b'Art was the release that restored balance orlacks mutuality. Artistic expressions are too individual.equilibrium to the student. Their artwork expressed anFurthermore, the artist is indifferent to whoever instinctive knowledge of the laws of the universe, and areceives the message; any audience will do. They habit or behavior in harmony with nature (Read, 1964).give themselves not to anyone in particular, but the But are expressions naturally character-forming? Areworld at large, Macmurray writes, That is not a fuller they even cathartic? Read may be too romantic; inbut a narrower experience; because personally, to reality, many expressions are unhealthy. give yourself to everyone, is to give yourself to no Sociologist Robert Witkin suggests that expressionsone (Macmurray, 1995). Artworks may connect with must resolve, complete, or cancel out the impressionaudiences; they can give but cant receive. Theyre too if they are to be effective. Many of our expressions,individual and indifferent; without mutuality, there can unfortunately, are merely reactions, simple reflexesbe no real community. that dont reciprocate. By reciprocity, Witkin explains,Art must give way to relationships. If art is is meant here a relationship in which the responsecontemplative, then community is relational. is the counterpart or reciprocal . . . [in the way that]Communion is the key word, Macmurray suggests, in my scratch is said to be the counterpart of my itch.the same sense that contemplation is the key word of It is reciprocal and will be effective in the sense ofart . . . One must stand aside to contemplate; one must canceling it out (Witkin, 1974). Flinging paint on anot be personally involved. But a personal involvement canvas or pounding clay with fists may use up theis the core of [community] (Macmurray, 1986). energy involved in the impression, but they ultimatelyCharacter is formed in young people only when they go fail to satisfy. They disregard beauty and meaning andbeyond art and get involved in the lives of others.instead amount to Reads instinctual obedience toArt is for communitythe fuller experience, the aesthetic laws; theyre im-person-al. Only uniquelyfullest expression of our humanity. Teachers form human expressions can form the character that buildscharacter in students by encouraging healthy, creative community.expressions that connect with others, who then use Human expressions relieve what itches becausethose connections to build personal relationships. theyre person-al. They deal honestly with humanYoung people, who will impact society in some way, emotions, and yet, even when in the depths, they donthave the opportunity to make it positive. Art can help; despairthey remain hopeful. Honesty and hope areArt Educators play an essential part.healthy. Adolescence is complex, and its often easier for young people to indulge their feelings rather thanReferences:try to understand them. But its only in understandingMacmurray, J. (1995 [1935]). Reason and Emotion. emotions that they can be authenticated andAtlantic Heights, NJ: Humanities Press.expressed satisfactorily. ______(1986 [1961]). Religion, Art, and Science. Toronto: Additionally, human expressions have the capacityMission Press.for creativity. Creativity is not being unique or original,Plato. (2006). Laws, Benjamin Jowett (trans). New York: as we sometimes supposeits not really about theDover.creator but about things coming together. Healthy,______(1999) The Republic, Benjamin Jowett (trans). New creative expressions arent turned in on themselves.York: Barnes & Noble.Instead, they reach out to the world; they makeRead, H. (1964 [1943]). Education Through Art. London: connections. Faber and Faber.Even healthy, creative expressions that make______(1966) The Redemption of the Robot: My connectionswhile positiveare limited, however.Encounter with Education Through Art. New York: Art is powerfully expressive, but its not the fullestTrident Press.expression of our humanity. Philosopher JohnWitkin, R (1974). Intelligence of Feeling. London: Macmurray explains, The artistic attitude is that of theHeinneman.looker-on, admiring . . . but not participating in the life that it contemplates . . . the artist cannot co-operate in his activity. He is solitary in it (Macmurray, 1995). Art TRENDS // PAGE 54PAGE 55 // TRENDS'