What We Need is Passion and Action

Faith in art seems wasteful sometimes. Why be moved, inspired or even encouraged to create art when it seems so ephemeral? By all accounts in the media the world is a mess. Something drastic is needed to solve the problems. I am not so sure though. The world is more like someone who drops down on the pavement. Many people crowd around, but nobody helps. Collective apathy is a psychological phenomenon. It is only when one person steps forward and takes charge that the rest get jolted out of mental paralysis. 

Art needs action to happen. It demands creative thought and action to make a difference. It is what the world needs. One person (as in each of us) to step forward and take action in our lives to make a difference collectively. Amazing things happen when a person gets moving. That is why nothing great comes from a committee. 

Recently I watched the movie Life of Pi. Yes I know it came out last year, but I like to wait for the DVD since my local cinema does not have a coach. More importantly I read Yann Martel's book a few years ago. Twice. I loved the book. Clearly this meant that the movie would butcher it. The cover of the DVD hailed the movie as "the next Avatar." Rubbish then. Still I gave it a go. I was wrong though. I loved it.

Ang Lee and his alchemists turned base materials into a golden tapestry of light and magic. Art in the true sense of the word. I even watched the extra features where they showed the making of the movie. The technical guys were full of joy about their creation. The interview with Ang Lee sealed it for me. What a genuinely beautiful soul radiates from the man. I have never met him, but I am convinced that he is a humble and loving person living his true calling. He is fuelled by his God given energy and passion. This type of fuel does not run out.

If a creation such as that does not inspire us to embrace our creative passion in whatever we do then we need to take a close look at ourselves. I am convinced that most people are not on the correct path if there is no passion for the task. Would Life of Pi ever have been typed if Yann Martel was just going through the motions? Would the movie have been extraordinary if the director did not feel it in his soul?

What the world needs is not grand gestures, but simply for each person to connect to our passion. Then put that passion into action. Don't believe me? Then hire the movie and see for yourself.