What Does Art Tell Us? — Be Well Nova

By Yaoyao Shi

Just like music, art is another expression of our emotions, thoughts, and perspectives. When I was very little and learning how to paint, my art teacher always asked me the questions, “What are you trying to convey through your work? What does your audience think about it?” I think what is truly amazing about art is that it is always open to different interpretations. When different people look at the same piece of art, they get different feelings from it, and there is no right or wrong. Moreover, the same person can have different understandings of the same art piece at different times.

Henri Matisse is one of my favorite artists. As one of the Fauves, his works have intense and bold colors. When I look at his works at different times, I have different feelings. I saw “La Danse” the first time when I was at MoMA in New York City five years ago. It was a rough week, and on this rainy day, I did not have an umbrella and got soaked. I was a bit annoyed, thinking that I had such bad luck. I rushed into MoMA and when I saw “La Danse,” I stopped. It depicts five nudes holding hands, whirling, and dancing, mixed with the blue sky and green ground. Just as Matisse said, “The colors sing together.” In front of the huge masterpiece, I wondered if my life could be this simple. Could I just enjoy being alive just like the painting? Life is not perfect, but I do not need to complain or drain myself in negativity. I could adapt and enjoy the simplicity and joy of life like one of the dancers.

Time has passed, and I came across “La Danse” online recently. This time, I felt differently. I saw five people holding hands and dancing, and I saw unity and harmony. This is what I want the world to be like. In a polarized world, I see more attacks and division than mutual understanding, cooperation, and problem-solving. If we can all shift a little focus away from ourselves and care more about the people and the communities around us, the world could be different. I want us to be the dancers celebrating unity.

Matisse also loved painting open windows. He had painted an open window in Collioure two times, in 1905 and 1914. Matisse invited us to look at what he saw, and he conveyed his emotions through these open windows. For the 1905 one, I see the harbor, sailboats, beautiful sea and sky. Everything looks so calm and peaceful to me. I could feel the state of harmony. However, in 1914 after the start of World War I, Matisse’s open window reflected darkness and a depressing mood. Things were constantly changing at the same place over a span of ten years. I could feel the changes in Matisse’s emotions through his paintings, and I could really relate to that. Life is like a cycle, and there are always ups and downs. As we go through different stages, we experience different feelings and thoughts. Life cannot always be perfect, but what is important is that we see the meaning in the little moments of our lives. When we reflect upon those moments in the future, we could learn from them as we move forward. At the same time, we should have faith and hope in darker times, believing that we will reach the lives we want, like the beautiful open window in 1905.