Some animals sing, some dance and others achieve architectural feats. But do they develop imagination and artistic skill, or merely follow innate patterns? What about Suda, the elephant who paints her friend with brush and color—genuine talent?
Art takes time and effort, a disadvantage in survival. Yet when dance, music, and building serve courtship, it pays off. No wonder, some animals even seem to have a “personal style”. One male bowerbird collects mostly black beetle wings, another prefers blue bottle caps, presenting diverse displays for females. Early human art also aimed to impress mates. With the first melodies, art became a “language of emotion.” Today it has grown beyond biological purposes, yet its origins lie in the animal kingdom. Art, too, did not fall from the sky.
