When I make art, I think about its ability to connect with

Opening Scene

The room is filled with the soft glow of evening light, casting a gentle, almost ethereal atmosphere. Outside, the city hums quietly, the distant sounds of life fading into the stillness of the night. Inside, Jack sits at the table, sketching something on a piece of paper, his focus deep. Jeeny is standing near the bookshelf, thumbing through a collection of old books, her mind clearly elsewhere, lost in thought. The room feels alive with the energy of quiet reflection, like a moment of creation waiting to happen.

Host: Finally, Jeeny breaks the stillness, her voice soft but steady, as though she’s been thinking about something for a while.

Jeeny: “You know, I was thinking about something Jim Hodges said — ‘When I make art, I think about its ability to connect with others, to bring them into the process.’ It really made me wonder — when we create something, what is it that we’re really trying to do? Are we just expressing ourselves, or are we trying to bring others into that space, to invite them to experience what we feel?”

Jack: “That’s such an interesting question. I think Hodges is onto something. Art isn’t just about what we make; it’s about what it does — how it makes others feel, how it allows them to see the world through our eyes. It’s like we’re inviting them into our creative process, into that moment of vulnerability and expression. It’s not just about sharing an image, but about creating a connection.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about engaging others in a way that’s almost personal, like saying, ‘Here, I’ve created something, and I want you to experience it with me.’ Whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, or even a piece of music, it’s a way to bridge the gap between us. It’s an invitation to share in the emotions and ideas that come with it.”

Jack: “It’s funny, though, because when we think of art, we often think about it as an isolated experience. We imagine the artist alone in their studio, creating something from their own world. But in reality, it’s only complete when it’s shared. It’s when the audience interacts with the art that the real magic happens.”

Host: The room grows quieter as the conversation deepens, the weight of Hodges’ words settling between them. Jeeny takes a step closer to the table, her eyes meeting Jack’s, clearly reflecting on the deeper implications of what they’ve said.

Jeeny: “I think it’s true — art can be an isolated process, but it’s always meant to reach beyond the artist. It’s a way of sharing something deeply personal, but also a way of connecting with people, with humanity. I think that’s why people are drawn to art in the first place. It reflects something about us, something we can relate to, something that speaks to us beyond the surface.”

Jack: “It’s the universal aspect of it. No matter what the medium is, when we create, we’re saying, ‘I see the world this way, and I want you to see it too.’ Art doesn’t just live in the artist’s mind; it lives in the minds of the people who experience it. And in that moment, there’s a kind of shared understanding, a kind of connection that doesn’t need words.”

Jeeny: “That’s the beauty of it. Art doesn’t have to be understood the same way by everyone. It’s the fact that it sparks something in each person that matters. It opens up a conversation, even if it’s unspoken. It’s a way of saying, ‘I’m here, and so are you,’ even if we’re not talking to each other directly.”

Jack: “It’s about creating a space where we can all be present, where we can all engage in a shared experience. Whether the art is challenging, beautiful, or unsettling, it’s always about the connection it creates. It’s not just about what we make, but about what it does once it leaves our hands. How it moves people, makes them think, makes them feel.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, as if the understanding between them has opened up a new sense of clarity. The conversation has shifted from the individual act of creation to the universal power of art to connect, to bring people together, to invite them into something larger than themselves. Jack and Jeeny sit quietly for a moment, both reflecting on how art transcends the artist and becomes a shared experience.

Jeeny: “So, it’s not just about what we create, but about the relationships that come out of it. Art is a way of connecting people to each other, to the world, to the feelings and thoughts that we all have, but sometimes can’t express on our own.”

Jack: “Exactly. It’s the shared experience that gives art its power. It allows us to step outside of ourselves and into the world of someone else, to see things from a different perspective. It’s a way of saying, ‘You’re not alone in this. We’re all in this together.’”

Host: The conversation comes to a gentle close, the weight of it still lingering in the air. The world outside continues, but inside, there’s a deep understanding that art, in all its forms, is about more than just self-expression — it’s about connection. It’s about inviting others into the process, allowing them to experience the world through our eyes and, in doing so, finding a shared humanity that transcends words.

Jeeny: “Maybe that’s the point of art — not just to express, but to connect, to invite others into the conversation.”

Jack: “Yeah, to create something that lives in the world, not just in the artist’s mind.”

Host: As the evening deepens, the city outside fades into the background, and in the quiet of the room, Jack and Jeeny share the quiet realization that art is not just a personal endeavor, but a universal language that binds us all. It’s a tool for connection, a means of sharing, and a way to invite others into the process of creation.