Juan Luna's tampuhan

para tayong Juan Luna

There is an entirely different aesthetic value that can be experienced when involved in the process of creating art. One can merely gaze at a work of art, be disinterested and whatnot, and usurp an aesthetic value that is no-nonsense, critical, and strictly objective. But when one is involved in the creative process, there is no need or even possibility of distancing oneself from the work in order to appreciate it. What is lacking in aesthetic judgment from a mere spectator of the work is the passion one invests during a creative process. It can be said that the aesthetic value of a work is heightened when one has already had the chance of creating it. Of course, there is greater aesthetic experience offered by the creative process. But aside from the passion invested in a creative process, there is also the exhaustion of the full faculties of being. The creative process, being frequently involved in it, in my opinion is the synthesis if the mind and the soul in creating that which is beyond materialistic. First, a creative process demands an idea, and not just a banal idea but a lofty idea that is expressible only through art which is above all materialistic forms of expression. As it is said, all can be expressed through art. Next, one needs to critically examine how this idea can be effectively conveyed through art. When this is finalized, it is only then that one starts with the actual work of art and the labor of giving birth to a masterpiece. I say giving birth because it is from the self and will always be part of the self even when it is out in the world, like a child brought forth through rigorous labor. And when this masterpiece/child has been brought forth to the world, no one can deny the high sense of accomplishment one is being allowed to experience via the creative process. The aesthetic experience and aesthetic value of a work of art when in the context of the creative process, is beyond the physicality of the work. It is not the end product that is being subject to aesthetic judgment, but the process in itself regardless of the product. Depending on the amount of investment one gives in the process can the entire creative experience be judged. We may find temporary happiness in the worldly aspects of life, like money and a useful degree, but only art and the creative process will give us satisfaction that is beyond the materialistic things of being.