Show Up Fully, Dim Nothing

one artist's reflection on Bad Bunny, joy as resistance, and the power we hold

As an artist, I know the joy, the solace, the peace that can come with working on my craft. The purpose I find in sharing my art, my writing, my creative soul with the world is something that continues to surprise and inspire me. And most days, my studio practice and writing are literally what keep me hopeful, curious, grounded and allow me to connect with a bigger world than my daily routines and introvert self would naturally gravitate towards.

I think as artists we each approach our work for a variety of reasons. Some of us are here to share beauty, some of us are here to document truth, some are here to be amazing storytellers. Some of us, like Bad Bunny, are magically here for all of these PLUS a dash of unbridled joy, optimism and fun. This weekend’s Super Bowl performance was a brilliant reminder of the power of art and music to move, to connect, to inspire, to teach.

A newbie to his music, and a lapsed Spanish speaker, I understood very little of the words he sang, while feeling every bit of the story and emotion he conveyed. His performance was pure energy - a celebration that needed no translation. The joy was infectious, the cultural pride unmistakable, the connection with his audience electric.

Here was an artist who understands that art isn’t just about the words on a page or the lyrics in a song. It’s about the energy you bring, the authenticity you offer, the invitation you extend to others to feel something alongside you. Watching him move through the many sets and stages - I was struck by how his performance embodied resilience and defiance while wrapping it in energy, dance, infectious enthusiasm. He showed up ready to perform, ready to lead the party, all while carrying a refusal to dim his light or dilute his culture for anyone’s comfort.

Stripped of my ability to understand the literal meaning, I was left with something more essential: the universal language of emotion, movement, and human connection. The pulsing beat and movement of the dancers told a story of optimism and strength. The thoughtfully curated sets and performers conveyed a powerful story without words. The carefully chosen words behind him on the screen or on the football he held were there to remind us of our connection, no matter our language or location. For 13 minutes of pure performance magic, Bad Bunny reminded us all how it feels to be entertained, to be human, to be inspired.

This is what art does at its best. It builds bridges where walls once stood. It creates space for people who’ve felt unseen. It connects us through images and feelings. Bad Bunny’s performance wasn’t just entertainment - it was an assertion of identity, a masterclass in cultural pride, and a reminder that joy itself can be revolutionary.

As artists, and humans, we sometimes forget this power we hold. We get caught up in technique, in whether our work is good enough, in the fear that our voice doesn’t matter in an oversaturated world. Witnessing that performance reminded me: our art doesn’t have to be understood by everyone to be meaningful. It doesn’t have to conform to expectations to be powerful. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is show up fully as ourselves and invite others into our joy, our truth, our vision of what the world could be.

Art, in all its forms, remains one of our most potent tools for connection and change. It doesn’t require a common language, a shared background, or even agreement on every issue. It simply asks us to be present, to feel, to witness, to participate. Whether we’re creating in our studios, writing at our desks, displaying our homemade sign at a protest, or dancing in a stadium filled with thousands, we’re engaging in an ancient human practice of making meaning, building community, and insisting that beauty and joy have a place in even the most challenging times.

Right now, more than ever in our lifetimes, the world needs us to find our voices. In our art, in our communities, in our actions. Your voice, your art, your humanity matter. The world needs your particular brand of truth and beauty and joy. Art is inclusive by nature and invites us all to feel participate in creating a more vibrant, more creative, more honest and resilient future. And in that participation, whether as creator or witness, we find not just hope, but the invigorating reminder that we’re alive, we’re connected, and we have something worth celebrating.

xx.

Jill