Why art
When Neo woke up in a crucible of viscous fluid with pipes sticking out of him, we the audiece gasped at the idea that human bodies were merely rechargeable batteries for a machine. That thought was repulsive. We knew that we are more than elaborate batteries.
It is this "more than" feeling that shines a light on why we are here and what we are supposed to do. You will have your own interpretation of it and so will I.
Being around a culture of "more than" takes us on a path to fulfillment and happiness. The more paved the path, the more fulfillment and happiness to be had.
The culture where the artist-spectator relationship is ongoing, disruptive at times, volatile maybe, and generally vibrant is a culture for me. Experimentation becomes welcome. Skill is holy. Things seem possible. Mistakes are stepping stones.
This culture is a magical place where even the most mundane cubicle warrior such as me could get inspired enough to start and continue exploring arts making mistakes along the way.
Anything else would have felt like laying in a crucible of viscous fluid with pipes sticking out of my body feeding renewable energy to an unknown machine.