Frozen in Time, Alive in Joy
– Nitya Kakade,
FY BSc. Economics (2024-28).
Estimated Reading Time ~ 3 minutes
Source: Pixabay
Look at the picture above. What you see is not an installation, but humans posing as one. Their skin and clothes are painted very carefully to give off the impression that they are sculptures, and they stand completely still so as to reinforce that idea. When they move slightly, they’re giving passersby a jumpscare.
These artists are called living statues. It’s a very intricate performance art, and one that often receives appreciation, because you simply have to turn back to properly admire the effort and dedication put into it. Does it have a deeper meaning? Often not, but that doesn’t change the fact that its sheer existence makes you smile. That small smile is a gift from them to us.
Because art like this is a celebration of the present. When we’re caught up in our responsibilities and life seems too hectic, a glimpse of this art gives us the chance to just be happy. It calls for us to live in the “here” rather than the “where next”. It’s grounding, and everything feels alright again, even if just for a moment. The art provides a refuge, a space where the weight of being a grown-up is lifted. And it’s not just living statues; it can be any piece of artwork we see around us. Graffiti, random doodles, small art installations. They all convey the same message: life is for living, and sometimes, we need to stop and enjoy it. They act as beacons of brightness in our mundane routine and tell us that it’s okay to be frivolous once in a while. This moment doesn’t last long, but the reminder is all we need.
A giant mural in Southampton, England
This sentiment isn’t limited to statues or public installations, it can be found in every corner of the world. Consider films, for instance. We often praise thought-provoking dramas as the height of cinematic achievement, but isn’t there just as much merit to the lighthearted comedies that make us laugh until we cry? The charm of carefree and easygoing movies like Hera Pheri and Golmaal is always irresistible, no matter how many years pass.
Or music – while we all love different genres of music, cheerful and bright songs like Espresso and APT are the ones that bring us all together. In much the same way, truck art in South Asia transforms the vehicle into a canvas. Not just a form of expression for the driver, but also a gift to everyone who catches a glimpse, letting us forget the traffic on the highway for a second. Even the concept of memes is built on the same principle. They’re meant to make us smile and forget our worries for a moment. Nothing more, nothing less, and that’s worth enough.
Sometimes there’s an unspoken pressure society puts onto art. That art needs to carry meaning, challenge conventions, or be grounded in realism. But what is art if not an expression of emotion? Is happiness not worthy enough an emotion? Art that expresses joy is vital too. It’s the lightness of these experiences that can leave the greatest impact. Things don’t need to be somber or clever to hold meaning for someone – they just need to make you feel something good, something genuine.
It’s easy to overlook the simple things that bring us joy, especially when we feel busy or overwhelmed. But when we take the time to notice them, we realise how much they enrich our lives. Life isn’t a series of tasks to be checked off the list. It’s a collection of fleeting moments, small pockets of happiness where we least expect them. They remind us that amidst the hustle and bustle, it’s the moments of pure joy that stay with us.