I think of Art as the expression of the intangible - in all its forms. Not a "lifestyle choice" or something of no value other than to entertain the wealthy - but a very definite 'soft skill' to communicate with your audience, with your partners, with your team - or with the world at large.
As the vocabulary of the soul, the arts are as indispensable as understanding numbers or being able to speak. Learning how to read and write, and how to count, are on par with learning how to express ourselves. Through writing, spoken word, images, sounds or architecture or any way we choose - the arts are essential.
Without Arts we have no expression. And yet, I'm seeing an increased disregard for anything that doesn't seem to translate directly into profits. I'm seeing the disappearance of artistry from the world of business, where Art Direction and creative thought (and strategy) are being abandoned as frivolous, and design and UX become more about squeezing a few extra clicks than about engaging with an audience in a meaningful way.
When the appreciation for clear communication is gone, what will there be left? Numbers can be interpreted in many ways, and your audience or buyers are human after all - and they will respond to emotional communications much more than black-and-white facts, as we are seeing in a post-truth era.
Rethink the role of emotional and meaningful expression in your business or initiative - and you'll benefit greatly from it.
On the image: Patti Smith receiving the Nobel Prize in lieu of Bob Dylan.
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