Bending the Rules is Art as much as Art is Bending the Rules

What do Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Banksy have in common? They are all artists who bent the rules in their work, creating new forms of expression and representation that defy expectations and provoke reactions. They are all examples of how bending the rules is an art in itself, and how it can lead to innovation, progress, freedom, and happiness.

But what are rules, and why do we need to bend them? Rules are everywhere. They govern our society, our morality, our behaviour, our relationships, our work, our play. They are meant to provide order, stability, fairness, and justice. They are meant to protect us from chaos, anarchy, corruption, and harm. But are they always right? Are they always necessary? Are they always beneficial?

Some people think that rules are sacred and inviolable. They follow them blindly and obediently, without questioning their validity or purpose. They believe that rules are the foundation of civilization and the source of authority. They fear the consequences of breaking them, or even tweaking them slightly. They are the rule-abiders.

Other people think that rules are flexible and negotiable. They challenge them creatively and strategically, looking for loopholes or exceptions. They believe that rules are the product of human invention and the subject of interpretation. They see the opportunities of tweaking them, or even breaking them occasionally. They are the rule-benders.

Who is right? Who is wrong? Who is better? Who is worse? These are not easy questions to answer, because rules are not black and white. They are complex and contextual. They have advantages and disadvantages. They have benefits and costs. They have supporters and opponents. They have history and evolution.

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The Art of Bending the Rules

Bending the rules is not a simple or straightforward act. It requires skill, intelligence, courage, and finesse. It requires knowing when to bend them, how to bend them, why to bend them, and who to bend them with. It requires understanding the nature of rules, their purpose, their function, their impact, and their limitations.

Bending the rules can be good or bad, depending on the situation and the intention. It can be a way of adapting to changing circumstances, finding creative solutions, expressing individuality, or pursuing justice. It can also be a way of exploiting loopholes, gaining unfair advantages, violating rights, or escaping accountability.

Bending the rules can have positive or negative consequences, depending on the outcome and the reaction. It can lead to success or failure, praise or criticism, reward or punishment, joy or regret.

Bending the rules is not for everyone. Some people prefer to follow the rules strictly and consistently. Some people prefer to break the rules openly and defiantly. Some people prefer to avoid the rules altogether and live in their own world.

But for those who dare to bend the rules occasionally and wisely, there is a thrill and a reward that cannot be matched by any other approach. There is a sense of adventure and discovery that comes from exploring the boundaries of possibility. There is a sense of satisfaction and achievement that comes from overcoming challenges and obstacles.

The Art of Bending Rules in Art

Art is one of the domains where bending rules is most evident and celebrated. Throughout history, artists have challenged the conventions and norms of their time, creating new styles, movements, and genres that have influenced generations of artists and audiences.

For example:

Leonardo da Vinci was a rule breaker in his paintings, using techniques such as sfumato (blurring the edges), chiaroscuro (contrasting light and dark), and perspective (creating depth) to create realistic and captivating portraits. Emily Dickinson was a rule breaker in her poetry, using unconventional punctuation, syntax, and rhyme to create expressive and original verses. Marie Curie was a rule breaker in her science, conducting groundbreaking research on radioactivity and becoming the first woman to win two Nobel Prizes. Frida Kahlo was a rule breaker in her paintings, depicting her personal and political struggles with honesty and courage. Orson Welles was a rule breaker in his films, using innovative techniques such as deep focus, non-linear narrative, and documentary style to create cinematic masterpieces. Aretha Franklin was a rule breaker in her music, blending gospel, soul, and pop to create powerful and influential songs.

Marcel Duchamp was a rule breaker in his art, challenging the definition and purpose of art by presenting everyday objects as ready-made sculptures. Jimi Hendrix was a rule breaker in his guitar playing, using feedback, distortion, and effects to create new sounds and styles.

These are just some examples of how artists have bent rules in their work, creating new forms of expression that defy expectations and provoke reactions.

The Art of Bending Rules in Life

Bending rules is not only an art in art, but also an art in life. It can enrich our lives and expand our horizons. It can also teach us valuable lessons about ourselves and others. It can make us more aware of our values and goals. It can make us more flexible and adaptable. It can make us more creative and resourceful. But bending rules is also an art that requires caution and responsibility. It can backfire or fail if done poorly or excessively. It can harm or offend if done selfishly or recklessly. It can alienate or isolate if done without respect or empathy. Bending rules is an art that demands balance and judgement. It is not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of context and consequence. It is not a matter of better or worse, but a matter of preference and personality. Bending rules is an art that invites curiosity and experimentation. It is not a fixed or static phenomenon, but a dynamic and evolving one. It is not a universal or absolute principle, but a personal and relative one. Bending rules is an art that challenges us to think critically and creatively about the world we live in and the world we want to create.

Winding up

Bending rules is an art that can transform your life and your work. It can help you avoid the mundane, the ordinary, the lackluster. It can help you escape the clunky, the cumbersome, the confusing. It can help you overcome the pesky, the stressful, the exhausting. It can help you achieve the extraordinary, the remarkable, the memorable. But bending rules is also an art that requires skill, caution, and responsibility. It can be risky, challenging, and controversial. It can be misunderstood, criticized, and punished. It can be harmful, offensive, and regrettable. So how do you bend rules wisely and effectively? How do you know which rules to bend and which ones to follow? How do you balance creativity and conformity, freedom and order, innovation and tradition? These are not easy questions to answer, because bending rules is not a simple or straightforward art. It is a complex and contextual one. It is a personal and relative one. It is a dynamic and evolving one. But if you are curious and courageous enough to try it, you might discover a new world of possibilities and opportunities. You might discover a new way of seeing and being. You might discover a new art of living. Are you ready to bend some rules? Are you ready to challenge some assumptions? Are you ready to create some change?

If so, then I have a challenge for you. Before you read my next article, I want you to pick one rule in your life or work that you think is limiting, unnecessary, or unfair, and bend it slightly. See what happens. See how you feel. See what you learn. But be careful. Don’t break the rule completely. Don’t harm yourself or others. Don’t do anything illegal or unethical. Just bend the rule enough to create some change, some difference, some improvement. Are you up for it? Are you ready to experiment with the art of bending rules? Are you ready to discover something new? If so, then go ahead and bend a rule today. And let me know how it goes in the comments below. I can’t wait to hear from you!

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Further reading: The Art of Breaking Rules: How Successful People Do Things Differently by Shane Snow The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World by Chris Guillebeau The Art of Thinking Clearly: Better Thinking, Better Decisions by Rolf Dobelli The Art of Choosing by Sheena Iyengar The Art of War by Sun Tzu