Discipline Delving | Artists Ought to Immerse Themselves in a Variety of Areas

Art and artists are truly amazing. The fact that we are able to ponder so deeply, creating works that leave people pensive, in admiration, reflection, or so deeply immersed in any emotion is a beautiful gift that we cannot, and should not, take for granted. Truth be told, the immersion into one sole discipline that we can, and do, grow so accustomed to, is a passionate pit that is difficult to get out of. Let it be known that we don’t need to, at that. However, taking the time to lift our heads from the sand and admire the other creative disciplines outside of our own can only help us in the long run.

In the summer of 2023 alone, I stepped out of my ballet bubble and fell deeply in love adoration with theatre arts. Truth be told, the way that actors are able to convey a story with the inclusion of additional senses and facets that we dancers do not get to use is a feat that invites inspiration. Admittedly, the amount of time that I have spent observing the extent of facial and bodily projection that some of the greatest actors have utilized is far more than I could ever admit. Nonetheless, the beautiful transition post-curtain call from character to a human being is a matter of night and day that deserves so much more applause than a standing ovation could give. How one actor can be the complete and utter opposite of the character that we have come to love, hate, or be inexplicably drawn to is a testament to the greatness of theatre itself.

The interconnectivity of the human mind to music is one to marvel at. No matter what one follows, there is no denying that the human experience is enhanced by music, on paper, in one's ear, no matter the case. Perhaps there is bias within, given my personal nearness to musicians, yet one cannot help but know what, sonically, aligns with their own mind. What stories are played or sung in such a level of spiritual alliance, what events or stories play out in the mind due to a multitude of musical facets, or a vision that comes to the forefront upon hearing a song. Personally, a high amount of accreditation and admiration is due from dance to music, for the pair are divine. We dancers choreograph and improvise beautiful pieces as derived from beautiful pieces of yet another discipline. Music provides a pathway that allows ease of moving through life, figuratively and literally.

Being able to immerse yourself into an installation, seeing works on canvas, through clay, and countless other mediums is an enriching experience. You never know what a singular idea visualized onto some medium can bring. Experiencing stories through colors has been such an immersion, so much so that visual art can be the first thing to come to mind when hearing a song, walking through life, or reacting to news. Truthfully, there’s a way to interpret life, and art is the best that there is. I wholeheartedly feel that learning to create, no matter what that looks like, is pivotal in shifting our societies for the better.

Slow down and look at the accumulated words on this page. You’re able to develop a comprehension and understanding of what I’m saying. I’m not physically before you, speaking. Written word is a true safe space. You can go on and on with your thoughts and stories here, without needing to worry if one is listening. From writer to reader, someone is paying attention, eager to learn and receive. Writers are free to think and express, and no matter if or when someone happens to read, the act of releasing inner thoughts and imaginations is quite incomparable. 

Creativity is quite a saving grace, and the willingness for an artist of one discipline to seek to appreciate the others can only enhance the appreciation and performance of what they do themselves. While it is not obligatory to know the ins and outs of how to read music if you’re a dancer, or how to act if you’re an author, or how to sing if you’re a painter, the act of  appreciating the level of effort that each places into making a discipline such a beautiful thing can uplift us all.