As we discussed, Oscar Wilde suggested that "nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul.” Our senses then serve a dual purpose; as the receptors of experiences and as the creators of experiences. Often the arts provide this duality. Creators of art often speak of tapping into the soul when creating art, and when art appeals to observers it is often because it speaks to their soul.Discussion Question:
Is all artistic expression an expression of the artist's soul?
Now, look at Edward Hopper's Night Windows. What statement about humanity do you believe is being expressed?
Finally, listen to The Weakerthans Night Windows which is inspired by Hopper's piece. Again, what statement about humanity do you believe is being expressed? What does it say about the human condition?
48 comments:
I believe all artistic expression is an expression of the artist’s soul because art is derived from internal forces. Even when an artwork has been commissioned, the artist’s style is reflected in it, portraying the feelings and ideas of the artist.
In Edward Hopper’s Night Windows, I believe the artist is trying to portray humanity’s loneliness. It depicts a lone woman, who is tending a fire in a room full of light, shining alone in the darkness.
The music only worsens the depressing mood of the painting. It talks of a man who lost someone and is envisioning her back with him. This explains that the human condition is lonely, yet hopeful.
Artistic expression does indeed reflect the artist’s soul, for the emotions and attitudes of an artist toward the subject they are portraying are conveyed in the particular, unique manner in which they compose their masterpiece. For instance, one artist’s perception of and thoughts about the nature and meaning of a sunset may differ from another’s. Therefore, the uniqueness of their respective souls—the compositions of their different experiences and views of certain things—with shine through their artistic renderings. Additionally, artistic expression through imagination rather than experience also evidences the uniqueness of the differing souls found among humankind in each artist’s respective beliefs about what something could or should be or feel like.
I believe that Hopper’s Night Windows expresses the curiosity inherent in humans. In terms of the perspective of the painting—that of an observer outside of the apartment’s window—expresses the human desire to know what is happening. That is to say, when presented with a scene that they are able to observe unbeknownst to others, humans tend to view the scene rather than turning away for purposes of privacy or otherwise, due to their wish to know more about the scene—who is this individual? What are they doing? Why are they doing what they do?
The song Night Windows reflects the human tendency to look back upon an experience and reevaluate it, often experiencing regret and wishes to go back in time to do things differently. It also expresses the human state of desiring something that is just out of reach. Despite the fact that what we want is unattainable, we continue to yearn for it. As Rites of Spring would say, we sometimes chase when all that we want is near. According to Weakerthans, humans are flawed—though we may have good intentions, we tend to mire ourselves in the past, berating ourselves for not acting differently in certain situations.
Some of the artistic expression is an expression of the artist’s soul. But in an artist’s work there is the emotion that the artist is feeling and that is expressed in the work. I do not think emotions are part of the soul because they can change instantaneously and the soul does not change quickly, it is built upon experiences and how one reacted to them. In picture Night Windows there is a lone women who has to choose between the fires of evil and the freedom of the window. Humanity has the freedom of choice between good and bad. In the song Night Windows it is saying how humanity has a tendency to be hopeful but then once they realize that the hope is gone they become depressed and sad. The human condition is very fragile.
I do not believe that all artistic is from the soul of the artist. I feel that almost all art is motivated by what the artists current feelings are on the world and many other things. In Edward Hoppers ZNight Widows I beleve that he is trying to tell of his lonleyness as well all the other people in the world who are lonely. I also feel that he is trying to convey the message that there are so many people who are loneley. I feel that the music only makes the painting dampen your mood even more because it reaffirms your feeling of this sad mood.
I think that all artistic expressions are an expression of the artist's soul. Many artists draw/paint based on how they feel, which therefore relates to the soul because a lot of our deep feelings are rooted through it. In Hopper's Night Windows, I believe the picture is screaming about the darkness and loneliness life may seem. It's in a setting with a house that is very isolated. The Weaberthan's Night Window's also speaks about loneliness and how we sometimes take advantage of what we have, that when we start to miss that certain person/thing, we become lost. It mentions that although these things can become lost, it is our duty to think positive and to hope for the best.
I think that some artistic works express the artist soul but mostly they express a feeling at a sertain time or are trying to express a certain feeling. I think that most of the time the work is expressing how the artist feels at the time they are creating the work.
I think that Edward Hopper is trying to portray human loneliness. All the windows in the building are lit up with nothing really inside. This could be that possibly they are trying to open up to the world or a certain person but are not totaly succeding in doing so. They want to be loved and accepted but might not be doing it in the right way.
I think that this song is only expressing how the singer feels about one that they love. I think in a way the main person in the song is singing it to express how they feel towards someone who is very important to them.
I think that artistic expression is an expression of a artist's soul, but it can be altered based on experiences or emotions the artist is feeling at the current moment. The picture is showing how humans can be lonely because in the picture it shows a woman tending a fire, in a room by herself. The music proves that this picture is depicting.
I dont think it is a expression of the soul, but what the artist feels at that particular moment. Most great artist go through phases, the soul does not. I think it is more an expression of emotion and passion. I dont think one painting on matter how great shows a mirror to a persons soul.
I do think that artistic expression does express the artists soul. Every art work that, that artist has created has come from somewhere inside of him. It might be from an experience or what he/she feels about a certain idea. Usually if the artist is a life he doesn't like his art works will be filled with darkness. I believe that in Edward Hoppers Night Windows the artist is trying to show that humans live very lonely lives. All throughout the picture there is a dark feeling with a of a little hope. This is from the bright lighting the woman is in. The song Night Windows also relates humans to be lonely but hopefull. juswt like the picture relates it. In the song the song writer talks about a man who is going through a harsh relationship. Even though he is now lonely he still is trying to see her back with him. The message is that we have to have hope in good and bad situations
You can find out a lot about an artist by viewing their art work. It is a window into their soul. Edward Hopper's Night Windows expresse the statement I previously made. Art is a window into the soul. I found a connection to the fact it was called night windows. I find al those deep conversations always seen to occur at night. Thats when we are most free to dive deep into our soul.The Weakerthans- Night Windows is about a man who is looking at his love one. When he looks into her soul she is not the person she once was. Things can never go back to the way things were. Humans change and with change people can grow appart.When we look into each others eyes,a.k.a. souls, we know where their life is heading. Sometimes this causes us to grow appart.
i would consider all artistic expresion to be an expresion of the artist's soul because it demostrates either feelings, experiences, feelings, desires, and perception, either through songs or paintings. In the painting by Edward Hopper's Night Windows, portrays a lonely women in her apartment while the light illuminates outside of the window which could also correlte to the song in which the guy awaits to reunite with the person he has lost. Ultimately, the artistic expresion basically depicts the artist's soul through his emotions and reasons, which in this situation both artist's depict a sense of the the human value and life that can be dark and gloomy, yet bright and colorful which portrys the value of hope in the soul.
1. I believe that one way or another, art is always ah expression of one's soul. Sometimes art directly expresses one's current emotions, but that in many ways reflects certain aspects of one's soul.
2. I believe an expression of loneliness is being expressed. The lady in this picture is so close to the rest of the world yet so far away.
3. I believe the song expresses a feeling of somberness and sobriety. It has a vibe of loneliness similar to the picture. It exposes the not so great side of humanity, reminding us that although we can be good, we can all profoundly hurt one another, sometimes without even realizing it.
Michael M.
All artistic expressions can come from an artist's soul because it has to do with the five senses everyone have. The artist expression is coming from the person soul and is led out through senses. You can tell a lot about an artist from his work because his or her work is coming from their soul and is expressed. The song is meant to talk about how many humans can easily become in a sad state of mind and can be corrected through reflecting upon it.
All artistic expressions can come from an artist's soul because it has to do with the five senses everyone have. The artist expression is coming from the person soul and is led out through senses. You can tell a lot about an artist from his work because his or her work is coming from their soul and is expressed. The song is meant to talk about how many humans can easily become in a sad state of mind and can be corrected through reflecting upon it.
I don't think artistic expression is an expression of the artist' soul. I think most artwork is a place where the artist can "vent." The artwork that results is the accumulation of the emotions that the artist feels at that moment. I think Edward Hooper's painting reflects humanity's curiosity and constant urge to know all the answers. The painting appears to be from the perspective of someone looking into the woman's apartment simply curious about what other humans are doing. People seem to feel more comfortable when they are aware what others are doing, and even more so if others actions are similar to theirs. If people seem to be doing different things than you, one may seem lonely. The song is about a guy who lost his girl and is thinking about how he wishes he could be back with her. This shows that humanity, as a whole, is much better off when relationships are strong may it be between friends, siblings, or siblings. When these relationships are broken humanity is cold and alone.
I believe that artistic expression can be an expression of an artists soul. The artist is expressing his innermost fellings and emotions through his art. On the other hand, not all art is an expression of the artists soul. Some art can be just the emotions of the artist at that certain time in his life. If an artist paints a dark, sad painting then it does not mean that the artist's soul is dark and sad. In Edward Hopper's Night Windows, I think that the artist is trying to portrayt the lonliness of life and the emptiness of the world through the dark tones and the lone person in the window. In the song Night windows, it expalins that the human condition is lonely.
I don't feel that all artistic expression is an expression of the artist's soul. I think some art exibits how the artist views the world at that moment. The viewpoint incorporates emotions that are ephermal and therefore are not part of the soul.
In Edward Hopper's Night Windows, I believe a sense of loneliness and isolation is conveyed. The woman is alone in her apartment, and the apartment is the sole object in the painting emmitting light in the desolate painting.
The song Night Windows further enforces the feeling of loneliness, longing for how things used to be. Because things cannot be the same as they were previouslt, the character is left with a feeling of emptiness. The song emphasizes that humans are flawed. We make mistakes and regret them upon learning the consequences.
I believe that artistic expression comes from the artist's soul. When an artist is creating a work, the mood that they are in and the emotions that they are feeling are reflected in it. In Night Windows, I believe that Edward Hopper is trying to show loneliness of the human person and how there are many lonely people around the world. In the music it talks about looking into the past. I think that it talks about how he has lost a loved one. The human condition is very delicate.
Artists expressions convey what their souls desire or have negative feelings towards. I think both pieces try to show the curiosity that all humans hold. It also shows a shade of isolationism of the person taking in the view. These two things show us that the human condition is a positive one. One that is eager yet we realize that humans are evidently alone.
I believe that whatever method the artist is using, whether it be painting, music or writing, that their motivation for creating the artistic work must come from within themselves, from their soul, which stems from what they are feeling. In Edward Hopper’s Night Windows, I think that he is trying to show a small “window,” or part, of this girl’s life that leaves us curious, wanting to know more about the girl. This painting also parallels the sense of loneliness and regret in the Weakerthan’s song of Night Windows because both the man singing and the girl in the picture are alone. I think the song shows us that humanity is not always so great, but can definitely be sad or heartbreaking.
No, a lack of effort in a painting would not be an expression of the soul. Only if the artist puts forth a full effort can it be an expression of the soul. In Edward Hopper’s night windows I believe that stupidity is being expressed, it seems that they have a fire going, yet there is clearly an opened. The song is expressing the loneliness of humans. It says that part of the human condition is the longing for someone or something else that is more significant in one’s life.
I believe that the soul is what is needed to be able to create works such as the painting or song and that is also needed to comprehend what the artist is trying to convey. The soul seems to be a key to nowledge and understanding of the messages hidden within a work but the soul may lead you to your own understanding based on experiences which have formed your soul.
Artistic expression is an expressiom of the artist's soul becuase they draw or paint what they are feeling.Our soul feels what we go through, through our senses, which then allows us to express our feelings. In the painting Night Windows the artist is trying to portray human lonliness and darkness.Every human being has a period in thier life where they might feel lonly or have a dark episode in their life. The painting depicts this darkness by the dark colors that the artist uses and the lonliness by the lonely women. The song also talks about lonliness and sadness. This song brings out the message that humans do not live a perfect life but that we try hard to hope for what we desire.
I think that all artistic expression is rooted in that of the artists soul. Our soul is based off of our senses, an when an artist paints they take those memories of sight, smell, and maybe even touch and incorporate it into their artwork. Edward Hopper's, Night Windows, shows a woman all alone in her apartment who has some decisions that will alter the rest of her life. Night Windows, connects to soul not only through our sense of hearing but through our feelings. That when we have something so good in our life and it dissppears, we go into a state of lonliness and sadness just like Edward Hoppers painting. Our lives are like glass, they can break but if you don't drop it you can live in a state of happiness.
The soul is the the base for human expression. It is the defining character that pushes us to express ourselves and our struggles through variou forms of art. These pieces portray a lonely atmosphere in which the light of comfort prevails. They signify the artists renditions of personal turmoil and the steps taken to overcome them.
Any true expression I believe is an expression of one's soul, and this is not limited to just an artist. An expression is unique to an idividual, as is one's own soul. It defines the same way as art defines an artist. Nightwindow is a painting that can easily be related to anyone. Everyone is looking and percieving someone from their own perspective, and that is what makes us unique. We can only define someone by how we view them, and this is very much dependant on our perspective and relationship to them.
The song is a typical song of regret. It talks about how bad things can occur, but it is up to us to make the most of the good and remain positive. The soul helps us acomplish this, and it is the soul that we rely on.
I do believe that an artist's expression is an expression of their soul. No matter what work of art you look at the artist's personal mark still exists. Every work of art is unique because the soul of every artist is unique. For example, in Edward Hopper's Night Windows, the artist is expressing the loneliness and darkness of a woman in her apartment. I believe the artist is trying to convey a woman's struggle between accepting her loneliness or going towards the window which offers hope as well as an escape.
The song Night Windows, also sends across a similar message of extreme loneliness and desire to fullfill the human soul. Society in general, can feel extremely alone in the world but it is part of the human condition to retain a sense of hope.
I believe that artistic expression is derived from the soul. The artist usually uses feelings they are experiencing or an experience they have just been through to create there art. I believe that the soul is created through experiences. In the picture the main message is people being lonely. There is a good chance that the artist painted this from his soul cause maybe he was lonely when he painted it. The music just adds to the damp mood but it was what the artist was feeling and they had to let their soul out and express themselves.
Artistic expression is an expression that defines our inner self. It comes from experiences and emotions that have impacted our lives. I feel that artists soul's are depicted in their works of art. In the painting, the theme of loneliness is definitely portrayed throughout the painting. The woman who is standing alone who is in the room of darkness is one piece of evidence of the soul of the artist. The song expresses how humans always desire something that is just out of reach and it is yet obtainable which leaves us then alone.
I believe that art does display an aspect of the artist's soul. Like we learned in class, the soul is the psyche and houses attributes like imagination and affections (or emotions). It is evident that to create art one must utilize a form of imagiantion, Furthermore, many artist also state that their emotions are muses for their art, callinf their work a catharisis or expression of their sentiments. I think Night Windows and the song inspired by it both convey humanity's inate hope. In the painting one is immersed in a dark and lifeless world, but gazes into a single source of light which holds life in that it holds a woman and her home. The song looks at hope in a cynical way. Almost saying it is pointless and destructive, like the man's desire to see his dead loved one again. Yet,even if hope is pointlessm it is still there, and even if it is still "pointless" it gives us a reason to keep on being (like the aspect that draws us to keep on looking at Night Window's is the promise held in the light even though we understand may never know it).
I dont think that every work expresses the artist's soul. Some pieces may be still life that the artists just stares at and tries to copy idetically, there is no need for the soul and it most likely doesnt play a part. When an artist fills a canvas with a thought or image from their head, that is when their soul tries to express itself. In Night Windows I think that he is showing that humans are made up of three parts; the part we see, a good side, and an evil side. The song is like a goodbye, the person left and wasnt coming back. This shows that when people go away they are gone and there are always so many things left unsaid.
Artistic expression is an expression of the artist's soul if you define soul as the creative center of a person; his ability to think, feel and create. Hopper’s Night Windows is expressing that the human condition is an isolated, lonely, senseless experience in which we search for elusive meaning to our existence. One woman is in an apartment: isolation, loneliness. The woman in the picture is faceless: everyone is the same and shares the same fate. She is searching for something: meaning. There is a fire contained in her apartment with no real connection to the picture: life is absurd. The lyrics of Weakerthans “Night Windows” expresses a similar statement about humanity: a man is longing for connection with a woman who is now gone and he is now lonely and his life is without meaning.
Are all artistic creations and works purely an expresion of the artists soul? some would say yes, that the soul is directly intwind with our emotions and expressions thus having a direct impact on one's art. Others will say no that if there is a soul it may not serve a porpos such as that and that if a soul is real it would have little effect on ones expression. For me, i believe that all artistic expression is in a way an expression of the artist's soul. i believe this to be the case in that all forms of art come from deeper feelings,past events, feelings for what may happen in the future, and in an artist's own form of art they have the ability to express all there ideas and fealings. art is an expresion of one's soul in that a person must portray and express what they think of as correct and are thus free to express what they wish. in Hopper's Night Windows he portrays how humans can at times be lonly but can remain content and endure for the hope of better times to come the song further reinforces the somewhat melodramatic mude in a way.
1. Much of visual art is an expression of the artist's soul, but certainly not all. The Renaissance artists painted and sculpted for wealthy Italian families, not to express their soul. The Impressionists sat outside and tried to "copy" the nature they saw before them, not expressing their soul.
2. While Hopper was a versatile painter, Night Windows is a prime example of his most famous genre; urban American scenes. Similar to Nighthawks down at the Art Institute, Night Windows utilizes the contrast of light and dark to convey the emptiness of city life. In this piece, Hopper elicits the idea that meaning can be fleshed out of everyday life, for better or for worse.
3. The lyrics "knowing you're gone / Glancing up at where you lived... leaves me under empty rows of night windows" led me to believe that image of the concealed woman in the painting especially resonated with the band. The song is indeed about a past lover, but in referencing "our city sprawl", The Weakerthans cite Hopper's lonely urban setting and reiforce the idea that humanity can be shallow at times but hopeful at others.
I definitely think all artistic expression is an expression of the artist's soul. Art is emotional. I think all pieces portray the artist's feelings and attitudes with which they were occupied with at the time.
In Edward Hopper's Night Windows, it shows 3 windows. To me, it almost looks like something's missing. It shows a woman by herself in a big, empty room. I think the three windows present three different choices to her. Hopper portrays humans as being lonely and somewhat undecided.
The Weakerthans song Night Windows also depicts humans as lonely. It expresses a human's need for love and someone in their life who completes them. It says the human condition is inherently good, but inclined to evil.
The work of an artist is absolutely an expression of the artist’s soul. Individual souls are the root of stylistic differences in different artists. Artists can be taught at the same school and in the same technique, but the artists retain their individual style through expression of their souls. Take for instance, acting. Actors can learn at the same acting school, but it is their passion and emotion (reflections of their soul) that they put into their performances that separates them. The statement about humanity in NightWindows is that humans live lonely lives when they are devoid of a relationship. I get the feeling that the woman in the painting does not have a companion because late at night, a woman and her companion would usually be together. This lack of a relationship is the cause of her loneliness. Through information presented in the song, I believe the storyline is of a man walking by the apartment of his old girlfriend. She is alone, and he is also alone, and the man seems to be full of regret for what happened in their relationship. Whatever happened in their relationship is the cause of their loneliness.
I think that art is an expression of someones soul. When creating truely passionate art ones whole soul is used as a catalyst to help express the art. Some art is thought out slowly and made to look good, however truly good art is made in the spurr of the moment. Art is directly reflecting the soul's passions, wants, and desires.
Artistic expression reflects the soul because artistic expression involves putting one's feelings onto canvas. In Hopper's painting, humanity's loneliness in urban life is depicted. The song has a similarly pessimistic message, saying that we are often let down by our hopes and dreams. In both the song and the painting, the human condition is that of loneliness.
I think that some artistic expression does come from the artist's soul, and some are just a mood. It goes both ways, they are showing you what they are feeling at the time and there interpretation of something. Artists can change their believes and moods about something, but another artists are truly getting their art from within.
Artistic expression definitely does come from the artist's soul. The soul offers emotions, feelings, and inspiration for artists to express themselves in their work. In Edward Hopper's Night Windows, there is a woman in her apartment. She is alone and may be feeling sad and unhappy. As she tends to the fire and has the windows open, the woman is wishing for someone to be with her. The song tells about someone who has lost a loved one and misses that person greatly. He imagines seeing that person again but knows that is just a dream. These two examples explain that all humans need each one another. All humans need to be loved and need to establish relationships with others in order to be happy.
The soul is important when it comes to art. Art is commonly known as a way of expressing oneself. While expressing yourself, you will need some sort of passion which you will be presenting with. It is hard to say that a person without a soul would be good at expressing themselves because if they did not have a soul, then what would make them want to care enough to present themselves? I believe that the song and this picture go hand in hand. It seems like the guy in the song is some what talking about some one he has lost and awaits to re-unite with. In the picture, there is a lonely woman, and perhaps she is waiting for someone she is supposed to be re-united with. After listening to the song, it is evident that the artist is trying to say that part of the human condition is needing another person with you. In other words, it is essential that human beings know that there is someone else that is going to be there for them.
I do feel that art is an expression of the soul. Any type of art—whether it is a song, painting, etc, is a human’s understanding or explanation of the world around him. People are able to pour out their soul into artistic forms, in a way that would be impossible through words alone. I think most people know a song that deeply connects with them, and I think maybe that is because some part of their soul identifies with the emotions in the song. Both Hopper’s painting and the song seem to reflect on loneliness and humanity’s need for relationships. Humans are also curious about people and inclined to learn more about them, as we tend to look in the window of Hopper’s painting with interest to what the woman is doing.
I believe almost all artistic expression is an expression of the artist’s soul. Art is a subject in which some of the most accomplished products are stright from the heart. To truly produce a unique piece, one must look inside themselves and find the distinction that makes them special. They must then try to convey this originality onto the canvas. In Edward Hopper’s Night Windows, I feel that the artist was trying to portray how humanity is drawn to evil. The painting depicts a woman who is distracted by a fire(sin) while an opportunity literally "flies out the window". This is represented by the curtains being blowing out of the window, rather than in. I feel a similiar message is depicted in the song. The song is focused on missed opportunities and the regret we feel after the fact. I'm sure the woman in the painting and the man in the song would find much in common.
I think that artists use their abilities as an outlet of expression. Hopper's painting shows a woman who is alone in her apartment, and seemingly lonely. The song reflects the lonely atmosphere. But the painting only shows the woman in her apartment, it does not show the person from whose vantage point it is drawn. Who is watching this woman alone in her apartment? This speaks to the human condition that it is not only lonely, but it is confined. To me, it seems as though the observer (who is also alone) would rather observe the woman, than reach out to her, ending both their loneliness.
I think that the soul is the purest part of the human and the source for the purest of our desires. So, a painter or singer usually tries to convey his purest desires and virtues (his soul) through their own form of art. Specifically, Hopper, in Night Windows, tries to tell us that no matter how great the obstacle of sin or lonliness or stuggle(represented by the dark building) that our character, formed by virtue, overcomes this and shines forth through our own window.
I think that true artistic expression is always an expression of the soul. This is because when a person creates some work of art, they are expressing their feelings, hidden desires, and their ideas. All three of these variables are components of the soul. Therefore expression of them is expression of the soul.
Through every artistic expression, I believe it brings out the artist's soul in the work. In the painting, it shows loneliness in a bright room but dark outside. The woman is tending the fire all by herself. The song shows longing for someone and yet he is hopeful to get her back. The painting and the song has a similarity of humanity is not always alone. We just have to stay hopeful and still believe. It is hard to see for the painting, but maybe the woman is not alone just waiting for help and on her own for now.
Artistic epression is an expression of the soul because the artists mood and experiences are shown in their art. Experiences and personality is what makes up the soul. For example Picasso's blue period during that time he was very depressed and one could see that in his art.In Edward Hoppers Night Windows I believe it is stating that humanity has a tendency to be very lonely and yearn to be around other people. Humans need humans that is human nature.
The song Night Windows seem to project the same statement about humanity which is that humans desire companionship they desire other humans. Also it is saying that when humans are alone they do not function the same way they become depressed. The beautiful part of what statement the song is trying to make is that even when humans are in their worst and are alone they do not quit. They do not lose hope. That says alot about the human condition. In a way it is saying the human condition can endure alot. It is strong because it takes strength to fail and continue with hope of a better tommorow.
by Maya Demianczuk
(I used my friend's google account)
Post a Comment