Why I Write: The Hypocrisy of Art in This Generation
In art, the value of your piece — in art, music or literature — is measured by the perceptions of the audience, the consumer, the receiver. The self-declared connoisseurs of art tell you that art is all about expression, but this expression is contingent on the receptiveness of the public eye. Art can only be appreciated when the audience resonates with and finds meaning in it, allowing them to evoke emotions when taking it in. I vividly remember walking into the Stedelijk museum in Amsterdam a month ago yearning to learn more about the author’s intention of the many pieces of grandeur, only to struggle to find even the simplest descriptions of the pieces. Descriptions were sparsely sprinkled across the museum, casting the spotlight on a select few. That baffled me, because how could a museum display an artwork without giving the author’s intention any credit? The cruelty of this narcissistic world meant that the world never ceases to revolve around ourselves, and the moment it does — we simply would no longer care.
How much of art then allows for true freedom of expression without moulding into the pressures of societal expectations and norms? To me, writing has always been a form of release, an escape from the tireless front we put up as we interact with strangers, acquaintances, or even sometimes our friends and family. I want this page to be a place where I feel comfortable in my own opinions and beliefs, even with my sometimes clumsy sentences or underdeveloped thoughts. Art should not be defined based on the interpretation of the audience, but rather the intent of the author, and how it relates to or brings new insights to the consumer. After all, the main character of your story should be you.
This platform has taken a lot of confidence for me to create, because I know that any public opinion is susceptible to dissent and controversy. But an opinion piece is not an opinion piece if it garners unanimous agreement; it becomes a factual recount. I truly hope that my writing and my experiences can be relatable and inspire some of you to start writing as well, because after all, our identity lies in the art of expression.