15th December- Reflections
15th December-
Reflections
Life can be lived in a type of blind modernity, man feeling its way through a smoothed tactile terrain. The machine of government and corporations rolling the path out to ensure that smoothness continues, no matter what is in front of the weighted roller.
This week I have been considering my own place quite a lot. Less in an existential way and more within the industry that for so long I wanted to be part of. I still want to be involved within the art world yet in a differing way to others; possibly.
Being an artist today is a type of rebellion. Not wishing to be part of the capitalist grasps that enthrall so many other professions. However, it is hard to exist on this border. As I progress through my degree I realise that the art world speaks in an often secular way. The internal dialogue does not always radiate further afield. This lack of extensive conversation means that messages can be limited.
The messages within my work would be wasted if they lacked a platform to be heard. Therefore this is why I have been trying to engage with areas outside of the classic 'art world' although these areas are still often creative. For example, I have been involving myself with poetry and prose publishers as well as open poetry evenings. I have been writing for the Norwich Radical for some time now and this has been amazing helpful to extend not only my written skills but also to gage the fact that so many people do not engage with alternative media/art/press. This is often due to a lack of familiarity and trust which is ironic as the larger publishers and news agents have extensive vested interest and funding. Why they can become so well known. Anyway, through writing for the norwich radical I have been approached by other individuals as well as groups to write for them or produce reviews. I have received invitations to book launches by 'Salo Press' and 'Theory and practice'. This is all amazing experience and acts as direct primary research for my art. However, I already work two jobs to support myself at uni and for the surrounding months such as summer, doing all this extra unpaid work is very draining. Ii do not say that for sympathy as I am still very blessed in life and to have the opportunity to pick non labour intensive work. However, It more seems to stem from the fact that our economy has very little value in terms of culture. Things that enrich culture are not very economically viable. This therefore means that the structure around those things has very little money to pay writers for example.
I think what I am trying to get at is my societal disillusionment and ongoing frustration with the structural position of things. This also extends into the art world. People can produce work without extensively looking into the implication and the historical positioning of it. The implications of what that behaviour is, this is extended across so many fields however. It is difficult to function in a society that creates a minority out of those who choose to ask the difficult questions and raise problematic issues to the forefront. Life can be lived in a type of blind modernity, man feeling its way through a smoothed tactile terrain. The machine of government and corporations rolling the path out to ensure that smoothness continues, no matter what is in front of the weighted roller.
This analogy is truthful and apt for the situation currently surrounding us. I do try to remain positive though and constantly educate myself of the system and what can be done. This is why I have put myself forward for the TARDIS placement within the school. To try and influence the next generation in a small way, to allow creative development and philosophical independence. Hopefully this work, along with my more tactile visual work will take steps to clarify my own place to me and to clarify what doors can open to allow others to also walk through.
Reflections
Life can be lived in a type of blind modernity, man feeling its way through a smoothed tactile terrain. The machine of government and corporations rolling the path out to ensure that smoothness continues, no matter what is in front of the weighted roller.
This week I have been considering my own place quite a lot. Less in an existential way and more within the industry that for so long I wanted to be part of. I still want to be involved within the art world yet in a differing way to others; possibly.
Being an artist today is a type of rebellion. Not wishing to be part of the capitalist grasps that enthrall so many other professions. However, it is hard to exist on this border. As I progress through my degree I realise that the art world speaks in an often secular way. The internal dialogue does not always radiate further afield. This lack of extensive conversation means that messages can be limited.
The messages within my work would be wasted if they lacked a platform to be heard. Therefore this is why I have been trying to engage with areas outside of the classic 'art world' although these areas are still often creative. For example, I have been involving myself with poetry and prose publishers as well as open poetry evenings. I have been writing for the Norwich Radical for some time now and this has been amazing helpful to extend not only my written skills but also to gage the fact that so many people do not engage with alternative media/art/press. This is often due to a lack of familiarity and trust which is ironic as the larger publishers and news agents have extensive vested interest and funding. Why they can become so well known. Anyway, through writing for the norwich radical I have been approached by other individuals as well as groups to write for them or produce reviews. I have received invitations to book launches by 'Salo Press' and 'Theory and practice'. This is all amazing experience and acts as direct primary research for my art. However, I already work two jobs to support myself at uni and for the surrounding months such as summer, doing all this extra unpaid work is very draining. Ii do not say that for sympathy as I am still very blessed in life and to have the opportunity to pick non labour intensive work. However, It more seems to stem from the fact that our economy has very little value in terms of culture. Things that enrich culture are not very economically viable. This therefore means that the structure around those things has very little money to pay writers for example.
I think what I am trying to get at is my societal disillusionment and ongoing frustration with the structural position of things. This also extends into the art world. People can produce work without extensively looking into the implication and the historical positioning of it. The implications of what that behaviour is, this is extended across so many fields however. It is difficult to function in a society that creates a minority out of those who choose to ask the difficult questions and raise problematic issues to the forefront. Life can be lived in a type of blind modernity, man feeling its way through a smoothed tactile terrain. The machine of government and corporations rolling the path out to ensure that smoothness continues, no matter what is in front of the weighted roller.
This analogy is truthful and apt for the situation currently surrounding us. I do try to remain positive though and constantly educate myself of the system and what can be done. This is why I have put myself forward for the TARDIS placement within the school. To try and influence the next generation in a small way, to allow creative development and philosophical independence. Hopefully this work, along with my more tactile visual work will take steps to clarify my own place to me and to clarify what doors can open to allow others to also walk through.
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