A standing ovation at a theater, the roar at a concert, the contemplation at an art gallery, the magic of togetherness with art. Collective creative experiences were majorly affected by the 2020 requirements around social distancing. And they are sorely missed. A client described the feeling of being at a concert as a collective effervescence. That phrase, collective effervescence, has stuck with me. It eloquently captures that tangible feeling in the air, when witnessing the magic of live performance together. The humanity of it all.
Perhaps you’ve experienced this in participating in the Women’s March, marching with millions of people throughout the world on the same day for a cause you all believed in. Or perhaps in the final song of a concert, when the crowd feels bonded by the moment and sings in unison to close out a magical night of togetherness with a beloved musician. Running into the streets to celebrate your team winning the World Series. Or perhaps more intimate settings, like standing next to a stranger in an art museum, both silently taking in the wonder of a work of art. Or the crowd that gathers in the city street as a street musician plays, and the collective of strangers connects for a few minutes of togetherness in music.
This vitality, this collective experience of awe, is something that felt harder to come by this year. And it’s what struck me as I watched these three videos over the past few months, that I’d love to offer to you.
Collective Experiences
SUNY Buffalo psychologist Shira Gabriel’s research points to how effervescent experiences fill the human need for a sense of belonging. Whereas psychology research more often points to home relationships in families, couples and smaller groups, this research underlines how important collective experiences are to wellbeing. Gatherings such as ancient pilgrimages, feasts, modern sports, concerts and gathering all lead to happier, more connected and meaningful lives.
This connects to research I recently read around the importance of psychological richness. University of Virginia’s Shigehiro Oishi published a paper this summer titled “Happiness, Meaning and Psychological Richness” which examines psychological richness as a dimension of a good life. Psychological richness is characterized by a sense of variety, novelty and interest. I don’t know about you, but those three words don’t exactly describe my life in 2020. Variety, novelty and interest. Those words feel incredibly evasive in our world today.
These concepts connect to the concept of self-transcendence in psychology. Self-transcendence is about rising above and relating to something greater than yourself. It is the realization that you are connected to a greater whole. If we go back to the idea of collective experiences and the magic of being in a powerful moment of vitality with other people, self-transcendence pops up there.
At a time when we’re all at home and large gatherings aren’t allowed, how might we tap into this self-transcendence that we access so easily among like-minded strangers when sharing an experience? It’s easy to think, with theaters closed and concerts postponed, that we have to wait to experience this magic of togetherness. This is what struck me as I watched the three videos I’ve shared with you below.
Here’s the thing: creativity and art are still happening. Yes, theaters sit vacant, but artists are resourceful and they’re adapting to connect with others in new ways. You get to be a part of that.
One access point to self-transcendence and collective experience is awe.
Accessing Awe
Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and NYU professor, writes that “awe is the emotion of self-transcendence.” I have to agree.
Awe is the feeling you have when in the presence of something vast, that both challenges your view of the world and amazes you. It can be found in the everyday – a beautiful sunset, seeing a random act of kindness, or watching the little baby owls in your tree. And it’s found in profound moments, like taking in the view at the top of a big hike, or seeing a loved one hold your baby for the first time.
While the pandemic means that many of us are living with different rules, where travel, activities, and leaving the house are less accessible and we combat social isolation, awe is a feeling that can be accessed both out in the world, and in your home. Exercises like Picture of Awe, where you photograph instances in nature on a walk, Memories of Awe, where you recall and reflect on past experiences of awe, or Videos of Awe, where you watch awe-inspiring videos, are accessible access points you might consider at home.
In particular, I’ve linked three videos below that inspire a sense of awe for me. I invite you to find an uninterrupted moment, turn up the volume on your computer and hit play on one of these videos. Let yourself get absorbed in the art, and dip into your feelings of awe, appreciation and transcendence as you take part in witnessing these expressions of creativity.
3 Videos to Watch for Awe
These videos fill me with an overwhelming sense of hope that people are still doing what they love. I am amazed by the artists’ adaptability, and fierce dedication to performing, and expression. And I’m brought to tears by the sense of connection to humanity I feel as I watch these fellow humans perform wearing masks. These performances pull me into a sense of profound appreciation for people, and a sense of awe for the creativity that is possible in such overwhelming times.
Parked
Performed against the physical backdrop of social distancing, it feels particularly poignant and representative of the moment we are in. Dancers perform in an empty parking lot, in the center of a ring of cars. Their stage is created by the glow of car headlights, creating both a wildly intimate feel, and yet expansive all in one. It is truly art created of, and for this moment in time.
‘And We Will Come Back Home’
Dancers from London’s West End theatre productions dance in the empty streets outside theaters, with the repeated refrain of the Greatest Showman’s “and we will come back home.” Wow this one gets me. I’m sure partially because I used to live in London, and have so many memories on these streets with loved ones. This video feels like a vow these dancers are making to us. They will be back, we will be back.
Waltz of the Snowflakes
Growing up dancing ballet I have been in dozens of productions of The Nutcracker, and sometimes it can feel like The Nutcracker isn’t the most compelling ballet after so many times performing it. This video brought the magic to this ballet, and I was so moved by this performance. Filmed in Alameda, CA, on a concrete stage with donuts left by tires, these ballerinas provide an inspiring performance that feels more accessible and freeing to watch than a theater can offer. The filming style embraces this medium and offers stunning aerial shots and views of dancers you simply can’t have sitting so far from them in theater. Turn up the volume and take in this magical performance.
I’m amazed by the art being created, and how resourceful people are to perform and inspire in this time. It feels like this time is challenging us to be creative, and connect in new ways. Videos like these challenge how we traditionally think of performance. They get to the basics of the art form, to a central focus on wonder, joy, and expression.
People are resilient, art is resilient. While our connection to others and to the arts and collective experiences is different this year, let’s be open to what it might be.
We’re about to celebrate the start of the new year, marking the end of 2020 and bringing in 2021. This is a moment that the whole world experiences, and marks. A collective experience wrapped in meaning and emotion. It’s also a holiday that many typically celebrate with others, at New Years Eve celebrations. Perhaps this is a time to experience together. To experience this moment felt globally, as part of being human. Happy New Years, everyone. May it be full of awe and connection.
