Eat, sleep and Art: The generative aspect of humanity

It’s well understood that humans must breathe air, eat food and sleep in order to exist.

I posit that there’s a fourth essential element - and its’s generative Making of art. Creating something from nothing. Or transformation.

We are creatures that define ourselves through expression in the physical world. We clothe ourselves and use accessories, language and participation in certain activities to mark who we are and how we fit into the social fabric. Then we go about fashioning our homes and offices into spaces that reflect our way of being in the world. Once we have done these things - we seek to make, to be generative beings.

For some of us this takes form in artistic pursuits - music, sculpting, photography, scrapbooking, dance. For others it takes the form of service or hosting people, caring for others by creating space for them to exist. It can be found in workplaces - solving complex problems by inventing new processes, tools and products. My point is - whatever form it takes - humans are inherently generative beings, and must be in order to have a sense of balance wellbeing.

When we are small children our parents and teachers encourage us to draw, sing, dance, put stickers on things, make up stories and to share our mini-generative creations with the world. Our art is celebrated, our musings appreciated. And then somewhere something happens and we feel embarrassed to share the things we generate that are artistic. Maybe capitalism pushes us towards more “productive” activities? Whatever that means. Maybe we learn how to compare ourselves and deem our work less skilled and less worthy of public existence? And yet - picking up some coloured crayons and doodling on the pages of an old sketch book can help you regulate your nervous system, express locked emotions, cultivate a sense of embodiment, and is also a heap of fun! Maybe it’s time to dig out that old 72 set of Derwent pencils and find a colouring book this weekend?

Isn’t it sad that we stop singing out-loud with friends, and find ourselves at-best singing privately in the shower or at worst- claiming to not be able to sing, and thus throttling our own voices completely from song? There’s a plethora of research that shows singing together (no matter the genre of music or size of the group) does magical things for our wellbeing. It lower cortisol. Improves cognitive function and memory. Builds a sense of community and connection. Improves lung function and posture. And improves mood, and even reduces depression. All that power from a simple sharing of art, creativity and expression. Maybe we are made to generate music together.

What about gardening? It’s an exceedingly popular activity. And ranges from low-key plant appreciator to full-blown landscaping vegetation connoisseur. Why do people love it so much? Must be something to do with all the benefits of gardening. Like relaxation, nature connection, fitness, brain stimulation, physical wellbeing. Must be something about all that fresh air and creating life, spending time generating a beautiful natural environment. Maybe it’s time to get that herb planter box on the windowsill filled with some new basil?

For those of us more introverted folks writing can be incredibly therapeutic. Self-expression through words, witnessing of the inner spirit through journalling, generating stories both fact and fiction help us understand who we are as individuals and as a collective human species. Written words carry magic, hope, power, persuasion, new perspectives. Since writing has existed it has allowed humans to generate pipelines of communication that span beyond one lifetime. We can record and share our stories throughout the ages. And let’s not forget the power of the spoken word, oral histories, and poetry. And what about identity and how it is so intrinsically tied to language. Words are a way to generate links between our inner and outer worlds. Maybe it’s time to pick up that old notebook and grab a biro - see what comes out?

In the autumn of 2024 I realised that I had forgotten and even abandoned my generative self. I had been pulled in other directions and had let art become deprioritised. I made a pact with myself in that moment to make art for art’s sake. Not for anyone else, just for me. Because I am a generative human being, like we all are. I began the steps towards making the underwater art film piece that I had been dreaming of for the prior three years. And now that film exists in the world, and it brings joy, wonder and pleasure to it’s audience. And to me, the artist.

To make things is as essential as breathing, eating, and sleeping. We are all made to make. And we are all made to make in our unique and inimitable style.

In the words of Aime McNee - The World Needs Your Art.

So get to it and sing, dance, scribble, bake, sew, spreadsheet, swim, or whatever you need to do to find your generative artistic self. For to be generative is to be human.