Mental Illness : A Creative Inspiration?
“The Scream” by Edvard Munch portrays the panic of being frightened and full of anxiety, and many people with mental illness will recognize the feelings of isolation, loneliness and despair in the face of the woman.
"One must have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star”
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
Does suffering and emotional instability fuel artistic inspiration?
Creativity is often defined as the ability to generate unique and valuable ideas or solutions. Mental illness, on the other hand, refers to a wide range of conditions that affect a person's thinking, mood, and behavior. The connection between creativity and mental illness has been a topic of interest among researchers and scholars. While creativity is often associated with traits such as innovation and originality, there is also evidence suggesting a link between certain mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, and heightened creative abilities.
It is important to remember that chronic conditions of mental illness are more destructive than creative, but there are few instances and stereotypes that artists tend to be more depressive or suffer from mood swings. There is a certain romanticization of the "tortured artist" in today's world, especially on social media where the struggles and emotional distress of artists are showcased, leading to an idealized image of creativity being born out of mental suffering. This romanticization oversimplifies the complexities of mental illness and disregards the importance of seeking proper treatment and support for individuals experiencing such conditions.
Friedrich Nietzsche: A Philosopher's Struggle
Nietzsche, a renowned German philosopher, suffered from migraines since he was nine years old, with severe, recurrent, and localized visual problems. He was blind in the right eye by 1878 and had depressive symptoms with suicidal ideas in 1882.His final breakdown occurred in Turin in 1889, with various versions involving a horse flogging incident. He was diagnosed with quaternary neurosyphilis, a general paresis of the insane, and for a decade remained in a bedridden vegetative state. He suffered strokes, impaired speech, facial paresis, and left-sided hemiplegia. Despite his physical conditions, it is predicted, that the diagnosis of his mental condition was bipolar affective disorder, which began in early adulthood and continued throughout his creative life, especially the time of his creative journey. The varied mood shifts allowed him to see things from different perspectives and may have inspired his writings with passion.
Friedrich Nietzsche had a very complex and unique perspective on madness; which was closely related to his views on art, greatness, and creativity. He viewed madness not as a purely negative or pathological concept but rather as a potentially transformative force that could help individuals break free from social norms and conventions and embrace their true nature. Nietzsche connected madness to his philosophy through the Greek god Dionysus, who symbolizes creativity and chaos. He believed that by embracing Dionysian impulses, we could break free from rational constraints and access a deeper level of creativity. Madness, according to Nietzsche, was a form of Dionysian ecstasy, allowing individuals to transcend their everyday selves and access a primal, intuitive level of consciousness. Madness was not a sickness but the freedom from rationality. However, Nietzsche also recognized that madness could be dangerous and destructive if it was not properly channeled and integrated into one’s life.
Sylvia Plath: The Troubled Mind Behind the Pen
Sylvia Plath was diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder. Sylvia's diagnosis was influenced by various factors, including her father's death; difficult relationship with her mother; societal pressure as a woman in the 1950s who is trying to be a successful professional, a dedicated mother and spouse, and a housewife; and her history of self-harm. Her mental health was at an all-time low in the early 1960s; she was divorced and left alone with two children. Her 1963 book, The Bell Jar, was disregarded by the writing community. The fact that her hard work went unacknowledged was the final straw for her, especially since that book mirrored a lot of her own struggles with depression. Her severe depressive episodes began six months before her death, causing anxiety and suicidal thoughts. She was found dead in her home on February 11, 1963, after inhaling gas from her oven.
Sylvia Plath’s poetry was her unique way of trying to show others “what it is like to be alive in this body-mind." Sylvia Plath's poetry, particularly her collection Ariel, published posthumously, significantly influenced 20th-century literature. Her powerful yet simple words often created heart-wrenching imagery, while also addressing her own mental health struggles. The collection features three poems, "Lady Lazarus," "Cut," and "Daddy," provided a raw and unfiltered glimpse into Plath's inner turmoil. Exploring these poems offers a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between creativity and mental illness in Plath's work.
Vincent Van Gogh: The Passionate Artist, Tormented Soul
Vincent Van Gogh, celebrated for his vibrant artistic style, faced numerous mental health issues throughout his life, including depression and recurrent psychotic episodes. He eventually committed suicide at 37. Van Gogh also experienced two episodes of bipolar depression, which were accompanied by periods of high energy and enthusiasm, particularly as an artist. One of the most well-known incidents in Van Gogh's life was when he famously cut off a part of his own ear during a heated argument with fellow artist Paul Gauguin. The event symbolizes Van Gogh's inner turmoil and mental instability, highlighting the intricate link between mental illness and artistic genius, yet his distinctive artistic vision continues to captivate audiences today.
Vincent Van Gogh's unconventional thought patterns and perspectives influenced his artistic expression, allowing him to channel his inner struggles into deeply emotional and thought-provoking pieces. His bold colors and dramatic brushstrokes conveyed his personal struggles and captured the essence of human emotions, making his paintings timeless and universally relatable. Famous works like "Starry Night", "Almond Blossoms", and "Sunflowers" continue to inspire and fascinate audiences worldwide.
Conclusion
The works of artists like Friedrich Nietzsche, Sylvia Plath, and Vincent Van Gogh showcase how their mental health issues inspired them to create thought-provoking art. Though there are cases where mental illness may enhance creativity, it is important to acknowledge instances where it can hinder artistic abilities.
Salvador Dali, a renowned surrealist artist, suffered a decline in his art quality due to deteriorating mental health, leading to episodes of depression and paranoia. This resulted in repetitive and lackluster paintings, limiting his creativity and pushing boundaries in his artistic expression.
Edgar Degas, an impressionist known for his unique perspective and fleeting moments, also experienced depression and aimlessness in the 1880s. His mental illness impacted his artistic growth and innovation, as evidenced by his letter expressing his feelings of "blocked, impotent, I've lost the thread."
Mental illness may coexist with creativity, but it should not be romanticized or glorified as it can hinder an artist's true potential. Some researchers argue that the link between creativity and mental illness may be exaggerated, and mental illness is not a prerequisite for creativity. Mental health struggles may affect some creative individuals, but it can also negatively impact their ability to create and function effectively. These arguments highlight the complexity of the relationship between creativity and mental illness and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.
References
https://hbr.org/2015/11/the-dark-side-of-creativity
https://medium.com/nietzsches-philosophy/nietzsche-why-madness-is-valuable-de4feca2c632
https://hekint.org/2020/08/11/friedrich-nietzsche-much-afflicted-philosopher/
https://philosophybreak.com/articles/friedrich-nietzsches-life-insanity-and-legacy/
https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.159.4.519
https://www.sciencealert.com/childhood-adversity-linked-to-intense-creative-process
https://www.thecollector.com/sylvia-plath-famous-poet/
About the Author:
Drishti Haldia
Member, PsyCreative Column,
MSc. Applied Psychology (sem-1)
Psychology committee, SDSOS, NMIMS.
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