The Importance and Power Of Imagination To An Artist

I enjoy watching the PBS show, Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. I recently saw an episode (“On Broadway”, Season 7, Episode 9) featuring renowned actor and singer, Mandy Patinkin. It was a very emotional show, both for Patinkin and viewers alike as the story of his family was revealed and Patinkin learned for the first time of family members lost in the Holocaust. I was struck by the emotion and power of his family’s story but also by his comments in response to what he learned. Patinkin’s comments gave us a glimpse into the significance, the importance and the power of imagination in his life as an artist. This is something that all artists of any type can draw on and learn from.

Patinkin’s comments weren’t centered on imagination, they were about his reactions and feelings concerning what he was learning about his family. However, the comments reveal that the ability to imagine is the framework, the lens, through which he embodies and processes his feelings. The same holds true for all of us in our artistic endeavors. Simple statements but profound messages.

“I live in my imagination.”
“My job is to imagine. That is my profession.”

— Mandy Patinkin

Living In Your Imagination

Patinkin’s first comment was a result of Gates asking what it was like to learn about his great-great-grandfather and his ancestral hometown. Patinkin responded, “It’s a warm feeling. It’s a good feeling. Because I live in my imagination, I will take it with me and imagine having known them or their lives.” Only Patinkin can tell us exactly what he meant about living in his imagination. However, I interpret that to reflect a desire to think and therefore act in our relationships in a manner consistent with how we want our relationships to progress.

Sports psychologists tell athletes to visualize their efforts before they actually do them. You’ll see, for example, an athlete standing silently with their eyes closed going through the motions they will soon make for real.  Visualization is the process of creating a mental image of what you want to happen in reality. The theory is that if you can visualize something, it increases the likelihood you will do it as you visualized it. Visualization is another word for imagination.

It’s not easy to be an artist, whether you’re an actor, a painter, a writer, or a photographer. We are putting our efforts on display for the world to see, and to judge. Am I good enough? Am I skilled enough? Will I succeed? One thing is certain. We will never know the answers if we don’t put ourselves out there and try. It takes courage. Especially when we fail. We have to have the courage to try again. We have to believe. A good part of believing is having the audacity to imagine ourselves as an artist. So yes, you do have to live in your imagination if you want to be an artist.

Your Job To Imagine

Patinkin’s comment about it being his job to imagine was in response to Gates’ query “Who could have imagined the Holocaust? You know in your worst imagination, you know? But yet, the holocaust happened.” Patinkin expressed how unfathomable it was by saying “Yeah. My job is to imagine. That is my profession. I have never been able to get a hold of that.” He recognizes that even as someone who imagines for a living, he couldn’t come to grips with the concept of it. Despite knowing the importance and power of imagination, the Holocaust is just too horrible to be imagined.

The responsibility of imagination that comes with being an artist is to see the world in ways that others do not or cannot readily see on their own. After all, if they can do it for themselves what do they need us for? As artists we should present a new way at looking at something so others cans see new aspects and meaning and to feel something through our art.

Although there can be creativity in photo-journalism, it is tightly limited and controlled by rules and professional standards. Conversely, photographic art is completely unconstrained. As artists we can do whatever we feel is needed with the photo. We can be as creative as we want to be. It’s this emphasis on creativity that distinguishes photographic art from photo-journalism.

You can’t be creative without imagination. They’re synonymous. So, Patinkin is right, if you consider yourself an artist, you’re in the imagination biz. Imagination is your profession. That’s what you’re selling. And, that’s why you need to understand the importance and power of imagination to your art.

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