to it, it is time to take a sabbatical and reconsider why we are doing our craft in the first place – what are the reasons for our interest in the arts; and when we realize that the things that make our art valuable no longer add up to the word ‘passion’ it is about time that we rescind all our efforts aimed at objectives that exclude passion and start fresh. A true artist can only be immortalized by this passion, otherwise, we may die with rings on every finger, and a monumental mausoleum to our name, but with our painting, poem, or performance fluttering away towards oblivion.

Young artist, be passionate about what you are doing. The world is such a great big canvass that each time we sit down to spend a silent moment with our craft we are given an opportunity to paint on a new rainbow on life’s great blank canvass. Be wary, young artist; make sure that for every brushstroke, for every word, and for every performance you send out to the wind, you keep your intentions intact. Make sure that for as long as you live, love; and for as long as you live as an artist; love your craft. Sneer at those who only value you for what you can offer, economically, and for what you can contribute in making a world of difference.

Be rational; be insane…every once in a while!!TTFN! Hello to my dearest readers, to Dot, Verona, James, Sheen, Hellpen, Anne, Mary Dale, Chan,Michelle, Zarthus, Jonald, Mr. Bobot, Vic, Vincent, and Rex, Alex, Arvin, Corz, Jim, Kiara, Malikh, Audrae, Franz, Hendrick, Janice, Jay, Jim, Jonathan, Mark, Marz, Mel, Pres, Nhonoy, Niel, Piper, Rheavil, Joey, Alma, Rodolfo, Ecker, Ryan, Roni, Ian, Narle, Sunny and to Anuj of CMC, I love you all! Byers! Salamat gid sa mga walang-hintong text and reactions nyo! Catch Rational Insanity in TNT’s online edition, check us out at www.thenewstoday.info, text me at (0920)9254269, or email me at prague@eudoramail.com. Byers! Mmmmmmmwah!