Art is a fun thing. And like any fun thing, it’s more fun when enjoyed with more people. I have been accustomed to visiting museums, reading books, looking at architecture, listening to music, considering ideas, and watching performances alone, alone, alone. While many of those experiences are dear to me, I must say that the few times that I have truly experienced art with someone else, in sync, simultaneously, have been most rewarding.
The point is that, sure, I’ve been to art museums with people before. I’ve watched movies with others many times. But just because our eyes were cast the same direction did not mean that we were seeing the same thing. There have been a few occasions, however, when it felt like we were. We were being stretched in similar ways, challenged together. That is a unique and powerful experience.
Our class visit to the BYU Museum of Art to see the Types and Shadows: Intimations of Divinity exhibit was truly a group experience. Through the comments made by others, I felt that we were enjoying the art together.
The experience with one particular painting sticks out. The piece with the chairs, one standing and one fallen elicited thoughts and feelings within me that I knew others were experiencing as well. As we talked about the journey of life, about sin and redemption, about the process of repentance, and about the majesty of God, I could tell that others were deeply contemplating these issues.
As the scriptures teach, “all have sinned,” and for those of us who desire to be guilt free and clean, repentance is a very important part of our lives. As we viewed that painting, I felt supported in my quest for growth toward perfection by the idea that others too were taking steps in their minds, motivated by that beautiful painting.
As people, we are social beings. We want to belong and be a part of something greater than ourselves. Our trip to the MOA really showed me how art can be a powerful tool in uniting people across so many different barriers. Art is a social entity, not meant to be enjoyed in a vacuum. This in and of itself is a type of Divinity.
We can experience God on our own. This is a valuable experience. But I believe that the heart of religion is the interpersonal relationships that it helps to create and to perfect. Through such relationships, we become perfected.
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