The Art of Expressionism

"A style of painting, music, or drama in which the artist or writer seeks to express emotional experience rather than impressions of the external world."

Have you ever seen a piece of art before that touched you in an emotional level? A painting that had your heart beating faster? That’s called Stendhal Syndrome or also known as Florence Syndrome. It’s a condition where an art piece, or object that causes immense emotions that include fainting, faster heartbeat, confusion and more.

I often wonder what we would be if we never had a form of expressing things. People express things through many ways such as art, writing, music, film, theater, dance, architecture and literacy. Some express it in more unhealthy ways but nonetheless we all express things. Through words, face expressions, actions, body language and many more. What if we never had any of those? How would we live?

Stendhal Syndrome came to be when a french writer named Stendhal experienced it while visiting Florence. He felt such strong emotions and feelings that caused him dizziness and hallucinations because he was overwhelmed by Italy’s beautiful artworks. Expression is truly beautiful. I can’t imagine a world without music, art, books, words, or opinions. Yes, you heard me—opinions. Some people aren’t mature enough to understand that opinions differ from person to person, and that’s okay. We need to respect everyone’s opinions and be open-minded. Opinions, after all, are just another way people express themselves. 

The Sick Child 1907, Edvard Munch

Now, imagine a world void of these forms of expression. Without art, literature, or any creative outlet, how would we convey our feelings, desires, and inner struggles? The absence of such expressions would not only suppress our ability to share and understand our experiences but also strip us of our ability to cultivate empathy and connection. Expression, in all of its forms, is significant for personal well-being. It allows us to explore, understand, and articulate the complex tapestry of human emotions.

I often wonder about this because without writing or drawing in my life, I might lose myself along the way. As someone who sought a space to express myself through words, I was elated to find a platform like Substack. However, after a month of being here, I’ve come across posts from people who are dissatisfied with publications focusing on youth, trends, or topics mainly related to America. 

It’s disheartening because, regardless of the subject, writers are simply expressing themselves. It’s disappointing when people—whether older or otherwise—wish things were different. Expression is expression. Art is art. To dismiss someone’s enjoyment of that is unfair.

Suddenly, it seems like being in America, or liking to write about it, is a crime. Or is it a crime to write from the UK? Why is it such a problem for people to express themselves in relation to a well-known country? Many have traveled to these places for better opportunities, and their stories and struggles are just as valid. Valid. 

I felt the need to bring this up because it frustrates and angers me. Many of you might have seen the notes I posted, but I feel it’s important to remind people that it’s not their place to judge someone for simply expressing.

People express themselves in different ways, often shaped by their past experiences. For example, childhood neglect made it hard for me to express emotions, so I turned to art. I used drawing to represent things I related to, things I wanted to talk about, or simply things I liked. As I grew older, I realized how essential reading and writing are for communication. I came to love both, and I began writing the same way I used to draw—about what interested me and what I liked.

Look at Helen Keller, an author and activist who was both blind and deaf. She had to feel signals with her hands in order to communicate and express. Or take Anne Frank, who wrote her experiences of the Holocaust in her diary. If she hadn’t expressed herself through writing, we wouldn’t have her documentation and the perspective of Holocaust victims that we were able to take from her diary.

Expression is crucial. Without it, who would we be? Expression is a form of art, and it’s a necessity.

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Here are two writings and movies that I believe you should explore. They might offer you a broader perspective on expression and provide you with new insights that could really get you thinking about expressionism.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby (Movie/book)- A memoir about his life after getting locked-in syndrome. He learns to communicate with his eye and he was able to write this memoir with some help.

“The true story of Elle editor Jean-Dominique Bauby who suffers a stroke and has to live with an almost totally paralyzed body; only his left eye isn't paralyzed.”

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The Color Purple by Alice Walker (Movie/book)- “An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing "Mister" Albert Johnson (Danny Glover), things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa. Based on the novel by Alice Walker.”