Expression and Experience; Art and Life
If you were to ask me what measures my respect for an artist of any kind, I would say simply: courage.
We forget that art is an expression. What makes the concept of art so great is that anybody can do it. What makes it a burden is that everybody thinks only a few can do it. But looking back through the history of art, be it music, visual, or any other kind, the artists we remember are the ones who showed boldness and courage; NOT the ones who had the most talent..or even who worked the hardest.
This is expression; with no concrete guideline for success of failure. There are no rules except to not blatantly steal another's work, of course. You go with what you have and you create what you create. The audience will determine its popularity. The 'goodness' of an art is relative, by the way, and is determined by individual observances which, more often than not, is about how it makes that observer feel.
I love how Jimi Hendrix' band was called 'The Jimi Hendrix Experience'. That in itself was a statement. Its like saying, "You're not just gonna listen to music or watch a concert. You're about to have an experience." There it is. The work of an art. You see, It has never been about how well you sing and dance, or how well you can paint, draw, sculpt, or write. Its about how you can make a person feel. Art is an expression; and for those of us who check it out, its an experience.
Then again, that's all life is: Expression and Experience.... and now you wanna know why I say that "Life is Art; and Art is Life."
So live with boldness. Live with courage and damnit, experience expression! For many spiritual teachers believe that we are but an expression of the Eternal, which would make ourselves the artist, the art, and the observer. Niiiiiiiceee!!!!
We forget that art is an expression. What makes the concept of art so great is that anybody can do it. What makes it a burden is that everybody thinks only a few can do it. But looking back through the history of art, be it music, visual, or any other kind, the artists we remember are the ones who showed boldness and courage; NOT the ones who had the most talent..or even who worked the hardest.
This is expression; with no concrete guideline for success of failure. There are no rules except to not blatantly steal another's work, of course. You go with what you have and you create what you create. The audience will determine its popularity. The 'goodness' of an art is relative, by the way, and is determined by individual observances which, more often than not, is about how it makes that observer feel.
I love how Jimi Hendrix' band was called 'The Jimi Hendrix Experience'. That in itself was a statement. Its like saying, "You're not just gonna listen to music or watch a concert. You're about to have an experience." There it is. The work of an art. You see, It has never been about how well you sing and dance, or how well you can paint, draw, sculpt, or write. Its about how you can make a person feel. Art is an expression; and for those of us who check it out, its an experience.
Then again, that's all life is: Expression and Experience.... and now you wanna know why I say that "Life is Art; and Art is Life."
So live with boldness. Live with courage and damnit, experience expression! For many spiritual teachers believe that we are but an expression of the Eternal, which would make ourselves the artist, the art, and the observer. Niiiiiiiceee!!!!
I might add that sometimes an artist is unappreciated during their own lifetime (take Vincent Van Gogh, for example) but they continue to create without verification. For the inspired artist, it doesn't matter how others react. As you said, it is a need to express one's fundamental self. Well said, Marq. :)
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