I'm one of those people who believes that one of the things we have to do in this moment is maintain...our joys, our values, the structures and practices that we know work regardless of what they say. And making art can fit into any or all of those things that need maintaining.
The metaphor of mired in the rubble of the city's two towers is pretty powerful. Thanks for sharing your creative process -- it's hard work and not always pleasant.
As an artist, I have often wondered if the drive to create is a psychological condition. But as I've gotten older, I think that creativity is the original impulse of the universe and to create is to participate in that impulse.
But I also think that perhaps we might have carried art as a means of "expressing oneself" to its logical conclusion...and then kept going. I think art has more to offer than simply self-expression--which can breed the so-what narcissism you mention. In art school, you learn that the important thing is to "make something good" according to the priorities of the artworld so that you can "succeed." But so much of the artworld is rigged and arbitrary itself, so this is as empty as trying to create content that will go viral. When I read your posts and see the artwork of your dad, I usually think, "Wow, that's really good." And then you show the artwork of your mom, and I think, "See, that's just as good," and yet, of course, she experienced way less "artworld success" than your dad. (At least, that's how it seems to me from here.)
The artworld has surrendered itself to the priorities of late stage capitalism and we artists need to stop looking to it for approval. For too long artists have acted like art should be some middle class job they can have but then don't get--but we think that because it justifies getting the education. But going to art school is not the same as going to law school, and we all know it. But the stultifying confines of our dominant culture/economic system train us to crave "success." I think this breeds that narcissism you mention.
Anyhoo, as you can see, I have lots of thoughts on this! :D I think I'll hit post without re-reading or I won't do it....
Thank you for all of this, Sarah. I especially love, “I think that creativity is the original impulse of the universe and to create is to participate in that impulse.” And I completely agree, there are many more reasons to study something then to make money from that education. We have this life to live.
Both my parents understood that, actually. And they went to some extremes, each of them, to claim their artist-selves. And they hoped their children would be deeply talented and passionate about .. something else. 😊
I'm one of those people who believes that one of the things we have to do in this moment is maintain...our joys, our values, the structures and practices that we know work regardless of what they say. And making art can fit into any or all of those things that need maintaining.
"Practices" feels like a key word here for me with this piece and this moment. Yes.
The metaphor of mired in the rubble of the city's two towers is pretty powerful. Thanks for sharing your creative process -- it's hard work and not always pleasant.
Thank you, Jill
As an artist, I have often wondered if the drive to create is a psychological condition. But as I've gotten older, I think that creativity is the original impulse of the universe and to create is to participate in that impulse.
But I also think that perhaps we might have carried art as a means of "expressing oneself" to its logical conclusion...and then kept going. I think art has more to offer than simply self-expression--which can breed the so-what narcissism you mention. In art school, you learn that the important thing is to "make something good" according to the priorities of the artworld so that you can "succeed." But so much of the artworld is rigged and arbitrary itself, so this is as empty as trying to create content that will go viral. When I read your posts and see the artwork of your dad, I usually think, "Wow, that's really good." And then you show the artwork of your mom, and I think, "See, that's just as good," and yet, of course, she experienced way less "artworld success" than your dad. (At least, that's how it seems to me from here.)
The artworld has surrendered itself to the priorities of late stage capitalism and we artists need to stop looking to it for approval. For too long artists have acted like art should be some middle class job they can have but then don't get--but we think that because it justifies getting the education. But going to art school is not the same as going to law school, and we all know it. But the stultifying confines of our dominant culture/economic system train us to crave "success." I think this breeds that narcissism you mention.
Anyhoo, as you can see, I have lots of thoughts on this! :D I think I'll hit post without re-reading or I won't do it....
Thank you for all of this, Sarah. I especially love, “I think that creativity is the original impulse of the universe and to create is to participate in that impulse.” And I completely agree, there are many more reasons to study something then to make money from that education. We have this life to live.
Both my parents understood that, actually. And they went to some extremes, each of them, to claim their artist-selves. And they hoped their children would be deeply talented and passionate about .. something else. 😊