Can we live our life like a work of art? – by Valérie Champault

A few weeks ago, our dear Daniëlle de Wilde published a fascinating LinkedIn post about visualizing a human cell. You can see it here: Daniëlle de Wilde's LinkedIn .

This post inspired two thoughts in me: the human cell looks uncannily like an Aboriginal canvas, and it reminded me of a philosophical question I had worked on during my studies:  can we live our lives as a work of art?

Daniëlle invited me to write on this subject, and I am happy to take up the challenge. 

A Philosophical-Coaching Look

“With every thought, I craft beauty into existence. » – Alberto Villoldo

At the time of my studies, my thinking was purely philosophical. Today, aware that I have forgotten many elements in philosophy, but that I now have 'experience' (no no my student years were yesterday of course) and the addition of what I learned during my journey with BAO-Elan Vital . Via the Explore r and Discoverer journeys but also Voyager , enriched, I therefore revisit this question with a new perspective.

The work of art is an ideal that artists, and probably all of us, strive for. Van Gogh, for example, sought to capture the ideal of color. In the same way, each of us strives for some form of perfection in our lives. We've all admired actors, singers, painters, dancers, and other artists (and now YouTubers and influencers for the younger generation). Who hasn't dreamed of becoming their favorite artist when they were younger? For me, it was Madonna. I owe her admiration for Women Power, and I've embraced being unapologetically myself.

Many of us spend our lives trying to do better, to improve, to go "higher." Somehow, to become our own work of art in our professional practices, or simply as human beings. Hence the advent of all the approaches to personal development, moreover. No doubt in most cases, for the good since it is about knowing ourselves better and doing better, for ourselves, others, and to heal our lineage.

The Evolution of Art and Life

As Aristotle states in "Poetics," art is an imitation of nature, but this imitation can transcend the mere reflection of reality to become an expression of the very essence of existence.

Art imitates life, but above all, it is a reflection of human concerns and our definition of what Life is. From the raw reality of cave paintings to the conceptual art of Mark Rothko (my favorite artist), art has evolved toward increasingly abstract and spiritual forms. This evolution reflects a shift in human concerns from survival to a deeper reflection on our existence.

In shamanism, we move from a 'serpent' posture, down to earth, the material aspects to a 'hummingbird' (the mythical) and 'eagle' (the spiritual) posture. Let poetry in, and look at the world from a higher point of view.

The Benefits of Art in Life

Art brings beauty and well-being. It helps us detach from daily concerns, reduce stress, and increase our mindfulness. It is also a powerful means of expression. Politically engaged art, such as that of fashion designers, often reflects the psychological and philosophical aspects of the artist—for example, in the case of Alexander McQueen, whose biography I am currently reading, by blending life and death, power and vulnerability.

Art and Therapy

Art therapy allows us to express what we cannot express with words. In coaching, we can use the power of drawings, symbols and stories to move forward: see the power of the "identity matrix" for example (a tool seen in Discoverer , which I particularly like) to highlight our personal issues.

Storytelling helps us become aware of our inner narrative and transform it positively. The principle of the "3 card story," revisited during Voyager , allows us to become aware of the story we tell ourselves and our inner narrative.

Dancing is another form of artistic expression with therapeutic effects. Friedrich Nietzsche said that you need music within yourself to make the world dance, and that every day without dancing is a wasted day. As a tango dancer, I share this conviction. Life is like a milonga (a tango evening), full of encounters, sharing, and emotions. In fact, in coaching, we ask the question: when did you stop dancing?

I participated as a volunteer and organizer in a tango therapy experience for women who were in remission from cancer. These women, by the second class, had bought dresses and started wearing makeup again. Tango allowed them to build a network of friends who were going through the same thing, a network of volunteer dancer friends who were there to help them dance. This series of classes resulted in a reconnection to their bodies, to life, and the discovery of a new passion.

Last but not least, what are family constellations, if not a living and revealing family picture?

These constellations go further than theater, since we don't act, but we personify a role. But it looks like it for a spectator and for the person whose constellation it is. During these constellations, we seek to understand the meaning of what is unfolding before our eyes. With additional insight. (see Constellation )

Writing and Photography

Journaling is a common practice in coaching. It allows you to become aware of your own mechanisms and put events into perspective, to write down your worries and grievances (and therefore externalize them instead of internalizing them), and to settle a number of scores and problems.

It's such a powerful tool that it needs to be handled with caution. An interesting article I read recently (I unfortunately no longer have the reference, if anyone can find it, I'd be happy to), warned about the risks of polarization if the journal is continually written in a negative way - this could serve to dwell on the trauma rather than help heal from it. From then on, it's about learning to write in a positive way and putting events and thoughts into perspective in order to evolve positively.

Photography, on the other hand, reconnects us to the present and the beauty of the moment. It can be a powerful tool for well-being and healing, as evidenced by the experience of those who use it to overcome grief.

Art in Business

Many of you know that I work for Proximus, which is one of the Belgian companies to have an art collection (just like Belfius). Bernard Arnault in France created his Louis Vuitton Foundation, François Pinault has the Bourse de Commerce. It's about behaving as patrons, of course, but it also corresponds to a passion and a sense of aesthetics for some, as well as a desire to provide well-being to their employees. What better way to

decorate the walls and stimulate creativity?

The Dangers of an Aesthetic Ideal

By wanting to live your life like a work of art, you can go too far. The excesses of cosmetic surgery come to mind. By dint of wanting to resemble an ideal, you can lose yourself and no longer resemble anything (I will avoid references here but I am sure that we all have them ;-))

As a digital communications specialist, I have to address the topic of social media. Living your life like a work of art in 2024 is a bit like 'living my life as an Instagrammer, a TikToker.'

With a search for aesthetics and showing a positive side of ourselves that doesn't correspond to the whole reality of our lives. With the impacts we know on psychologically vulnerable people, depression, etc.

With all this in mind, we can say that art, handled properly, is certainly a tool for life! And that what matters is being the conductor of your life.

The art of living is ultimately above all a question of balance and authenticity.

Conclusion

In Freudian psychology, art represents Eros, the life drive. A life without art would be sad, approaching thanatos, the death drive.

To destroy art is to destroy a civilization.

Ultimately, we are all works of art. Each person has a unique place in the universe. Working on yourself with the help of a coach can help you find that place and live life to the fullest.

And then... to come full circle, this photo of a human cell, just like these visuals of the universe, colorful, full of stars, are they not proof that we are works of art?