just something kinda nice and thoughtful and interesting, from the artist formerly known as Jane Siberry.

MATTERS OF THE ART
is it just vanity?

why do the justifications about the value of ‘ART’ feel at odds with what is ‘in the air’?
why do i feel like I should get a real job?
why would a ‘real’ job make me feel more part of humanity?

I am creating things that are the best I can do from the best of me.
but so what.
IS it just vanity?
a wheezy left-over from the past when we perhaps needed ART more?

it DOESN’T feel right to (i) keep myself in debt trying to make beautiful things and (ii) ask others to spend money on what i create
it DOES feels right that we encourage each other to spend less these days, to help each other be accountable
perhaps being creative about thriftyness and survival is all the ART we need today

perhaps being creative about living and serving well is all the ART we need today
perhaps it is time to re-think ART without the heavy baggage of past definitions

without the pressure to like things we don’t understand and that make us feel separated
without the disappointment at the theatre when a creation of excellence and joy is unattended
without the distortions created when ‘art’ became something from which there could be financial profit.

meanwhile, if i could, i would book a studio tomorrow
and create music and musicals and operas and design beautiful public spaces and humming temples and zen-like elder homes and films.

meanwhile, i am painting as i wait, happy as i paint, and thinking about all this.

- – -

if you have any good quotes or thoughts about
why ART may be more than a weakly-justified make-work project
for people who can’t get a real job

i’ll post them at issalight.com (send to issa@sheeba.ca)

This post is tagged Add new tag, art