I recently finished my third watch-through of Attack on Titan, and I am thoroughly convinced that it is a show that should be dissected and studied on the same level as any Shakespearian play. While there are many metaphors and themes that can be extracted from the show, it was this last watch-through that the theme of consumption stood out to me. While most people feared being consumed by the Titans, there were a select few who were completely fascinated by the Titans to the point of wanting to be consumed by them. I couldn’t help but draw a parallel between that desire to be consumed by a titan and an artist’s desire to have their work consumed by others.
Having recently helped a friend publish her first poetry book, I was able to reflect on this parallel. Artists create for many different reasons. Some create for vanity, some create for money, and others may create as therapy. But no matter the reason, nearly every artist wants their work to be consumed by others. Art is one of the few places in society where a person can fully expose their vulnerabilities and feel comfortable in doing so. But as in life, many artist do not want to be lonely in their art. They crave the euphoric feeling that comes from a person consuming their vulnerabilities.
But since connection comes through consumption, it can be hard to balance the need for connection with the desire not to create to please others. It can be tempting to sacrifice authenticity for the dopamine hit that comes with quick and cheap connections.
While the need for consumption can sometimes seem like a trap, it is also one of the most powerful forces driving an artist. When an artist knows that their work might be seen, felt, and understood by others, it motivates them. It pushes them to refine their craft, explore deeper layers of their emotions, and articulate truths that may resonate with more people.
This desire for consumption and connection is not inherently selfish—it’s human! When someone consumes an artist’s work and finds a piece of themselves within it, it validates the artist’s journey. This exchange, where the creator’s vulnerability meets the audience’s interpretation, becomes the high that the artist chases. It is the heart of art itself!
Moreover, this need for consumption can fuel innovation. Artists often push boundaries that will challenge themselves and captivate others. They experiment with new mediums, styles, and ideas, all driven by the hope that their work will resonate once more with an audience eager to consume it. This naturally compels an artist to take risks and evolve, and in turn, this creates a feedback loop.
This may be why I make such a conscious effort to gorge myself on the work of artists whose art I enjoy. Truth be told, it’s mostly out of pure selfishness. If I want them to create more work for me to enjoy, then I must consume the work they have already created.
Abnormal Titan
The overwhelming desire to be devoured
Exist in every artist
The idea of foreign hands
Caressing every curve of the artist’s body of work
Gives way to the voyeuristic appeal of
Thousands eyes peering at
every vulnerability splashed across a blank canvas
The need
To be felt
To be understood
To be consumed
Are Rumblings deep within
That can’t be soothed with reason