SELF CREATION

Since primordial beginnings humans began to create images from pigment dust, rocks and clay. We shaped our world in an attempt to understand ourselves and define our societies. Image making held great power be it cave paintings, monoliths, temples and even skyscrapers. In a world filled with ubiquitous images many have become visually illiterate. For some the potency of images are lost in the digital age, we view our world through cell phone and computer screens. Many people may see an image but how long do they contemplate the message it intends to impart?

From art institutions to galleries I've seen artists emulate others that seemed to have the formula of success. This has always gone against everything I deeply believe, for if you copy someone else you're a watered down version of yourself. Naturally we all have influences but direct imitation should never be considered a form of flattery. Where is the stand alone spirit to create something original?
We all have a personal filter that allows for something unique in the offering. To stand unwavering as an artist can be daunting and nothing less than a Herculean task. The barbs of reality are sharp and people love to point them out disparagingly. Artists need to be incredibly resolute to the reality which is the artful spirit. The task stripping away preconditioning to ultimately enable free association isn't a journey often encouraged. 

People love nothing more than saying you're wasting your time. Since time is relative who is the arbiter of what it takes to reach a place of creative value? Why should artists have to contend with anything that devalues the commodity of self exploration? Certainly I believe some instruction is needed as a foundation, but it take many years beyond that to achieve something free form.


We have arrived in a place where if it looks just like a photograph that's amazing. Who would assign art the sterility of such a staid memetic function? The colossal art of the ancient world showed us a greater reality. Who would believe that a culture that could create pyramids couldn't master realism? That memetic quality just wasn't a requirement of their culture with good reason.
 Our obsessions are with the surfaces of things and often not the deeper meaning. It's almost as if we are not allowed the luxury of time to explore the inner workings.  Often the mistake is to believe that over thinking is the same as deep thinking. Meditative and creative mindsets should be ones seeking pathways of simplicity. We have developed the ability to create better tools over the Millenniums, though to master our minds can still be the hardest of all creative challenges.

See you on the right side of your brain,
Gothic Hangman