In an age of content and commercialism where consumerism is celebrated and the commodification of art is, if not necessarily desired but certainly required, is it enough to just make pretty pictures devoid of soul? Software makes it easier than ever for humans to make stylistically competent images and videos and AI is multiplying that 100-fold but is it enough to just make work that looks good and is ‘sellable’?
I argue no. And any artist worth their salt should take the same stand. Who cares if you can crank out fodder for the commercial machine? I mean, besides the commercial machine. Corporations are busy propping up ‘IPs’ by the hundreds as cash-generating machines so that fans will open their wallets without thinking as long as a thing has a brand they subscribe too. Long gone are the thoughtful and ponderous efforts by artists of all stripes to create meaningful work that have many layers of understanding and reference. Like a song that you hear and get on the first listen, but then get again when you study the lyrics and yet a third time when you learn about the production hell it went through to get made. That requires time, energy and effort.
Today, everyone just wants to get paid.
Getting naked to make art (metaphorically, you understand) simply isn’t valued. Yes, a great work with depth and breadth can find an audience. But if you have to pay the rent, and you can get 10 for just cranking out schlock, why hold out for 11 by pouring your soul into a canvas or tape-deck (yes, I know, no one uses tape anymore).
Is creative vulnerability Something desired? It seems it should be. Songwriters in particular, I think, cannot reach in and grasp our hearts without Putting their Souls on the line. Painters splash loss and pain into a canvas like tears in the rain. Gentle moments of Love and affection mean little Unless charged with the energy of a life force. Poets too, ascending to ethereal heights from caverns of scorn and disappointment. Bleeding the light of their love and passion From spires of enlightenment Into the pool of community consciousness. A bakery chef, though, Likely does not Need an estranged lover, Or tragic backstory to make an amazing cake. But, maybe it helps? We all want to see, NEED to see, the naked artist. So we can find Some part of us In the work.
Only when the creator Taps into that universal energy That the rest can empathize and Experience what The maker did. Gimmicks and contrivances Are simply no substitute. Art is not a production line Which may be sped up through Tools of industry and efficiency. But all this raw Nakedness may cause Discomfort on the Part of us all. Like trees that Scream when felled, Being too close may Terrify. But, at least we are Feeling something And that's all Any artist wants.
This post could use a fortnight to fully digest 💯