What is it about art?

Why do we do art? What is art? What is its point?

Whatever it is, it is not about expression. Art is about introspection. Do not, though, confuse introspection here with Aristotle's catharsis; catharsis is not really about expressing yourself in the art you see, but about understanding what you feel when you see it - not necessarily of understanding why: we do not need to understand why we are here in order to understand what we do and what happens. In catharsis, we do not express our feelings so much as understand what they are, by seeing it from a dislocated point of view.

Those who need art to express themselves and what they feel do it because they do not understand those feelings and do not understand themselves. It is entirely natural, of course, and it happens to all of us, especially those who do not express in art at all, but through uncontrolled acts. However, that is not what art is about. This makes it merely a tool for certain people.

The ultimate goal of art is, like catharsis, understanding. Art is only useful individually as a method of expression, but it is used collectively as a means of introspection. In order to understand not the world around us, but the mysteries that cannot possibly be answered by observation and calculation. Art is an attempt to understand consciousness, to understand life, and consequently, death. It is, at worst, a means for us to cope with the meaninglessness of it all. But I would rather use this meaninglessness, cope with it, than live constantly staring at the blank.

Are we not all just trying to cope with our existence? Religion is not the answer here, inasmuch as it is defined arbitrarily. It is not open to whatever might be revealed - think of the dilemma for the religious if we should find proof of other intelligent life. That is not to say it would kill religion, but art is not impacted by this kind of violent collision. In fact, it thrives in it.

Philosophy is not the way either. Philosophy, defined here as thinking of what lies beyond physical life, beyond consciousness, cannot possibly be useful yet. How can we understand the purpose of the universe, if there is one at all, if we do not understand it? How are we supposed to understand why we die when we do not even know what death really is? Philosophy will come into play once we figure out, through art, through looking at ourselves and understanding how we work - not just mechanically, but as self-aware beings, as living and dying creatures.

Art is done because, in doing it, we find out what it is, and thus understand ourselves and each other.