The Five Senses

The other day, I was contemplating what would happen if I lost one of my senses, which would affect me the most, and how would it change my art.


I love hearing nature and music, and being able to hear no doubt makes daily life and communication easier. However, losing my hearing wouldn't affect my artwork. If I lost my sense of smell or taste, it wouldn't affect my artwork. Though losing either of these could pose extra dangers in your life, I think for me, these would affect my life the least.

If I lost my sight, it would dramatically affect my day to day life, but artistically, I imagine I would shift to a more sculptural bent. I have no doubt that I would continue to create and feel artistically fulfilled.

Finally, the sense of touch. I am certain that this is the most important to me. For the people and animals in my life, I love seeing and talking to them, but it is the touch that creates the bond. It would definitely be a great sadness to lose my sense of touch. I can imagine myself happier blind, than unfeeling. (Imagining myself blind in a hospital bed, feeling the faces of my loved ones.) When I create artwork, I really enjoy the feel of the material in my hands as I work. I am happy to let my hands work of their own kinetic knowledge. It is that sense of touch, combined with the visual aspect of seeing the artwork, which leads to the emotional connection and fulfilled sense of work well done. While I am certain I would continue to create artwork if I couldn't see, I cannot say the same thing if I couldn't feel. I don't think solely the visual aspect of creating artwork would be enough for me. I know I would continue in artistic expression. Without the sense of touch though, I am almost certain I would turn away from visual media to a greater focus on music.

I guess the important thing for me to do about this realization is just to fully appreciate my sense of touch while I have it, and pray that I'll be able to keep it.