The Art of Aging
On a recent trip to New York my wife and I visited The MET. Let me rephrase to be more accurate. My wife allowed us to spend 90 minutes in the world famous Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. A highlight of the trip for me but not her cup of cabernet (she is not a tea drinker.)
And I get it. The appreciation of ancient statues missing body parts, or paint on canvas that at times looks as if it was mastered by a six year old is not for everyone. (Please notice the pic of Pam “enjoying” of one of her favorites entitled “Blue”). But there were the classics. I loved all 90 minutes.
Somehow this experience reminded me of aging. No, not because many of the exhibits were thousands of years old. It was the fact that art and aging is very personal. And how we age, or enjoy art is unique to each of us. How cool is that!
Yes, aging is a wonderful combination of art and science. The science of biology that we now understand as the 14 Hallmarks of Aging. But let’s leave the conversation of mitochondria, senescent cells, and telomeres for another day.
There is no universal definition of art, although there is a general consensus that art is the concious creation of something beautiful or meaningful. And this starts the understanding that aging (well) is an art.
Words that are associated with art often include unique, passion, joy, vibrant, skilled, creative, emotional, feeling, and life. Some of the same words we can use to describe aging well.
Knowing that my time was limited at the MET, I wanted to make the most of every precious minute. Yes there were exhibits in the museum that I did not like. Such is life. So what did I do? I didn’t focus on them. I did not let them, the things I didn’t like, get in my way for the search of my masterpiece.
At times I allowed myself to reach outside of my comfort zone (still talking about the MET here) to allow an appreciation for works that I normally would not like. “Well that is interesting.” It did make the experience better.
Then I found it- The Starry Night.
Oil on canvas painted by Dutch Post-impressionist Vincent Van Gogh. He painted it in June of 1889
It depicts the view from the east facing window of his asylum room at the Saint-Re’my-de-Provence just before sunrise. Yes, he was a patient there. Aging is not easy for any of us. In the aftermath of the 23 December, 1888 breakdown that resulted in the self mutilation of his left ear, Van Gogh admitted himself into the asylum.
During the stay, his prolific output produced some his best known works. Art historian Sven Loevgren suggested his “art was conceived in a state of great agitation.” Van Gogh used his art to live his best life possible. Seeing his great works made my trip. That and watching my wife make funny faces at the art she did not like. We all live life uniquely.
In ancient Greece, Plato suggested art to be something beautiful and meaningful. After my time at The MET I would agree. It was only 90 minutes, but I made the most of it. The same feelings I want to have about life.
Let me leave you with this quote from German novelist Franz Kafka - ”Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty will never grow old”.
Enjoy your day. I hope you find your masterpiece.
Just a little extra-
I have a confession to make. I am not a fan of the Mona Lisa. I know, artistic heresy. The most well known, priceless piece of art in the world and I would not hang it in my living room. It’s just not me, and that’s ok.
The work reflects Leonardo da Vinci’s famous sfumato technique made of 20 layers of paint to create a delicate, hazy effect. The famous smile/ not smile is said to disappear with direct vision, known as the faveal effect.
I do have a strong appreciation for it’s historical value in the art world, but as is said-beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Which brings me to my second close and quote. This one from Frank Lloyd Wright-
”The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”
References
Zelazko, Alicia. August 19, 2024. The Starry Night. Britannica
Cole, Margherita. June 28, 2024. Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. My Modern Art
The MET