What I'm still stuck on is the subject. I had the bold idea of making the prints an "attack" on the world of art but not only is that a rather large and risky undertaking, but I'm not exactly sure what it is that I'm attacking. The art world is kind of complicated. Am i attacking art? the gallery system? the art auctions? the artists? which artists? why? And what am i'm trying to say about it all?
One of my professors made this suggestion "Maybe your point is that with a design training, which is professional (you are paid for a service), you are struck by the irrationality and favoritism, etc., etc. of the art world" which does make some sense and could be a good lead in figuring out a stance.
But is it really what I want to make my thesis on? I mean, at the moment i'm frustrated and feel like retaliating against ((ART)) but is it really art's fault? or my own? Am i really just frustrated with myself and my struggle to find a meaningful topic.
Tonight I just finished reading "Letters to a Young Artist" as part of a class assignment but it's probably one of the first things I've read so far since being in this program that really related to the anxiety that i've been feeling. As I was reading the letters, it sounded as if they were sent to me. I was the young artist coming out fresh from school and eager to dive into the art world but also unsure about it. Worried about sacrificing my integrity to become a slave of the ((ART SYSTEM)) or spending my career struggling to get any kind of recognition.
Though the letters started to sound a bit repetitive in their suggestions and advice, I also found it interesting that all these artists, unknown of the others contacted, seemed to have the same points to say. It was reassuring that they weren't just pulling out some bullshit to make themselves sound smart or cool. There was some variations in things said based on who was saying them and what kind of artist and person they were. Obviously, the Guerrilla Girls had a strong message of activism that they were pushing. But as a general summery of what I got out of it was that you can't worry too much about this ((ART WORLD)) as you work. And you can't try to make a work of art with the intention of it to be a masterpiece. You have to do work that's meaningful to yourself and that you can believe in. There is some give and take if you want to try to get into galleries or make some money but you should still ultimately stay true to yourself. And if you don't want to sell out than you shouldn't expect art to be your only source of income. Having another profession is okay in order to pay the bills and keep your integrity intact. So basically, forget about this ((art world)) and what it thinks and just create for the love of creating. Create because there is a burning, yearning desire within you to do so. Not everything you will make will turn to gold but if you keep at it, and keep experimenting, keep pushing yourself, you're bound to hit on something amazing in a way that maybe no one has before. And if not, well, didn't you have fun anyway? And isn't enjoying yourself more important than trying to find fame or fortune?
So after that reading, it makes me not really want to attack ((ART)) anymore. I just want to make it. I might not have it figured out yet what it is that I will make specifically but for the moment, that's okay. And it's okay to struggle. It seems if you're not then you're probably not working hard enough. You've probably just found the easiest solution and chose to ride the flow.
My favorite quote comes from M. Scott Peck...
“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”
Tru dat. For me anyway, if i'm unhappy in a situation I seek to change or leave that situation. Like working a dead end office job that sucked away a part of my soul each day that I was there...I found a way out and went back to school. And even though i'm frustrated with school at the moment, it will ultimately lead me to better places once I work through it.
But I suppose I better settle on a topic soon so I can start getting some work done.
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