I was going to start this post by saying I’ve never described anything as transcendent before, but then I remembered that I study theology, so I talk about the transcendence (and immanence) of God all the damn time. But, I’m not talking about God now. I’m talking about art in its many forms.
I’ve thought a lot about the transcendent quality of movies before. They have this way of not just taking me somewhere else, but putting me in a place where I can look at my own life from an angle I’m not used to. It’s a different perspective and it’s new every time.
When I watch movies in a theater, at a certain point, I often find myself staring at the screen, but thinking of my life and all the things I want to do. Somehow watching the lives of other people play out makes me want to do more with my own.
I had this experience again a couple weeks ago when I went to see Up In The Air. It’s not like the movie made me think to myself, “I want to be an expert traveler like Ryan Bingham” or I could see myself in the story arc of Natalie. It’s nothing literal. But, as I was in the movie, I had a strange feeling and when I left, life looked differently than when I walked in. It occurred to me that I could live differently than I do.
I often experience music this same way. It doesn’t happen always, but sometimes when I’m listening to Simon and Garfunkel, every line makes me think of a hundred different things that are all immediately relevant to my life.
It’s the reason fiction meant so much to me growing up.
It’s not just the art itself. It’s also the experience of the person producing it. There’s something very moving about realizing this thing that seems so impressive that it possesses a transcendent quality was produced by regular people. We can all do the same.
Usually the feeling is fleeting. It’s not mine to hold onto, but a part of it stays with me, complicating the way I see the world and my place in it.
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this post reminds me of that quote (and i forget who it’s by) “Let me ask you something, what is not art?”.
too true. all of it.
xx
This post reminds me of a poem in the Outlaw Book of American Poetry where the poet complains about the poetry shelf at the bookstore; how there’s one book of a poets work and 25 by other people explaining exactly what the poet was saying, thinking, feeling, etc., when writing the poems. which brings me to a great quote by Melissa Etheridge that I’m goongnyo completely butcher, “it doesn’t matter what I wrote the song about or what it means to me. It’s what it means to you when you listen to it that counts.”
Movies and music AND fiction all do this to me as well. I think that’s why I love all of these things so much. And did you not LOVE “Up in the Air”????? I thought it was really great!
I love it when I get that feeling. It makes me think so many things are possible.
That happens to me all the time. I always put myself in the place of the character and it can get quite emotional for me sometimes. I felt that way when I saw Garden State. You’re like, “How did someone get into my head and then write a movie about it?” But I haven’t seen Up in the Air yet and I now I know I have to!
And that’s how certain movies become my “favorite” movies, because they’ve taken me to a place where I examine my life and even make changes, i.e. High Fidelity. Most recently, that was 500 Days of Summer.
This is why art is important, and should never, ever be censored.
I, too, love that feeling. It’s why I read so much, why I love to see movies alone. I feel like that feeling belongs to me for a little while longer before regular life comes crashing back down on me.
I feel the same way about fiction. You explained it in a way that I’ve never been able to. I think it can also help us understand ourselves better.
That movie was awesome. I know what you mean, that last scene really made me feel like the world is full of possibilities (as cheesy as that may sound).
I felt the same way when I came out of “Up in the Air.” I feel the same way about movies. Sometimes they just make me feel transcendent. Like I’m watching myself living my life. Great post!
Simon and Garfunkel does the same for me. And I haven’t listened to S&G for a long time – I think it’s overdue.
I just discovered your blog via Twenty Something – and I love your writing. It’s honest. It’s real. And I relate to it. On a post related note – the transcendent power of film and literature and music, etc. is one of the things I loved most about teaching high schoolers. Helping them catch that vision of what relates us more than what separates us was incredible.
I came across your blog while browsing, and I really enjoy reading it! I definitely can relate to what you mean about movies and music making you want to live your life differently, more passionately maybe? Anyways, what you said about this being why fiction meant so much to you growing up, and I think you helped me realize why I feel the same about fiction. Great writing, I’m looking forward to continue reading!