Ellen Dissanayake's Homo Aestheticus: A Brief Analysis

Art is said to be the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination. The various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance all produce work to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power. The arts have the ability to supply so much more than just beauty and emotional power. They have the capacity to create community and special memories all throughout their process of becoming a final product. Sara Ashley Davies grew up participating in the work of creating communities and memories, and being part of the processes that make those things happen. Mrs. Davies has been singing since she was five years old. Taught by her mother, Davies learned to both sing and play the piano. Her love of singing started …show more content…
Dissanayake 's idea of “making things special” helps to promote social inclusion, and prevents isolation and loneliness. She believes that art evolved to make events important for survival more memorable and enjoyable (Homo Aestheticus Summary). Mrs. Davies ' work performing at dinner theatres is one example of how art is a form of “making things special”. “The show adds to the whole experience. You can go out to eat at a regular restaurant any day of the week, but when you eat at a dinner theatre you are making memories and creating special moments” (Davies). Just the aspect of watching a show while eating dinner makes the action of simply eating a meal more special and more memorable. The performance as a whole adds an entirely new layer to the experience of siting down to eat a meal. “Its taking a, for the most part, mundane everyday activity and making it into something important and meaningful” (Davies). All art, whether is be dance, music, or painting, should be done with the goal of making it memorable and having meaning to