Being of Service:

Before sitting on my couch to write this post, I stopped at Krispy Kreme on my way home, because the "HOT" sign was on. As I approached the second window at the drive through, a woman greeted me warmly, and I wondered, "is there art in serving doughnuts?" And I immediately answered, "yes, yes there is!" This woman took my order, tendered my payment and gave me my doughnuts. Because of her, I have had a sensory experience. I heard the cheerful cadence of her voice. I observed the vibrant red of her company shirt and hat. I smelled the sugary aroma of the doughnuts as she handed them to me. This was an interdisciplinary presentation.

I then wonder, as an artist, how have I been of service? Have I affected anyone the way that those in obvious positions of service have? I have been told on more than one occasion that art making is both indulgent and selfish. And often, I have both hoped that I am not a selfish person and wondered how true that sentiment actually is....

If I teach a dance class to a group of young women, and one young woman tells me that my class is helping her to change her body and her feelings toward her body, is it possible that I am being of service? If I show a student in yoga how to release her shoulders so that her day at the computer feels a little better, have I been helpful to her? If I make a dance piece that communicates the stories of real people to other real people, demonstrating that we are not so different from each other, or make a film that might help those dealing with loss to do so constructively, have I been of service?

I think there exists both kinds of art: the kind that is indulgent and only meant for the enjoyment of the maker, and the kind that is inherently service oriented, as it is meant for the enjoyment of others. When one presents art for the enjoyment of others, one has been of service. Even if that piece of art does nothing else but provide enjoyment or provocation of thought. I think one of the things that makes creating art enjoyable for me, is the thought that it may in some way, help another human being. I have many times taken interest in community service activities, but I find that art is the place where I feel I can do the most good. I know many artists that would agree. And though I continue to be active in my community in other ways than making and sharing art, I always find the act of creating to be the most fulfilling. And on occasion, people even say thank you!

Now an aside, I have just been mesmerized by Marai Nagasu in the woman's olympic figure skating short program! Beautiful carriage of the upper torso, dizzying spins and long, sustained lines with clear directions...

Have you made any art today?

~Cara