One of the ideas that I (and philosophers for hundreds of years) have been exploring is the connection between art and play. Psychologists are newer to this discussion and have some interesting perspectives to offer.
For example, Abraham Maslow wrote, " Almost all creativity involves purposeful play."
When I paint with watercolors, I am watching what emerges as the colors bleed into one another. I'm trying one combination and then switching things up and trying another. There is an experimental quality that feels very much like play to me.
Play also typically involves engaging with the non-literal and I do the same as I interpret the world around me.
And play is something where the process is more important than the outcome. For example, no one evaluates how well you played doll house and even games like tag are more about the actions that the outcomes. This is where I think that art diverges a bit. Sometimes it's all about process, but sometimes the outcome does matter to me. At these times, my creative work feels less playful.
These are just a few of my initial thoughts about art and play. What do you think? Is art play? Is play art? Where do they overlap and diverge?