Michael Robinson, Staff Reporter
HOW important is art? In situations where the viewing audience is completely oblivious to what the artist is 'trying to say', does art still have beneficial value?
Art is such a fundamental thing like love and zen and all those other things that can only be experienced to be understood that, not surprisingly, it has positive effects even when the audience has no idea what they're seeing (or hearing).
The key lies in the relationship between brain waves and creativity. Alpha, beta, delta and theta waves are waves of extremely low frequencies that are all produced by the brain. Scientists have been studying these for years with the use of an electroencephalograph (EEG), a brain-wave recorder. It was found that people generate mostly delta and beta waves: delta in deep dreamless sleep states, and beta in states of high concentration and focus.
Alpha and theta waves are harder to come by and are associated with decreased stress and blood pressure, a stronger immune system, peak performance and creativity in the case of alpha waves. Theta waves are also present in moments of creativity, as well as paranormal phenomena such as telekinesis, ESP and out-of-body experiences.
During Average Joe's day, he works hard at his stress-filled job, which demands his concentration and emits purely beta waves. After work, he goes home and plops into bed, where, exhausted, he falls fast asleep, emitting mostly delta waves. Joe spends far less time producing stress-relieving blood pressure-lowering creativity-enhancing alpha and theta waves.
This is where art comes in.
Creators have bursts of alpha waves in moments of inspiration, and produce both alpha and theta waves during their creative times. This wave energy is physically transferred to the viewer in experiencing (e.g. looking at or listening to) the finished work. Even when a person 'doesn't get' a particular piece of art, they are still exercising their imagination and producing alpha waves. A true connoisseur will allow himself to be 'transported' to another level where both alpha and theta waves can be found at high levels in the brain.
Artists have the ability to tap into the energy at the source of creation and bring into this dimension tools to help others reach the same place. The artist, therefore, has a responsibility to society. His/her inspiration is energy made manifest in forms that become an inspiration to others who knows which painting is going to help the next Picasso realise his calling? Creativity is a cycle.
Art is the voice and the conscience of society, as well as an antidote to the best of my knowledge, no one has ever been shot at a gallery opening. The artist challenges us, makes us think, even if we disagree, and allows us to expand ourselves. The art takes our bodies and our brains to another realm, a different frequency - a more positive vibration.
