I have a quote from Ai Weiwei on my board in front of me;
To conventional culture, I said art should be the nail in the eye, spike in the flesh, gravel in the shoe: the reason why art cannot be ignored is that it destabilises what is seems settled and secure. Change is an objective fact, and whether you like it or not, only by confronting challenge can you be sure you have enough kindling to keep the fire in your spirit burning. Don't try to dream other people's dreams, I told them, you have to face up to your own predicament honestly on your own terms, There is a huge gulf between your aesthetic passions as an artist and the indifference of the real world.
Does he, in a roundabout way, say almost the same? I'm not sure. I think it's about finding your own path and following it boldly.
Yes it is, but the path can feel wobbly, and only later feels clear. It's about taking those brave steps. Between you, me and Ai Wei Wei I think we've got it sussed!
At first I’m intimidated by his view. My art isn’t going to poke anyone in the eye! But it comes from being stopped in my tracks, the gravel in my own shoe. Perhaps that’s what he means. And yes, finding my own path slowly but surely, holding hands along the way.
I agree, I think, for me, finding art (in its widest form and I would never call myself an artist the same as I would never call myself a writer) at this very late time in my life has given me a kind of freedom to express myself, just as writing which I have done all my life has done in a different way. In other words I can find my own way, be playful and enjoy where it takes me. And in doing this I can find/rediscover new parts of myself, learn new things I have not considered before.
And that is what it is all about surely? I think in a world focussed on the product and the monetisation of everything we forget that the making, the doing, the writing is the point.
I have a quote from Ai Weiwei on my board in front of me;
To conventional culture, I said art should be the nail in the eye, spike in the flesh, gravel in the shoe: the reason why art cannot be ignored is that it destabilises what is seems settled and secure. Change is an objective fact, and whether you like it or not, only by confronting challenge can you be sure you have enough kindling to keep the fire in your spirit burning. Don't try to dream other people's dreams, I told them, you have to face up to your own predicament honestly on your own terms, There is a huge gulf between your aesthetic passions as an artist and the indifference of the real world.
Does he, in a roundabout way, say almost the same? I'm not sure. I think it's about finding your own path and following it boldly.
Yes it is, but the path can feel wobbly, and only later feels clear. It's about taking those brave steps. Between you, me and Ai Wei Wei I think we've got it sussed!
At first I’m intimidated by his view. My art isn’t going to poke anyone in the eye! But it comes from being stopped in my tracks, the gravel in my own shoe. Perhaps that’s what he means. And yes, finding my own path slowly but surely, holding hands along the way.
I agree, I think, for me, finding art (in its widest form and I would never call myself an artist the same as I would never call myself a writer) at this very late time in my life has given me a kind of freedom to express myself, just as writing which I have done all my life has done in a different way. In other words I can find my own way, be playful and enjoy where it takes me. And in doing this I can find/rediscover new parts of myself, learn new things I have not considered before.
And that is what it is all about surely? I think in a world focussed on the product and the monetisation of everything we forget that the making, the doing, the writing is the point.
Exactly! I’m 69, and this creativity, art and writing, just for me, explores my place in the world.
Yes, it's all about the exploration!
You’ve helped me lose the need to be purposeful! I’ve played all summer and now it’s autumn I’ve still got much to to splash down on paper!