A higher purpose

By Erik Hogan

Hey. Pull up a chair, we have some philosophical hatchet work to do. Today I’m going to throw a big question at you right at the start.

What is the purpose of art?

Boom. While you’re thinking of that, let me provide you a little of my personal context. Then, I’ll offer some rudimentary thoughts in answer to the question. Finally, it’ll be up to you to keep the discussion going in the comments.

First, let me say that I honestly hesitate to call anything I create “art.” To do so feels like I’m crowning myself with some golden ideal aspiration that should only be determined by other people long after I’m gone.

But here is where this question is coming from. I began my photography path with the idea that I could earn a side income doing something I found personally interesting and rewarding. I hear you scoffing, thinking what a plebeian motivation money is. But we all need it in our modern society and I have an obligation to provide for my family. I could do photography on my own time and it could potentially lead to bigger opportunities, without trading hours of my life for dollars while wearing body armor and a gun belt.

After pursuing this goal for years, I’ve come to two conclusions. The first is that landscape photography has become profoundly beneficial to my own inner growth and personal sense of fulfillment. The second is that I will likely never earn any significant amount of income from it.

The reasons for that second conclusion are many. I could blame social media for the flood of stunning photography instantly available at the flick of a finger. Or blame the economy. Or the emergence of AI. And I won’t forget to blame myself, while I’m at it. I’m stubborn, and unwilling to pursue service oriented/client based photography such as weddings, corporate head shots, or pictures of your babies (no matter how cute).

I write this not to complain, but in slow acceptance of the reality that lies before me. And it’s not just me. Ask any nature photographer and you’ll hear not of the skill that you need to succeed, but of the multiple income sources, networking, business acumen, and self promotion abilities that are required to allow one to eke out a living in the industry. I don’t have that acumen.

So, if photography isn’t going to earn me income but I still want to pursue it because it is so rewarding, I am left with only one way to conceive of it. It is my attempt at art.

Here’s the kicker, though. I’m not going to invest so much of my resources into pursuing something simply because it makes me feel good. Perhaps it’s part of my personality, but I believe there HAS to be a higher purpose in order for me to justify doing it.

How can I view my photography, or writing and even backpacking for that matter, as a worthy service to others rather than enjoyable hobbies or self-gratification?

What is the purpose of art?

Brasstown Falls ‘The Veil’, South Carolina

Here is some of my reasoning. Take it or leave it as you see fit.

Art can embody perfection or beauty to varying degrees and in varying forms. Our predisposition may be to think of the pleasing, uplifting, or inspirational aspects of those elements, but it is possible to believe that “art” could be used for or have negative effects. Think of a masterfully crafted painting or photo that presents drug use as a good idea, for example.

We must recognize that art objects are fundamentally material things, or representations of them in the case of digital images. Manifestations of perfection, beauty, and even the material things themselves, are not entirely under our control. That beauty may or may not be captured or expressed as intended in the work. As a material thing, a work of art can be damaged, lost, or stolen. Seeking to possess or collect art can lead down a path of ostentatious materialism that distracts from things of true value, namely virtue and the pursuit of excellence of the mind.

Because of these two factors we have to say that art is not an ultimate good in and of itself. It falls into the realm of things we should hold as indifferent to us, even though any work of art still can be considered as having value.

But let’s look at art from a different angle. Human beings live up to their highest potential when they fully embody what it is that makes us human. We call that living in accordance with nature. There are two primary characteristics that make humans what we are. We are rational and we are pro-social.

Art could be fully aligned with the pro-social nature of our humanity. First, let’s consider that the drive to create art is a intrinsically ingrained part of most, if not all people. Think of the earliest ancestors of humans creating cave paintings representing the world that they knew. Most young children seem predisposed to draw and color their most fanciful imaginings. This occurs across all cultures and geographies. There is something innately human in that initial motivation and when it is refined through age and experience and reason we arrive at the Sistine Chapel or the Taj Mahal.

But why? I would like to propose that art is a communication of experience, belief, and motivation that transcends language. In its earliest forms, what better way to inspire the group to work together than to paint glorious scenes of successful hunts on the cave walls? Or, maybe, to impart caution and give an edge for survival by depicting fear inspiring images of predators?

Across the ages, art can be viewed as an attempt to relay humanity’s highest ideals. That may be reverence for God, the veneration of nature, examples of human excellence, or cautionary warnings. The point is, art is a message from the artist to the viewer. It seeks to communicate supra-rationally, in a way that speaks to emotion, intuition, motivation, and the subconscious. Perhaps it has the capacity to ignite virtue itself in a way that explanation of its value cannot? After all, one may spell out “sublime” and define it on a page, but that will never have the impact of the visual image of beams of sunlight streaming through broken clouds, illuminating the mountains below.

So perhaps we’ve outlined two ways of perceiving art. In it’s physical form it may be pleasing to view and valuable to possess, but must remain only an indifferent that we would prefer and not be held as an ultimate good. But on the other hand then we consider the act of creation or the appreciation of art. Perhaps this aspect of art makes it an impression that communicates. This impression speaks wordlessly directly to the spirit; to the soul. We recognize its voice as uniquely human and though we may not be able to describe why with language, we give it our strong assent. In that sense, the higher purpose of art could be the pro-social enrichment or elevation of the experience of life.

That all sounds exceptional. However, in order to even try to relay any such message I need to experience it first hand. For me that means finding awe by standing vulnerable before the savage beauty of Nature herself. Truth is found beyond the boundaries of civilization and comfort. It is discovered by pushing past fear, to one’s limits and still further. There, one can see the pneuma, the vital spirit within oneself, and begin to witness it in all things. By such experiences a deep connection with Nature can be realized, in which each tiny piece is a vital part of the greater whole. Yet still, the whole is greater than the assembly of its parts.

This, my friends, is a process of learning about soul and how to show it to others. After all, life is so much greater than just being about me

Gregory Bald, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

How does this perspective resonate with you? As strongly as I’ve worded the ideas above, there still remains a possibility that I’m simply justifying my own selfish pursuits with flowery language. What do you think?

Also, the fact still remains that I need to make ends meet. As aspirational as my goals in photography and writing may be, they very well may have to take a back seat at some point. That is simply a potential reality.

For now, I’m looking forward to the next big adventure and another chance to experience the extremes I described and relay the lessons I learn to you. I’m one month out from a third attempt at thru hiking the Bartram Trail. Last year I cancelled it one day before Hurricane Helene roared through the area leaving devastation in its wake. This spring I cancelled it a week before due to wildfires closing long stretches of the trail. The third time is a charm, fate permitting.

I have a limited time window to complete this 112 mile trail. It will mean pushing big mileage each day with little time to spare. I have a strong base, but the training begins now. And, by that I include the philosophical, creative, as well as the physical trining.This is a pilgrimage, after all.

Erik Hogan is an Athens police officer whose photography captures the beauty of nature.