Interpretation

Interpretation is a powerful skill that everyone has. We can either interpret things for the good or for the bad. But whatever we interpret, there must be balance. We cannot interpret everything as good and we cannot interpret everything as good. We must find a way to be real with ourselves and to be real to others.

In chapter three of The Artisan Soul by Erwin Raphael McManus, he discusses in depth what interpretation actually is. He believes that interpretation is more powerful than truth in a sense. Why? Because our interpretation of certain things can shape our views and thoughts; it can change what we believe or our view of the truth.

This is relevant especially in art. How do we interpret different forms of art? As for McManus, his favorite form of art to interpret are movies/films. It takes an amazing amount of skill and talent to create a great movie, and many of the great directors sometimes leave parts of their film open for interpretation.

As for me, I think that my favorite form of art to interpret would probably be through music. I love interpreting different messages in music, and try to relate to the emotions and stories that the artists are trying to display or communicate. Even if we have not lived those exact stories through our lives as the artists, it helps give us a sense of where they are coming from.

For example, I am a huge fan of classic hip-hop and rap. I have many friends who are not... they cannot relate to the songs because they can be explicit or it's simply not their type of music. Yet, I always find interest in how these artists tell their stories through their songs... many can be sad or represent struggles in life. Some of these stories I can relate with since I grew up in the ghetto as a child and have been through some of the same personal struggles... other songs, I do not relate with so much, yet I'm curious to hear the story. I want to hear virtual poetry in the making.

Even in our faith, we all have a choice... we have a choice to interpret certain ideals, faiths and pieces of scripture themselves. We look into what they mean and interpret them differently. We let these interpretations and our ideas of truth define what we believe.

Before, I never really gave this idea much thought, but it is something interesting to ponder. Interpretation is one of the most powerful tools you can have. It's part of the creative process and the Artisan Soul.

"When our interpretation of life is informed by the best of human emotions, when we are informed by love and hope and faith, it changes the way we see everything." (McManus, p. 90).