This week’s Dope Art is going to be short and sweet, with a personal message about the importance of art, as a tool for therapy, or even just finding calmness. Recently, I have been greatly turned off by the crypto-bro behavior that has slowly become more prominent in the digital art world. That part of the culture catching up with the money hungry dipshits that run most modern galleries in the traditional art world. However, simultaneously, I have been really motivated and inspired by what actual artists have been doing during periods like this: making really good art.
The artist I am focused on this week is the incredibly talented Anish Kapoor. A British-Indian sculptor whose work is known for its mesmerizing beauty and therapeutic qualities, his large-scale, reflective sculptures have a transformative power that creates a sense of introspection and contemplation in those who experience them. His work often plays with perception and illusion, intended to encourage viewers to move around his sculptures and see the world reflected in new and unexpected ways. Sometimes literally, sometimes purely metaphorically.
Kapoor's work has been a source of inspiration for so many artists, particularly those working in the fields of installation and sculpture (hello!). His use of simple, geometric forms and reflective surfaces has become a hallmark of his style, influencing a new generation of artists who seek to create immersive, meditative spaces that encourage reflection and introspection. Kapoor's work has also inspired artists to explore the therapeutic potential of art, since many have presented his installations in therapeutic contexts to help folks process difficult emotions and experiences.
In taking a closer look at who Kapoor is, and the breadth and depth of his work, you will find that he has had a profound impact on the contemporary art world. Being able to keep folks’ minds busy enough with wonder and amazement to forget their daily woes, is not an easy feat. Abstraction is so powerful when used in art like this. This is why I am so keen on physical art installation; nothing really boosts one’s ability to process things internally like in-person multi-dimensional art. Especially when it observes the beauty of geometry.
As we enter a more financially and politically turbulent time as a society, I think we should not forget about the importance of introspection and contemplation. It’s not just that artists like Kapoor continue to inspire new generations of artists, it’s also that they remind us to stop, and consider things internally in the moment. In this specific case, it is with polished aesthetics and massive scale, that just observing art can encourage us to take a break from the rat race.
So yeah, take a break, and think about what you are doing. How does art make you feel? What does it inspire you to do? When’s the last time you felt truly calm, just by looking at a piece of art?
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