What is Art? That is an age old question. Are martial arts truly a form of Art? For centuries philosophers have debated as to what constitutes true Art. Some have implied cake making, computer programming and business are Art. That is debatable.
However, on the other extreme, activities such as painting and music are undeniably classified as Art.
But the question remains, is martial art art?
When I watch the Ultimate Fighting Championship and see a pair of two hundred and fifty pounds hulks duel, it's not a pretty sight.
On the other hand, when I watch the flowing and graceful movements of a Wushu Pattern, it's beauty comparable to a ballet.
But is it Art?
It's difficult to determine if martial art is Art if we don't have a clear definition of what Art is. When I think of Art I usually think of neurotic individuals whom never seem to be satisfied with anything.
Whether the artist is a poet, musician or painter. He/she trying to reach his/her ideal through some activity.
The painter is attempting to articulate his vision. The painter is escaping everyday life and exaggerating the beauty he/she sees in the every life.
The Musician is expressing his/her world of feeling. Whether it be sadness, anger or happiness. The musician is trying to clearly express what they feel. One octave to high or low, and the feeling that is expressed is different.
The Poet often writes about male-female relationships, glorifying the beauty of human union.
The martial artist expresses his ideal too. The martial artist attempts to reach his ideal of power and invunerability. His dedication to his training is escape from his everyday ordinary life, an exaggeration. It is through his/her seriousness that his/her endeavour becomes Art.
Perfection is of the mind. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Not every man is attracted to the same female. Our ideals are personal and subjective. One martial artist may be very satisfied with his current level of skill. However the true martial artist knows the truth of his vunerability and always strives to better himself.
It is through the seriousness that the artist takes towards the endeavour that makes his/her trade art. The body's movements are sculpted to gain a fine motor control which can almost be considered inhuman. The muscles take upon uncanny strength when compared to the average human being. The martial artist sculpts his body into a living weapon. Always perfecting, never satisfied.
Art is not a given, we make art. Oil paints and Acrylics weren't lying around waiting for human hands to use them. It was through our ardent quest to communicate that such a medium of expression was created. Hides and Cat guts weren't awaiting their use as musical instruments. It is through our need to express our moods and emotions that music has been created.
Just because a martial artist takes martial arts classes does not instrinsically make him an artist. It is the seriousness which the individual takes towards his endeavours that it becomes art.
Art is feeling. Often we split trades into either Art or Science. But neither can live exclusively. For what is science if it cannot be applied as they are in the Arts. And how can Art exist without understanding of technical laws. However, the main characteristic that embodies art is the use of feeling.
Science relies on fact finding, statistics and logic to define what is absolute. Art relies on personal feeling for the absolute. In Art no mathematical equation exist to verify if a painting is aesthetically pleasing. All one has is feeling. In art there is no gauge to judge if a song strikes one emotionally. All one has is feeling. Martial artist don't use measuring tapes to determine if they are maintaining the correct distance between their opponents. All one has is feeling. Martial artist don't have one single formula to defeat any opponent, his / her judgement is made by what he / she feels.
Art relies on the intuitions and emotions. By exercising these faculties in artistic endeavours do we gain confidence in them. While science finds confidence with fact-finding, art finds confidence with feeling. The artist knows his/her intuitions well and knows that it is capable of sensible judgement. The artist looks forward, nor back but uses what he/she feels at the present moment. Art expands the individual by having him/her rely on his/her feelings.
Art is creativity. While the basics of music are simple, the musician is always finding new combinations and new instruments which create a completely different melody. The painter always seeks to represent reality, however he always finds new colours to mix or new ways to draw arms and legs. Art is never fixed, it is a growing process. The artist grows with his art as he discovers new ways to express him/herself.
Martial arts also allow for creativity. Today's traditional structure doesn't allow for much creativity since we often take upon a certain 'styles' of martial arts. We obey our masters without question or thought. We assimilate, conform and label ourselves.
Before being introduced to martial arts I would have known no other way of fighting other than using my fist. Martial art expanded my creativity. Martial Arts broke my minds original limitations and showed me how to use my feet, elbows and fingers in fighting.
Martial arts came to their current level by breaking the limitatations of the ordinary mind. Deep reflection as to 'what is combat' brought about the technique we have today.
However, that does not mean it should stop. Artist are never satisfied. Artist never settle to believe they have reached perfection, though they strive for it daily. Martial artist should be creating new techinques rather than robotically imatiting their masters. Martial arts should be thinking rather than passively accepting their masters teaching.
Martial arts became martial arts through creativity, the process must continue.
Martial arts are Art. But what exist today does not look very much like Art. It's up to us to continue to elevate combat to the level of Art.
