Why Artists Should Take Silliness Seriously! Silliness is often viewed negatively. What if, however, silly is a vital instrument for artistic depth, inventiveness, and creativity? The rise of digital art has given new life to the many-headed monster, which has been continually challenged by groups such as Dada, Fluxus, OULIPO, and Pop Art. This new shape functions within a certain language of innovation and has profound roots in both engineering and avant-garde traditions. Repetition is the foundation of algorithmic machinery and is used in all forms of digital art. We have looked at examples like computer games and interactive fiction in earlier chapters, but the scope is far broader and includes robotic art, digital poetry, data visualisations, sound art, and net art.
The Adaptive Role of Silliness in Artistic Creativity
The energy boost that comes from facing the emptiness—the time of being separated from that nurturing, creative muse—is what makes a fun sort of grandiosity adaptive in artistic production. An artist's unbridled faith in their own skills and their remarkable ability to overcome creative obstacles are manifestations of this adaptive folly. Whether they are completely conscious of it or not, artists feel unstoppable while this effervescent spirit is at work; their motivation is unabated by frustration or a blank canvas. By cheerfully disarming the paralysing effects of separation, rather than by denying its actuality, they avoid the sadness that comes with creative constraints. In order for this fun grandiosity to be genuinely adaptive, it needs to be combined with a healthy dose of imaginative play and sound reality testing, enabling the artist to face the emptiness with a cheeky smile instead of giving up.
From Stifled Spirits to Playful Minds
An acquired illness, embarrassment first appears in early adolescence. It may have ossified your entire spirit by the time you reach maturity. Having children has the benefit of allowing you to be goofy for the first time, possibly in a very long time. That's what I advocate. Over the past few years, some artists have spent a lot of time attempting to make settings that let the adults in children's lives be more silly by scribbling, drawing, and showcasing the joy of the creative process.
Rekindling the True Spirit of Art
Similar to Friedrich Froebel's distinction between "occupations" and free expression, it seems sense to separate work from art as two different pursuits. A youngster may profit from working towards a planned goal or adhering to rigid instructions, but these activities are not art; rather, they are work that is imposed from the outside with an objective that is distinct from the creative process. Unquestionably, work is necessary for survival, and young people must take part in group projects and schoolwork. However, when youngsters are made to labour too early, their creative energy is suppressed. As they get older, they will naturally want to make a significant contribution, just like the adults they look up to.
It takes more than just handling a toy to inspire art. Instead of enjoying the unrestricted process of art, children are working when they are instructed to build a particular block structure or duplicate a model. Even though they could find the experience enjoyable and instructive, it is not considered to be a true work of art.
Embracing the Art of Spontaneity
Many adults nevertheless approach life with a sense of fun creativity, particularly those who are artists and scientists. The finished product has significance for the experienced artist even after the creative process is over. For kids, however, the real worth lies in the process of creating art. The process itself, whether it's a block structure or a drawing, grabs their attention as long as they're fully engaged in the act of creating. Since the essence of art is in the process rather than the final product, the finished work frequently becomes less noticeable. That instantaneous realisation, however, enhances the experience even further when a child's creation matches their initial aim.
Some might contend that there is a distinct difference between the impromptu, freeform creative expressions of youth and the intentional, frequently demanding training needed for professional art-making. Children create art free from the demands of perfection because of their immature motor abilities and limited capacity for planning. However, the true artist, who, like the child, loses track of time when engrossed in creating, is drawn to this very unrestrained approach. Both are freed from the restrictions of space and time; in the field of art, a new temporal framework is created, one characterised by limitless creativity and the delight of expression.
TikTok as a Silly Ground for Expression
TikTok is a platform that facilitates performance, enabling users to sing, dance, and play music both solo and in groups. For anyone who enjoy performing, whether it's dressing up, acting goofy, or singing at family get-togethers, this is the perfect place. Clowns, brags, and wannabe divas are all welcomed in the nicest way imaginable, bringing back the joy of play, sharing, and performance—even for grownups. These dynamics are explained by Bondy Kaye's theory of distributed creativity, in which teams of people work together to generate original works of art under various restrictions. But why is it so fun to imitate on TikTok? The platform serves as a virtual playground, satisfying one of the most basic human needs: the urge to have fun.
Conclusion
By embracing silliness in art, one can access a realm of limitless creativity and freedom, reorienting the emphasis from final products to the enjoyment of the creative process. The power of silliness aids in breaking free from traditional limits, as seen by the joyful experimentation found on platforms such as TikTok and the adaptive grandiosity that drives an artist’s perseverance. Children’s and artists’ most genuine expressions come from play, spontaneity, and a strong bond with the creative process. We can restore the genuine essence of art, which is characterised by the unbridled delight and creativity it evokes rather than by its final output, by reviving this sense of play.
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