I've had a love/hate relationship with the words "art" and "artists" since I was a little kid. From a young age, I knew i wanted to be some kind of artists. I just really enjoyed making things. Arranging things, assembling things, giving them color and form always gave me satisfaction. I loved the way light hit certain objects, and the patterns i saw in natural and man-made forms, and tried to recreate my perceptions. I enjoyed trying to depict visions from my imagination, to make them a bit more real and communicate them with others. I drew inspiration from many kinds of artists. However, much of the "art world" that I've experienced has left me feeling alienated, confused, almost betrayed. So much of it struck me as pointless, cynical, disorienting entertainment for the rich and elite.
At the same time, as I got older, it became clear to me that being an activist and doing work to reach and empower people would be a major part of my life. I met and was influenced by a number of political artists (particularly those based on the lower east side) like Fly, Seth Tobocman, Eric Drooker, and others. I also met lots of political artists working in mediums like music, poetry, and theater. Their work and ways of working contrasted sharply with those of many artists represented by museums and mainstream galleries. The intersecting worlds of art, punk, and activism formed some semblance of an artistic community for me. However, I don't feel that I have the day-to-day feedback, inspiration, and support that I would if i was truly a part of this kind of community -- something that served as both anchor and sustenance for me.
One of the things i want to do is learn more about the history and current events of radical art in many forms. I'd like to brainstorm a list of topics, read books, research on the internet, go to events, write about this stuff, and share it with others. That will help me to find my place in one or more of these worlds, and not feel alienated, lost, or confused.
Cool post, Sarah.
Cool post, Sarah. I've had a similar set of feelings about academia, research, etc... being interested in academic topics like psychology, neuroscience, education theory, and so on, but feeling very alienated in the formal institutions in which those things are usually studied, taught, and discussed.
I was actually just about to write a post about that, and about my various interests and how to go about giving each of them more attention, planning, etc. And about what's inspired me in the past and what I'd like to do to pick some of those things up, and read, learn, and share my progress with them. What you wrote is inspiring me even more.
We've talked at times about having some kind of check-in or pattern of sharing where we're at with our self-education pursuits, like that semester idea. Posting on the site is one way, which would be a good way to get people from all over involved. We could also just informally talk, but I also just thought of something: What if we started having maybe biweekly meetings, in Manhattan or at our place, where everyone who can come is invited to share where they're at with self-education, self-discovery, and life in general? When we've had MYN meetings, they've usually focused on collaborative projects -- which is good, too -- but maybe those projects should follow from a base focus on our personal goals, learning pursuits, and so on?
Exactly!
I've been trying to get at that for a while too. That's the difference between collaborative projects and learning groups! In fact, check out the zine-group thread if you haven't already, cause that's where the conversation is going. Your last sentence is exactly what I just went off on there.
couldn't have put it better myself
we've been talking about this in person lately, so you know I agree with you. here's some thoughts though...
1) I think usually the rich art collectors are the "outsiders", not us. it's because they don't understand art that they spend so much money on it, trying to prove that they get it. I think to truly understand art you have to make it.
2) Most "statements" made in the post-post modern gallery world are statements about the art world, which is why no one gets it. I mean, just look at the term "post-post modern", which perfectly epitomizes the art world. everything is post-this, neo-that, it's like making a photocopy of a photocopy. it's all so encrypted in the past art movements that you have to be a art scholar to understand it, and even then you have to read something about the art to get it. it's rare for things to be just completely understandable by just looking at it these days.
3) for the sake of anyone who reads your post and comes to the same conclusion as you, I'd like to mention kathe kollwitz, as she is obviously a great source of inspiration for the more recent political artists you mentioned.
4) aside from just political art, graffiti is a noble use of art and is a direct statement of street-reclaimation, which overlaps with activism
5) I'm gonna start my self-education blog soon too. keep posting!