As Max Mayfield of Stranger Things says; “Music has a way of finding you even in the darkest of places.” This quote could be converted to use for any form of artistry and media. Not only can it make the happiest moments in life feel brighter, it can also bring you out of the depths of depression or struggle. Art has a way of unexplainably attaching itself to you, consuming your thoughts, feelings and mind, and so, we feel connected to it.
As I finished the last episode of Stranger Things earlier this year, and said goodbye to the characters, I was surprised at the heartache it caused. Even with an unfavourable, less dramatic and spectacular ending than hoped for, my face was still painted in stripes from tears. It wasn’t necessarily just leaving the exciting story behind, it was the characters, actors and emotion that had attached itself to me over the 5 years since I first watched it. It was parting with that which was difficult – much more so than I had expected.
When we find a piece of art that we adore, a bond-like connection to not only the art, but the artist is built. It is a special form of love, a form that heals and breaks us at the same time. But why do we feel this attachment?
Parasocial relationships and our are becoming more and more prevalent and sometimes they impact us more than we like to believe. An artist taking a longer break from their music, the end of a beloved book or television series. It can hurt us in unexplainable ways. We question the artist’s disappearance, and look for any clue for a possible return, as with for example Harry Styles.
What makes a great artist is not only their ability to be professional and creatively excellent. It is the emotional intelligence and connection to the viewer which determines how well the art is reciprocated and felt by the audience. When we feel like the artist in some way knows us, has seen us and understands us, the art speaks to us in a way that impacts us, changes us.
Art is there to make us feel, and from feelings, learn. The book, or “unfinished theory” What Art Does by Brian Eno and Bette A,. explores this idea, concluding that anything other than what is simply necessary can be art if one chooses to see it that way. What was particularly interesting was the way they answered the question of why we enjoy, and need art. The principle was that art is a way of experimenting with the real world – safely. Movies about love and relationships tell us what we want from a partner or friend or family member. Fantasy books explore settings that don’t exist in real life, and can be a way to display what we wish was a reality in a utopian society, or be metaphors for societal fears, alerting us of what we deeply dread. We, as the audience, are able to figure out our personal views and opinions because the art makes us feel emotions that teach us where we stand.
Some might argue that art is created by the artist with an intention and the goal of the viewer should be to interpret it correctly. However the beauty of art is that there are no rules. Interpretation can be different from the intent of the artist. It is fleeting, from person to person and even one time to another the art speaks to people differently. We take what we need and leave the rest for someone else.
This might be the reason why we feel so emotionally drawn to the art that impacts us – we need it. To understand ourselves, and feel understood. We are attracted to works of art that we can be sure make us feel something, and we bounce back to that feeling whenever there is something making us want it. It is reliable. Thereby we feel robbed of something safe when the artist decides to take a break, or stop writing. And while those with empathy within them still deeply respect the artist’s choice – because of course they should take breaks when they need – a part of us is hurt, because what do we do now? Without the sacred melodies or novels we relied on?
Ultimately we move on and find something else to attach ourselves to. But isn’t it fascinating, how notes or words or shots bound together to form artworks that we continuously run back to because they save us, and teach us things. Isn’t it wonderful, how we can personally connect to something that is made with good intentions by someone across the globe? It is certainly beautiful; and something our world seems to not need less of today.
