Is art an extension of the ego?
(That’s one of the questions that are always on my mind, the things I’m constantly formulating and constructing theories about)
First of all.. what makes me ask this question? What’s the connection between art and ego?
Maybe the idea that “art” is a lifelong quest of wanting to “leave something behind” or “have an impact” like one’s small existence matters in any way, is what creates this association with “ego”.
But..
Looking at it closely..
From my perspective at least..
Why do I create?
Because I have no one to talk to
About things that are too big to even begin to explain in words.
From a very early age
Very early
Before I was even able to talk
I was exposed to so many things
Observing..
Things that seem like secrets to be taken to one’s grave..
It’s too much to hold on to
Especially when it’s hard to explain or express these things
And that’s what creates the drive
The motivation
To have the discipline to learn or develop a system to use as a medium of expression
To be able to say as much as I can using the least time and effort possible
And I choose the mediums of expression through a very elaborate thought process in the back of my head, calculating infinite possibilities and their probable outcomes.
So.. where exactly does ego come into play here?
It doesn’t actually..
But.. maybe the receiver’s ego does, and it paradoxically throws me further into my isolation, making me create more art.
Let me explain..
So let’s say I pour my heart out into something
And show it to the people around me
In an attempt to connect and communicate something they might have never experienced in their lives
Bringing something new into existence
Bridging gaps in knowledge
An attempt to help the receiver find missing pieces of the puzzle
But instead of it being received that way
As a communication
And a way to get closer to the truth
It gets received as an attempt to “show off”
So the message doesn’t get received but instead gets pushed away because their ego sees it as a threat.
Triggering jealousy and predatory behavior driven by insecurities.
My message is once again pushed away
Paradoxically making me create more art, that I still cannot find people to share it with and communicate my message to.
So.. is art an extension of the ego?
No.. it doesn’t “come from ego”
But because ego exists and drives people apart
The unfulfillable need for sincere communication exists
And that’s where real art comes from.