Consume Art
July 2022
Dear Kaibigan,
I miss novelty. My routine, as comforting as it is, couldn’t by its nature satisfy my desire for newness. My mind lately was starved of creative stimulation. It was not appreciating the predictability and stability of my routine, even the ways that I have been caring for myself. A routine that helped me to manage stress and to be involved in my relationships.
I got to thinking that I can just continue as is because that’s easier. Why not stay on the easier track? Why add another task? Well, the easier path for me was adding emotional and mental stress because it gave blandness when what I wanted was colorful, vibrant stimulation for my intellectual/mental wellness. I wanted to be inspired. I considered options and decided to channel my inner adventurer. I took myself on dates to museums.
I went to The Museum of the African Diaspora, The De Young Museum and The Contemporary Jewish Museum. My travel by public transportation and foot to these museums in San Francisco reminded me that art can be found all around us. I noticed sculptures in public areas erected between office buildings. I walked through gardens beautifully landscaped singing from its fountains and waterfall. I heard the music from a saxophonist and drummers vibrating through the streets of downtown San Francisco. I consumed art.
Each museum I visited revealed many forms of art. My self-dates to these museums gave me the experience to learn about varying cultures and the contributions of their artists. I was able to interact with museum staff, strangers and locals on the shared experience of consuming art. My intellectual, emotional and social wellness were satiated by art I consumed.
Art is a painting coming alive with watercolors, acrylics, and charcoal. Art is the written words in poetry and books conjuring emotions and imagery. Art is the garden decorated by colors and textures. Art is the sculpture defined by its carved lines. Art is the screenplay narrated through performance. Art is the architecture of a structure designed to encapsulate utilitarian and aesthetic desires. Art is the music and lyrics of songs composed by diverse lives. Look around you. Consume art.
Art bridges our understanding and appreciation of our world. Art inspires us to look at our environment, relationships and experiences in different ways. It is a tunnel we walk through into our feelings and thoughts. Art serves as a matchmaker between the creator and the observer in shared intimacy. Look around you. Consume art.
Our pasalubong for this month are different forms of art for you to consume and indulge your intellectual/mental wellness:
· Check out our dedicated page on intellectual/mental wellness to view art from my visit to The Museum of the African Diaspora, The Contemporary Jewish Museum, and the De Young Museum.
· A compilation of books worth your time.
· Photos of art I came across during recent walks.
· Oakland, CA has gorgeous murals on buildings, under highways, and along roads in its diverse neighborhoods. Explore this map to Oakland murals, https://localwiki.org/oakland/map/tags/mural#zoom=13&lat=37.79985&lon=-122.2267&layers=BTT
Visit https://www.visitoakland.com/things-to-do/arts-and-culture/murals/ for more details.
Look around you, kaibigan. Allow yourself to take in the many shapes and ways art is interwoven in your environment. Be inspired by art. Consume art.
Angel, on behalf of The Giving Well