Sorry, But No, Not Everyone Is An Artist
Everyone and their dog is an "artist" these days. I'm not trying to be overly snarky, but it's nearly true.
While I love and value that more people are finding necessary ways of expressing themselves in artistic sorts of media, especially because of the therapeutic value, we need to stop calling everyone an artist simply because they tried their hand/voice at something artistic.
It damages artists--those of us who have committed literally our whole lives to our craft, who have breathed in art language since childhood, who have given up house and home and many dreams to pursue our craft.
It discounts those who have a rare gift, or a time-and-attention-built strong artistic instinct.
We wouldn't say the same thing about engineers, for example, as my mom pointed out the other day. Just because I threw some solder on a few hunks of metal to make a fake bridge in Grade 8 (which I did) does not make me an engineer. Even if people want to call me one, no one would dare drive over a bridge I built. And that would be an intelligent call.
We don't call people athletes who can't even get the basketball in the hoop, even if they put up a good effort and find it therapeutic to try. I played basketball in high school. I was even pretty good. I run sometimes. I go to the gym.
But I am not an "athlete," and take no offence to not being categorized as one. It's not fair to the friends of mine who are built like gods and goddesses and have trained 3 hours a day with professional coaches in hopes of making it to the Olympics.
A good example comes to mind. When I was a kid, I suffered horrible tragedy in my immediate family. I was 8, and the school counsellor had me use pencil crayons to draw how I felt to help me process emotionally.
Was this valuable, precious, and worth cherishing? Absolutely yes.
But was it art?
Emphatically no.
We have to stop discounting artists by calling everyone an artist. Just because a person feels something deeply and expresses it outwardly in some way doesn't automatically give it artistic value--as harsh as that sounds.
As I said in my article a couple of days ago, we need to start having the courage to be honest about what is actually good and what isn't--not to be unnecessarily mean, but in order to respect professional artists and to build up a stronger and more robust culture that is actually edifying and life-giving.
And that is my very hefty two cents for the day.
Xx,
Kay
(Another video up later today. In the meantime, you can go here or here to watch the ones I already posted if you haven't had a chance yet.)
Great post! Followed you.. I'm a musician as well. it is frustrating that real art and music is under appreciated. I think partially, because you can basically get anything for free these days online. But hopefully more communities like Steemit can help change that
It is really just so hard. I'm really glad it resonated with you--I'm really hoping to connect with a lot of serious artists, musicians, and writers on here. I'm brand new, but it feels possible with this new medium.
Free music, lol: I have some of my music available for download through my website! If you're interested. A couple of videos up as well. Do you have any? I'm going to go check. Xx, Kay
Great post,
Artists tend to be high in openness and intelligence, the same traits that almost all successful entrepreneurs have. Do you think being a self starting entrepreneur is an art form? It's definitely about seeing the world from a different perspective much like art.
That is a very interesting thought, @eoincurran, and it puts some things that have been mulling around in me for a while together!
Being an entrepreneur is a fundamentally creative thing. A person has to, as you say, constantly find new perspectives (and enjoy that) in order to succeed. Fascinating. Maybe it's not the worst thing that artists now also have to be entrepreneurs!
You hit the nail on the head! Not everyone is an artist, model, athlete just because they've labeled themselves as such. It takes time, effort and true talent to earn your badge.
I wrote something similar earlier today on here about my wanna be modeling days haha
https://steemit.com/life/@artedellavita/why-i-didn-t-make-a-good-model
Ah.. the "labelling." Really.. so silly. Things aren't a certain way just because we say they are! I'm glad to hear you've found the "best things" in life :).
Agree in every extent.. just wanna know what we call ourself in that phase where we are just trying to get better with things we like....."struggler" I guess trying to learn so much..
That is very true. I am also a work in progress.. and I don't want to discourage people from stepping out and trying, and we do need to find a safe place to do that where we are encouraged, especially at the beginning when we are just a little sprout!
But it's important to admit our limitations in the mean time, and to be willing to receive honest, and sometimes harsh, criticism.
I had one great teacher who refused to permit cliche/mixed metaphors/just plain blagh work in my writing. I can't tell you how grateful I am, because otherwise I'd be terrible now. We critique people we love, and especially those we see have a gift worth developing!
I wrote a little more in this article, too, if you're interested in taking a look. https://steemit.com/michelangelo/@kayclarity/art-and-mediocrity-a-short-treatise-on-crimes-against-art-and-taste
It's great you commented. I might write an article on that, as I'm really hoping to start an ongoing conversation on here about art and how to shift the culture back toward true taste. This is actually the kind of comment I want to see!
Have a great day - going to go and check out your account!
Xx, Kay
I'd love to read whatever you have in your mind next up... one thing I'm thankful for in this age of internet is we can find true genius and people who do it from soul the only sad part is we need to make some extra efforts to get there they often just live in dark only few of these true artist get what they deserve and one can write a new blog post on why that happens...
It's true. We have to make a BIG effort to support artists, or else they can't survive. Good things die for lack of "water." That's why I am truly so grateful for support on here, in any form. People have already resteemed some of my work, and I'm so so grateful.
I feel it, but where is that line drawn?
Google define says:
a person who creates paintings or drawings as a profession or hobby.
synonyms: creator, originator, designer, producer, fine artist; More
informal
a person who habitually practises a specified reprehensible activity.
"rip-off artists"
Perhaps the 'poseurs' are still artists of sorts, just rip-off artists (;
It is hard somewhat. But I would argue that in the modern world we define art incorrectly! Now it is simply about "expressing yourself" whereas before it was about about trying to make something for others that would edify.
Then there is that in between place where we aren't good yet but need to start. It's tricky, but maybe not as complicated as we make it?
And yes.. many 'poseurs'! lol
I like people who can call out BS as it is! I wrote something similar here
I worked as an automotive writer/journo once for a full-time job. I was good at it too, even managed a national record while at my job. At the time there were many bloggers who got on the scene. Few barely knew how to test vehicles, much less write technically about them. It was pathetic to say these people bring themselves upto the ranks of a reporter when they lacked the passion, skills and the integrity required to be one!
It really is frustrating. Glad you agree! Honestly, I'm only just starting to get comfortable being honest in this way. But wow: so freeing!
I wrote another one in a similar vein if you're interested: https://steemit.com/michelangelo/@kayclarity/art-and-mediocrity-a-short-treatise-on-crimes-against-art-and-taste
Checking out yours now!
I will and have it open. Will read it first thing in the morning and get back to you. Just calling it a day here.. Too much on my mind from past few days..Pushed myself a bit too much haha!
I just try and say it like it is these days. Stopped giving a damn what someone thinks, especially if they are in the wrong and need to be said so. I sleep better! lol
It's true. You post was good--I commented.
I think you are taking this "misusage" of the term a little personally. In what way does it impact you to hear or see that others are considered artists when you don't personally agree? There is a difference between amateur artists and professional artists, both which may be referred to as artists.
I have always considered an artist to be someone that views the world in an imaginative and creative way, always thinking of what things can be built from seemingly nothing and fantasizing how to change what exists and make it more beautiful. An artist may only create one piece in a lifetime. Perhaps they paint a thousand portraits, instead. Each artist is different.
For anyone that desires to be seen as a serious artist, you need to let your portfolio speak for itself. What other people are calling themselves or calling others has nothing to do with your success or failings.
I appreciate your comment, sincerely, but I have to stand by what I've said.
First, however, I want to acknowledge that I agree with you about artistic people. That's a real thing, and something I appreciate. However, this person has to cultivate an actual craft in order to become an artist.
Art of course has a subjective element to it, but not nearly as much as the modern world says it does. A lot of it is bad, and we should be able to say it's bad when it is. Like I said--not in any unnecessarily unkind way, and actually we should try to be as charitable as we possibly can, but being honest shouldn't be a crime. And not speaking about how poor the general quality is continues to bring down the quality.
I was hoping the bridge example would bring the truth out a little, but apparently that didn't resonate?
For example, in the 90s, songs on the radio were apparently at an average of a 12-year-old's reading level. Now, it's at the reading level of an 8-year-old.
And truly, it's not just about me as an artist. If it were, it wouldn't be worth the personal controversy. It's about culture at large, and what is happening on a larger scale. If anything, we need a few voices like this to balance the equation of "everything goes." If we don't speak up a little, the whole culture starts to decay.
And.. if it were just about me? Trust me: it affects me. The more people can't recognize quality and are not challenged to develop an artistic eye, the less they are willing to invest in appreciating real work, and artists find fewer people to share their work with and can't have it supported. It's just the truth. I have certainly seen this, on repeat.
But I do welcome your comments here any time. It's helpful for the dialogue, and I have no problem with dialogue (even if I won't always be able to keep on top of it all).
All the best,
Kay
Thanks for the reply. I can appreciate your take on the matter. I do agree that people should freely critique and analyze the art of other people. In a way, response to art is what gives art its voice. I, too, have witnessed that people are afraid or hesitant to comment on the works of others when they have something other than kind things to say, and I do think that growing caution of expressing opinions has caused some artists themselves to be less likely to take criticism well and work on improving.
Like you point out with that link, the reading level or complexity in vocabulary within songs has definitely lessened over the years. I've noticed this in books, too, especially best sellers. I wonder if that has to do with a cultural shift and less complexity becoming more commonplace in different artistic mediums. I do agree with your points about the degradation of art due to a growing acceptance of less thought-provoking works. Personally, I feel it is easier to judge writing than visual pieces. In that case, you can tell when the subject matter is very juvenile and doesn't bring any new thoughts up for consideration.
My comment was more about how I don't like the idea of trying to define art or tell people what is or isn't art because even if I or some others don't see it that way, it can still be art to the creator or someone else. My worry with this idea is that seeing one type or just a few types of styles as valid can damage the community as well. I'm not much of a fan of abstract art or the work of Carmen Herrera (you can look her art up on google), but many people appreciate these styles. So then, is art only valid once the individual meets the standards of the art style they choose? Who creates these standards?