Art Can Ease Your Fear Of Dying
Creative luminaries have long expressed how death and the desire to leave a lasting impact in the form of art serve as a driving force in their work. The late fashion designer Alexander McQueen, known for his groundbreaking designs, once said, So that when I’m dead and gone, people will know that the 21st century was started by Alexander McQueen. Similarly, German writer and Nobel Prize winner Hermann Hesse regarded the fear of death as the root of all art.
This profound drive, often referred to as symbolic immortality, involves an individual creating a lasting figurative relationship with life that shapes culture, as seen in the works of creative greats such as Wolfgang Mozart, Vincent Van Gogh, and Leo Tolstoy.
Recent research published in the Journal of Creative Behavior delves deeper into this concept and finds that creative achievements may serve a positive function in easing existential anxieties and reducing the fear of death. The study suggests that engaging in everyday acts of creative expression, even for non-artists, can tap into this transformative power.
Lead author of the study, Rotem Perach, a psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Kent, explains, I see symbolic immortality as a way to stay alive in one’s culture after one’s physical death.
The researchers conducted a comprehensive review of 12 previous studies, which confirmed that creative achievement does indeed play a role in managing anxiety associated with the awareness of death. To further explore this connection, they conducted their own experiment involving 108 students.
Participants were asked to fill out assessments about their creative activities, achievements, and goals. They also answered questions pertaining to their aspirations to create significant works or make notable contributions to the arts or sciences. Additionally, they were presented with statements related to death anxiety and fear of public speaking, indicating their level of agreement or disagreement. Finally, the students completed a task involving word associations, distinguishing between death-related and non-death-related words.
The results indicated that individuals with a greater emphasis on creativity were inclined to choose more death-related words. However, those who had previously achieved a major creative milestone or expressed a strong desire to make creative impacts in the future had a less death-centered perspective.
The findings highlight the positive existential value that creative achievements hold for those who prioritize creativity. By becoming valuable contributors to something larger, more meaningful, and longer-lasting than their physical existence, individuals gain protection from mortality concerns offered by their culture.
The study’s authors concluded, Understanding the existential meanings of an enduring creative achievement may be particularly valuable for expert creative persons as they navigate motivational and creative challenges en route to eminence.
These findings shed light on the profound impact that art and creativity can have in alleviating fears surrounding mortality. By fostering a sense of lasting significance, creative individuals find solace and purpose in the face of the impermanence of life.
In a world where death is a universal experience, the power of art to transcend mortality and leave a lasting imprint on the collective consciousness is truly remarkable. Whether through brushstrokes on a canvas, musical compositions, or literary masterpieces, the creative spirit of humanity continues to thrive, offering comfort and inspiration to all.
So, let us celebrate the timeless beauty of art and the indomitable spirit of creativity that transcends our mortal existence, reminding us of the legacy we leave behind.
