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CELEBRATING
SELF-EXPRESSION THROUGH THE ARTS
Adam Blatner
Life may be enhanced significantly by participation in arts activities: Dancing, singing, writing and reciting poetry, making cartoons and drawing pictures, moving in interesting ways, weaving drama into everyday events, and so forth—all are useful vehicles for promoting a sense of vitality and authenticity. The point to be emphasized is that we must actively fight cultural tendencies to implicitly suggest that only the highly talented, skilled, or dedicated deserve to perform in these ways. Perhaps that’s a little true if one wishes to make a living at it, but that’s different from just doing it as part of life.
The culture’s ramping up the vividness of visual effects, the loudness of music, the elaborateness of subtle devices, all feed into the illusion that satisfaction in the arts can come from the outside, rather than through doing-from-within. Both kinds are valid sources, but the doing-from-within offers advantages not obtainable from the finest and most professional or awe-inspiring professional productions.
Another factor that ties in is the fear of shame, of being mocked or teased for not being “that good”—compared to national arts celebrities. This also must be resisted. Parents need to sing to and with their kids, even if they’re not very good singers! Dancing can happen in family events, in churches, in various settings.
A third problem is that much of singing and dancing has been channeled into romance, emphasizing man-woman relationships, winning and losing, or dancing together (even just wiggling without steps). The point is again that we must exercise the courage to note that other forms of arts activities can be enjoyed.
“Amateur” is an interesting word, based on the term “ama”—the Latin term for “love.” It means doing what you really love. Some people love their work. Some people’s play forms are not really liked all that much. The point here is to recognize that exploring and developing your awareness of what you love, which includes singing, dancing, and other arts, can be an important component of a meaningful, well-rounded life.
On other webpages, I speak to the activity of folk dancing and song fests. Feel free to suggest additions! Redeem your natural heritage!
See other webpages on
Folkdancing for Fun Singing for the Fun of It The Art of Play Cartooning and related forms.