Reflection:
Making Sense of the World:
Existentialism in Arts and Psychology
Considering various perspectives, there are many ways upon Existentialism can manifest
its influence on the field of Arts and Psychology.
Existentialism is the philosophical theory which searches for meaning and emphasizes the
existence of an individual as being free-willed and responsible in making his/her life meaningful
and purposeful in a meaningless world. Jean Paul Sartre with his literary and philosophical works,
along with his associates was responsible for its cultural movement that thrived Europe in 1940s
and 1950s. Therefore, it is a literary phenomenon and related to arts from the very first place.
Existentialism in the field of Arts particularly in Visual Arts can be seen through the
Expressionism arts style or type of paintings. Looking at the time frame from which this movement
flourished was almost coinciding as the time being of the emergence and prominence of major
works and artworks of famous expressionists with the term became known and commonly used in
in 1910s in Germany. One way or another, Existentialism is indeed linked to Expressionism as
the latter free itself from the constraints of the traditions. Feelings are more valued in
Expressionism, so to speak with its bold, exotic subject qualities, heavy brush strokes and
exaggerated nature from its form, color, line, shape, space, value and texture. Scrutinizing some
works of Jackson Pollock, an abstract expressionist, the different color values of his works like the
Autumn Rhythm, The Moon Woman and Circumcision, to give a few, give authentic feelings of
depth. More texture can be seen in his paintings created by layers of paint splashes that add
complexity and true feeling. What I like most about these works is that these give open spaces to
ponder on and let the viewer to freely respond and give a meaning to the artwork itself. Any
analysis is neither correct nor wrong interpretation.
Aside from the Arts, Existentialism had noticeable impact on another discipline in Social
Science which deals about human behavior and the mental processes of the mind. That is
Psychology, particularly, its subfield Existential Psychology that puts forth an emphasis on the
concepts relating to existence like death, freedom, responsibility and meaning of life.
Existentialism, being a philosophical concept is obviously related to Psychology since the latter
coincide with the principles of Philosophy dating back from the time of the notable Greek thinkers
and philosophers. Therapeutic movement called existential psychotherapy, on the other hand, was
created on the basis of Existentialism which escapes from the norm or belief that psychological
disorder is a result of biological imbalances that should be treated by pharmaceuticals and
medications. Human conditions such as having an existential crisis and dilemma falls under the
influence of existentialism on the study of human behaviour and the mind. Through existential
perspective in Psychology, there is a focus on the first person lived experience on how we link to
the world and to others. Abstractions and Constructs such as isolation, perception of death, intrinsic
and extrinsic motivation, internal and external locus of control is influence by the existential
approach in Psychology. For instance, Sigmund Freud, who was the founder of Psychoanalysis as
a school of thought in Psychology, established the unconscious mind where desires, trauma, hidden
and threatening urges are repressed which we are unaware of. The view of human nature that man
is said to be in conflict of his pleasure or life instinct and his death and destructive instinct make
the forces of balance and existence as a major challenge.
Up to this contemporary times, Existentialism holds its influence in the different forms of
art and themes of cinema or in film or in literature. People embody the doctrine behind
Existentialism each and every time we ask ourselves about “why I am here?” or “what is my
purpose” or “why do I exist?” or To whom or what for do I exist?”. It reminds us that we are born
to create our own consciousness in life and we can be whatever we want and do whatever we want
with the unsurmountable freedom that we have. It is in our hands to live life meaningfully and is
ours to create our path on our own in a meaningless and absurd world. We are defined by our own
actions. Existentialism believes that there should be no guidelines to live authentically. We have
to act based on their true selves rather than being constrained and fixated from the pressures and
rules that are being taught and shaped by the society we live in. It encourages us to assign meaning
to our own lives.
Existentialism in its basic, yet, fundamental essence of ‘existence’ had enormous and
significant influence in the field of Arts and Psychology. Arts is a state of being and itself is a
self-discovery. Who would not want to have an escape once a little while and just go with the flow
of merely existing? Existentialism evoke feelings of finding our purpose in life and to direct
ourselves to do the things that will allow us to find the world meaningful and worthy of living.