Podcast Summary: TED Talks Daily - "Why You Should Make a Spectacle Out of Life with Lear deBessonet | How to Be a Better Human"

Introduction In this engaging episode of How to Be a Better Human, host Ryan Reynolds delves into the transformative power of spectacle and the arts with award-winning theater director Lear deBessonet. Released on December 28, 2024, the conversation explores how incorporating spectacle into everyday life can enhance personal well-being, foster community, and bridge the gap between amateur and professional artistry.

The Concept of Spectacle in Everyday Life Lear deBessonet begins by defining spectacle as a multifaceted sensory experience that brings people together. Drawing from her childhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lear highlights how events like Mardi Gras and LSU football games are quintessential spectacles that engage multiple senses and foster communal participation.

Lear deBessonet [04:05]: "When I was 8 years old... I became a theater director with the belief that these spectacles were more than just fun, that something profound was happening when our community came together in the realm of the imagination."

Debunking the Amateur vs. Professional Dichotomy A significant portion of the discussion focuses on dismantling the perceived divide between amateur and professional artists. Lear emphasizes that the essence of artistry lies in the love for creation, regardless of one's professional status.

Lear deBessonet [05:51]: "Being an artist is about the love of humanity. It's about the love of the human experience... It's all art and it's all human."

She challenges the notion that art is exclusive to those who earn their livelihood through it, advocating for a more inclusive understanding where everyone can partake in artistic expression.

The Power of Arts in Community and Personal Development Lear passionately discusses how the arts serve as a conduit for personal growth and community bonding. She underscores that art isn't solely for moments of joy but also a companion through life's challenges, providing solace and a sense of shared experience.

Lear deBessonet [07:17]: "Feeling alone in those feelings... art reminds us that we're not alone in that experience."

Drawing from the collective experience during the pandemic, Lear illustrates how engagement with the arts helped individuals navigate through isolation and adversity by fostering connections and mutual understanding.

Programs Highlighted: Public Works and One Nation, One Project Lear elaborates on two of her flagship programs—Public Works and One Nation, One Project—which exemplify her vision of integrating spectacle into community life.

1. Public Works

   • Overview: Founded at the Public Theater in New York, Public Works orchestrates large-scale community theater productions involving around 200 participants, including local residents and Broadway stars.

   • Logistics and Execution: Lear likens the scheduling of these productions to an Olympic-level endeavor, balancing structured planning with creative chaos to facilitate seamless collaboration.

   • Quote:

     Lear deBessonet [15:07]: "There is no better example to me of the meeting of order and chaos than like a public work show."

2. One Nation, One Project

   • Overview: Launched as a nationwide campaign, this initiative unites 18 cities across the United States to create unique public art projects that reflect local culture and promote mental and physical well-being.

   • Impact Measurement: Collaborating with researchers, Lear emphasizes the profound effects these projects have on community health, including improvements in mobility, recovery rates, and educational outcomes.

   • Quote:

     Lear deBessonet [33:49]: "If we really knew that, wouldn't we advocate for more people to have access to the arts in a regular way?"

The Creative Process and Emotional Journey A pivotal topic in the episode is the emotional trajectory of the creative process, which Lear describes as a 'U-shaped' journey. This model encapsulates the initial excitement, followed by a descent into despair, and culminating in fulfillment upon the project's completion.

Lear deBessonet [22:15]: "The creative process functions like a U, which is... at the start of a process, you're on a bit of a high... then you start a descent into a point of real despair... and by the end, you're back on that high, an even greater high."

Lear relates this experience to her own work in theater, highlighting the shared vulnerability and resilience that artists encounter during creation. She underscores the importance of perseverance and collective support in overcoming creative blocks.

Measurable Impact of Arts on Health The conversation transitions to the tangible benefits of artistic engagement on health. Lear cites extensive research, including 3,000 studies reviewed by the World Health Organization, which affirm the positive correlation between the arts and both mental and physical health.

Lear deBessonet [30:48]: "There is a mind-body connection... dancing might have some physical effects... singing in a choir... it's worth representing in art, that are worth representing in art."

This evidence-driven approach reinforces her advocacy for integrating the arts into community resources, arguing that widespread access to the arts can lead to significant societal benefits.

Anecdotal Example: Transformative Power of Theater One of the most moving segments features Lear recounting the story of a participant in a Don Quixote production at a homeless shelter in Philadelphia. This individual, battling severe health issues, found renewed strength and purpose through his involvement in the performance, ultimately contributing to his recovery and sense of belonging.

Lear deBessonet [34:01]: "He said, 'I'm ready to perform,' and he went on... He wanted it to be complete."

This narrative exemplifies the profound personal transformations that can occur when individuals are empowered to participate in collective artistic endeavors.

Conclusion The episode concludes with a heartfelt exchange, emphasizing the universal human need for spectacle and artistic engagement. Lear deBessonet's insights illuminate the multifaceted role of the arts in enriching lives, fostering community, and enhancing well-being. Her work serves as a compelling testament to the belief that making a spectacle out of life is not only possible but essential for a more connected and vibrant society.

Notable Quotes:

• Lear deBessonet [04:05]: "These spectacles were more than just fun, that something profound was happening when our community came together in the realm of the imagination."

• Lear deBessonet [05:51]: "Being an artist is about the love of humanity. It's about the love of the human experience."

• Lear deBessonet [07:17]: "Art reminds us that we're not alone in that experience."

• Lear deBessonet [15:07]: "There is no better example to me of the meeting of order and chaos than like a public work show."

• Lear deBessonet [22:15]: "The creative process functions like a U... you start trying and then you start, like, not feeling good about what you're doing, and you gotta push through that to get to the other side of it."

• Lear deBessonet [30:48]: "There is a mind-body connection... it's worth representing in art."

• Lear deBessonet [34:01]: "He said, 'I'm ready to perform,' and he went on... He wanted it to be complete."

Final Thoughts This episode serves as an inspiring exploration of how embracing spectacle and the arts can lead to personal empowerment and community cohesion. Lear deBessonet's experiences and philosophies offer valuable lessons on the importance of creativity, resilience, and collective engagement in building a better human experience.