Man on Wire is the recent Oscar nominated documentary about Philippe Petit, a French high wire artist who gained fame for his high-wire walk between the Twin Towers in New York City on August 7, 1974 and needless to say, the planning had to be done secretly for over a year. The documentary is a good watch; it chronicles the events and planning leading upto the final event.

But it raises a few more questions about the perception of art. For one, he refers to himself as an artist, which puts his passion towards tight-rope walking in a whole different perspective. The first question he was asked while being whisked away by the cops after the feat was a why. His answer : “When I see three oranges, I juggle; when I see two towers, I walk.”

As simple as that.

In a recent interview with Stephen Colbert he was asked as to why even try this crazy feat :

“It is because I have no choice. I think a true artist should always have that as an answer. If you know why you paint, maybe you are not driven by painting and waking up and having to face the empty canvas. So if you don’t know, it is much better than if you know.”

I was amazed at the simplicity of the thought. When one can use the words “because I have no choice”, it is beyond an art, a sport or an activity. It is an intrinsic part of life and you are beyond performance, physical limits and expectations.

Maybe all we should aim for in life is one thing with which we can associate that phrase.

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