I as F - LOL! I can be succinct. My training and expertise is in communication. The acts of communication are speaking and listening. Speaking is weak if there is no listening. (Just look to our politicians.)If I apply that model to Art or Creation, there is the making of the art and the receiving (listening, looking, absorbing, etc)of the art. Is there art if no one 'sees' it? Well the artist always is also a receiver, but is the creation bigger with more receivers? I will stick to being in the question for now. My knee-jerk is to have an answer and I think I will think on it more. Thanks for the inspiration. L
I think for me, the audience is nice but not required ... at least for the art itself.
However: I'll admit that it's hard (again for me, at least) to do what I do in a vacuum, in part because I like to feel like I'm making a difference for someone. The example of a performing musician is a lot easier to understand: If you're rocking a full house, the energy is WAY different from playing for an empty bar where nobody gives a shit. It's like that for me. If I write and nobody cares, it's hard to stomach. Which makes me not want to keep doing it. So this is definitely a valid point.
But I think I'd separate the spirit of the sentiment from the literal truth of it, so that both can be true. YES, art often benefits from an audience, but also YES, it's still art and it's still heartfelt and it still has all sorts of benefits to the artist even if nobody sees it.
I guess the trick is to fool yourself into believing that what you do WILL connect with people ... and then to forget it next time and do it again if it actually doesn't.
"Is there art if no one 'sees' it? Well the artist always is also a receiver, but is the creation bigger with more receivers?" I love this question.
I would say "bigger" yes, in the sense that if there's a purpose/desire behind the art to benefit the viewer and the viewer experiences that benefit. At least that's what keeps me creating it.
Yessir. Preshate U on this. I wood still WRITE, too. Cuz mah WRITING is FIGHTING against da CYSTEM best I kan as a Man. So yeah. Im glad u said it like dat. Sumbody asking WHY i write is like asking me Why i BREATHE?? Cuz its how I survive-Muthafucka!!
I'm trying with Notes, but not getting much action. I'll keep at it. I love meeting cool new people.
But ... I've just gotta say that I was checking out your Substack and FUCKING LOVE IT from the quick look I was able to give it (gotta run; will look more later). Love that it's you being you to the ends of the earth. It's so amazing when people are genuine because it doesn't happen much. Also saw a video podcast thing with you in a suit and sunglasses smoking an enormous joint. RESPECT.
Nuff RESPECT. Preshate da Rec. I hear ya bout Notes. Took me a Minute to git sum traction-too. I got mah Scrips in 4 U tho. So imma katch ya either way. Keep droppin em.
Thanks JBT-(I really wish my initials were LOL) I concur. I did both, although the singing is in the past. And there was a difference when the audience was drunken brawlers in a dive bar, and the audience was dancing at the local college...I don't go for the fool my/yourself part. I'm a stand that expression makes a difference. I'd say that you are too. Thanks for the thought-provoking. LDW/LDR
I don't know if you intentionally did this in poetic format or not, but this comment was delivered to me without the line breaks ... but it's way cooler this way.
So do I. I really clamored for a return to the podcast, but it became clear pretty quickly that the magic just wasn't there anymore. We always did it at 2pm on Fridays: SPP first, then WSE after. It was the best way ever to end the week.
And it’s absolutely fair enough that your art also serves you. For creative souls, art is necessity for living - so reminding yourself via your writing is also cool.
I love you reminding us that the point of creating art is... to create art! Of course it’s nice if someone else likes it, but that’s not the point of doing it. I can’t not draw. I get really uncomfortable if I’m not able to, to the point of always carrying pencils and a little notebook in my handbag to draw - or write, as the case may be. For me, I can partly justify my compulsion to draw by the fact that it’s important to keep the skills up, but that’s true of any art form. Years and years ago, I used to play the guitar. I haven’t practiced for perhaps the last twenty years, and, surprise surprise, I can’t knock out tunes and pieces like I used to. But I still love the guitar. I suppose the point is that it’s essential to love what you’re creating, or to love the act of creating, because that’s a lot more than half of the process. But thanks for reminding us that the point of art is just to be art: nice.
If the world was burning but I had a paper and pen, I’d still be writing. Because I’m a writer. Because that’s what writers do.
I felt that deep in my shondos.
Now THAT’S a deep cut, but I now know what shondos are. :)
I as F - LOL! I can be succinct. My training and expertise is in communication. The acts of communication are speaking and listening. Speaking is weak if there is no listening. (Just look to our politicians.)If I apply that model to Art or Creation, there is the making of the art and the receiving (listening, looking, absorbing, etc)of the art. Is there art if no one 'sees' it? Well the artist always is also a receiver, but is the creation bigger with more receivers? I will stick to being in the question for now. My knee-jerk is to have an answer and I think I will think on it more. Thanks for the inspiration. L
I think for me, the audience is nice but not required ... at least for the art itself.
However: I'll admit that it's hard (again for me, at least) to do what I do in a vacuum, in part because I like to feel like I'm making a difference for someone. The example of a performing musician is a lot easier to understand: If you're rocking a full house, the energy is WAY different from playing for an empty bar where nobody gives a shit. It's like that for me. If I write and nobody cares, it's hard to stomach. Which makes me not want to keep doing it. So this is definitely a valid point.
But I think I'd separate the spirit of the sentiment from the literal truth of it, so that both can be true. YES, art often benefits from an audience, but also YES, it's still art and it's still heartfelt and it still has all sorts of benefits to the artist even if nobody sees it.
I guess the trick is to fool yourself into believing that what you do WILL connect with people ... and then to forget it next time and do it again if it actually doesn't.
"Is there art if no one 'sees' it? Well the artist always is also a receiver, but is the creation bigger with more receivers?" I love this question.
I would say "bigger" yes, in the sense that if there's a purpose/desire behind the art to benefit the viewer and the viewer experiences that benefit. At least that's what keeps me creating it.
Yessir. Preshate U on this. I wood still WRITE, too. Cuz mah WRITING is FIGHTING against da CYSTEM best I kan as a Man. So yeah. Im glad u said it like dat. Sumbody asking WHY i write is like asking me Why i BREATHE?? Cuz its how I survive-Muthafucka!!
I love the FUCK out of your vibe! So glad you dropped this gem here.
Likewize, man. Digg how U slang dem words round. Be kool if U dropped a lil skeet taste on NOTES here n there.
I'm trying with Notes, but not getting much action. I'll keep at it. I love meeting cool new people.
But ... I've just gotta say that I was checking out your Substack and FUCKING LOVE IT from the quick look I was able to give it (gotta run; will look more later). Love that it's you being you to the ends of the earth. It's so amazing when people are genuine because it doesn't happen much. Also saw a video podcast thing with you in a suit and sunglasses smoking an enormous joint. RESPECT.
Sidenote: Da Blunt Force Trauma was riteous. Afterwards-I had a sensible dinner.
Nuff RESPECT. Preshate da Rec. I hear ya bout Notes. Took me a Minute to git sum traction-too. I got mah Scrips in 4 U tho. So imma katch ya either way. Keep droppin em.
Thanks JBT-(I really wish my initials were LOL) I concur. I did both, although the singing is in the past. And there was a difference when the audience was drunken brawlers in a dive bar, and the audience was dancing at the local college...I don't go for the fool my/yourself part. I'm a stand that expression makes a difference. I'd say that you are too. Thanks for the thought-provoking. LDW/LDR
You know what I keep thinking about recently
Star Trek: TNG
300 years in the future
and not one fucking writer
not one in sight
and no money
a future where I have no idea
what to do with myself everyday
but
It still looked like a pretty alright
time to be alive
And that’s a lie,
I know what I’d do
I’d write anyhow
I’d stare into the space
on the other side of the glass
try not to piss myself
and write
I don't know if you intentionally did this in poetic format or not, but this comment was delivered to me without the line breaks ... but it's way cooler this way.
Yeah, my weird quirk.
I hate long lines of text
and think line breaks
capture inflection better
Well, I’m certainly Inspired As Fuck now. Thank you.
You are one FAST FUCKING READER. I salute you, sir!
I’ve always read fast. If only I could write as fast. Miss you guys on the podcast, but I get it.
So do I. I really clamored for a return to the podcast, but it became clear pretty quickly that the magic just wasn't there anymore. We always did it at 2pm on Fridays: SPP first, then WSE after. It was the best way ever to end the week.
Another fiction writer who also goes on rants? That's f**king amazing! I knew I came to the right place.
Found my way here from Russell at The Author Stack. Your site looks great!
Man, I've got all the rants in the world. :)
And it’s absolutely fair enough that your art also serves you. For creative souls, art is necessity for living - so reminding yourself via your writing is also cool.
I love you reminding us that the point of creating art is... to create art! Of course it’s nice if someone else likes it, but that’s not the point of doing it. I can’t not draw. I get really uncomfortable if I’m not able to, to the point of always carrying pencils and a little notebook in my handbag to draw - or write, as the case may be. For me, I can partly justify my compulsion to draw by the fact that it’s important to keep the skills up, but that’s true of any art form. Years and years ago, I used to play the guitar. I haven’t practiced for perhaps the last twenty years, and, surprise surprise, I can’t knock out tunes and pieces like I used to. But I still love the guitar. I suppose the point is that it’s essential to love what you’re creating, or to love the act of creating, because that’s a lot more than half of the process. But thanks for reminding us that the point of art is just to be art: nice.
Ironically, I need this reminder as much as anyone reading this. :)