As long as I can remember I have found it almost
impossible to relieve my inner frustrations and anguish
with the help of screaming.
As far as coping strategies goes, screaming according to
those in the know, can at times be quite useful.
Apparently screaming can lower our cortisol levels
which when we experience stress, frustration and or anxiety
are raised. Screaming, so they say, much like when
we exercise, releases endorphins(our own bodies feel-good chemicals)
which brings down the cortisol levels which in turn
provides us with a temporary sense of relief.
There are many different reasons as to why we scream:
Such as to express anger, rage, fear and pain but also
to express pleasure, joy and sadness/grief.
We also scream as a collective at sporting events, concerts
and protests which often can be experienced as a form
of bonding with others.
Most experts view screaming as an innate human
behaviour. I mean, we do come in to the world screaming
but our individual life-experiences also influence
the why, how and when of our ''screaming behaviours''
in congruity with our individual sensitivities.
For years I've pondered why I find it so hard to scream
even when I am experiencing really strong emotions.
Then suddenly one day I realized that I do scream
but I don't do so vocally.
I scream through the medium of art.
I scream on the canvas, I scream through music
by playing, composing or listening to it.
I scream through expressing it with the written word,
or watching films, videos and documentaries.
sculpture, installations, etc. etc. artists have been ''screaming''
through their art ever since the inception of it.
Though most of our communication is done by the
use of the spoken word, in my view, sometimes words just aren't
safe or enough to convey complex and powerful emotions.
In such situations it may be more helpful to go
for some hectic exercise, put on some loud music,
watch an action movie, throw some eggs on a wall,
translate one's internal(intangible) emotions into
something tangible: gardening, painting, cleaning,
etc. etc. etc.
Or, find a safe space where you can scream your lungs
out without it interfering, hurting or disturbing anybody
else.
Though I still do most of my screaming through art
I have found that on the odd occasion when I need
to express myself vocally, I hop in my car and go for a drive.
Park somewhere where there's nobody around and
just ''let it rip''.
''No art is silent! Because art is an original idea
and every original idea speaks, every
interesting thought screams, every art talks,
every art screams!
No art is silent!''
(Mehmet Murat Ildan)
about the images: top: Photo, left: mixed media,
mixed media, middle: graphite.
bottom: mixed media
