Why I Make Art
Gwenn: Why do you make art? Is it for human connection? Is it to share of yourself? Is it to make money?
Gwenn: I make art in order to save the world. And I know that that reason might seem outrageous and maybe even a little egotistical, but it’s not.
Gwenn: And I want to explain why, using the three other reasons that were given before: human connection, sharing of yourself, and making money.
Gwenn: Making art to make human connection. I think that most of us at some point in our lives feel like nobody gets us. Like we have feelings that other people never feel and like we’re alone.
Gwenn: And then at some point, we also end up encountering an artwork that proves to us that that’s not the case, that at least someone else gets it cause they made art about it.
Gwenn: And that renewed human connection that we get through art, saves us a little bit and helps us to be better connected with the rest of society and to want to contribute to it and to contribute to the happiness of others.
Gwenn: It is a good in the world. So, that human connection that comes from art is saving us.
Gwenn: Making art to share of yourself. I definitely make myself vulnerable through my art. And I think that when others, both artists and non-artists, see me making myself vulnerable, it makes them want to be braver too.
Gwenn: And a world where people are braver and braver every day, that’s a world where something good is going to happen.
Gwenn: Making art in order to make money. When artists make money with their work, they are saving the world just a little bit. Every penny that is spent on art is a penny that, for the moment, cannot be spent on violence.
Gwenn: I’m talking about the terrifically expensive violence of war. I’m talking about the violence of the ongoing slave trade that is still a plague on our society.
Gwennennes: I am talking about the everyday violence of corporations who are destroying our environment and destroying our health with their products.
Gwenn: So whenever money, any little bit of money, goes towards art, that money for the moment is going towards a good in the world, something that’s fostering human connections, that’s making people braver, that’s bringing good to the world.
Gwenn: I make art in order to save the world.
Vocabulary:
outrageous – shockingly bad, unusual, or bold in a way that causes strong surprise or disbelief, “The price of a single movie ticket at that new luxury theater is absolutely outrageous.”
egotistical – excessively self-centered, conceited, or absorbed in oneself, “He is so egotistical that he talks about his own achievements for hours without asking about anyone else.”
encountering – meeting, running into, or experiencing someone or something unexpectedly, “The traveler enjoyed encountering new cultures and traditions during her trip around the world.”
renewed – restored, revived, or started again with fresh energy, strength, and commitment, “After a relaxing weekend at the beach, she returned to work with a renewed sense of enthusiasm.”
contribute to – to give money, time, effort, or ideas to help achieve a collective goal or cause, “Every team member must contribute to the presentation to ensure we get a high grade.”
vulnerable – open to physical or emotional harm, criticism, or judgment; easily hurt or exposed, “Sharing your personal diary with others can make you feel incredibly vulnerable.”
plague – a continuous, severe cause of widespread trouble, distress, annoyance, or destruction, “Littering and pollution continue to be a terrible plague on the city’s beautiful public parks.”
corporations – large companies or groups of businesses authorized to act officially as a single entity, “Many multinational corporations are trying to reduce their carbon footprints by using solar energy.”
fostering – encouraging, promoting, or helping the positive growth and development of something, “The teacher created a friendly classroom environment aimed at fostering teamwork among the students.”