In The Space of Art

This are responses to questions based off of Mary Jane Jacob's "In the Space of Art"

1. What defines the “space in between” for Jacob and the artists Jacob is interested in?

In this article, Jacob and the artists she is interested in define the “space in between” as, “the space [artists] depend upon to make their art...that, in turn, allows viewers to enter this space of art for themselves.” The space in between brings artist and viewer together, resulting in an interactive environment in which neither party knows the outcome, but they both create it. The space in between is also a place for movement and spontaneity because of the unknown result.

2. Have you ever created, studied, seen or participated in a project that utilizes the “space in between”? Please describe what it was in detail, and how it worked with the space in between.

A few years ago, I went on a mission trip with my youth group to San Diego. Here, we did a lot for the community including recreating their community center. We also believed that we should bring with parties together, because we were not just there to construct, but to share and join together two completely separate groups. We created a project that utilizes the “space in between” that Jacob described. The project was creating a mural on one of the community center building’s walls. However, we got everybody to participate, and with so many people we obviously did not know what the outcome would be. This spontaneity was freeing and brought us all together because the final outcome was a combination of all of our subconscious creations. Jacob relates art and meditation in that in both practices, one must remove all expectations from their mind to experience the most pure and creative results. During this project, I experienced this connection. The project was calming in a way I had never felt; with so many people involved one might think it would be cluttered and hectic, and yet the unknown and collection of diverse people with different ideas developed into what Jacob described as “the space in between”.

3. What kind of mind-set does Jacob believe is required for creativity and experiencing the space in between?

Jacob describes a specific mind-set that is required for creativity and experiencing the space in between. To obtain this mind-set, the artist must be okay with the “mind of don’t know.” Jacob explains, “The ‘empty’ mind is the creative mind.” Because the mind is removed of all plans and expectations, it allows for the real creativity of the artist that lies in the subconscious to be presented in reality. When artists does not know the outcome, their creativity is challenged; they must adapt, change, and alter the project to accommodate any problems. Within this mindset, the artist is allowed to experience the space in between. Jacob describes this phenomenon; “Exploring the rich empty space of possibility that is the space of art requires open-mindedness...to participate in it to the fullest, we need to understand...that ‘when we emerge from nothing...we see it all as a fresh new creation.’”.

What does Jacob imply is the potential social impact of utilizing the space in between, the space of art? In other words, what does she suggest will happen to the ways in which we relate to other humans?

There are endless potential social impacts of utilizing the space in between and the space of art. Throughout her essay she explains how by bringing together art and viewer, people become connected and relate in a way that never existed. The viewer becomes an artist as he participates while the artist becomes the viewer as he is not the only creator. Relations between humans therefore change and both perceptions alter; Jacob explains John Dewey’s idea that the inner change that results from the experience of the space in between is, “ ‘far more efficacious than the change effected by reasoning, because it enters directly into attitude.’”

Because of the inevitable interaction between two parties that used to be so separated, much is learned by both artist and viewer. Jacob reflects on her own experiences and notes that, “something is always learned, exchanged, and gained when artists enter into such projects.” Through the conception of the space in between, the barrier between artist and viewer, professional and non-professional is eliminated. It has brought countless people together under shared ideas, experiences, and feelings. Yvonne Rand is quoted in Jacob’s essay saying, “when we are fully conscious and present in the moment, we can be in the field of energy shared with others.”