Two Worlds: Similarities and Differences
I awoke this morning earlier than planned, but in time to see this weeks episode of "Breakfast with the Arts" on the Arts and Entertainment (A&E) network. The annual Tribeca Film Festival is taking place where independent films are premiered. They had some great guests...the writers of a film titled "Jesus Camp" a film that has been exalted and despises by many. The David Lynch, the famous independent film maker discussed his personal path to success. He talked about how beginning with no skills, just a vision led him to devote himself to getting better. He figured he needed a degree of technical knowledge, but most important he needed to be able to convey his vision to the technical crew.
What caught my attention was the panel discussing the difference between the independent film maker and the big studios. One of the panel members said that an independent film is created without any distribution plans prior to making the film. It's being made for the art of the film, or a message the filmmaker needed to get out.
It made me think about artist success and why having a clarity about your art career is essential. I believe most of us are independent artists. We create art because we have to...it's our emotional and spiritual lifeline. Then there are artists who create for what would be the equivalent of the studios and that's the galleries. I'm not talking about co-op galleries, but privately owned galleries. There are artists who have made a career creating bodies of work, one they're established and have collectors, and like the big studios the galleries are looking at marketability. If that's the focus of the person providing you with an income, doesn't it seem that through osmosis or the transfer of universal energy or more simply a dictate from the gallery owner to create work with a certain feel, look, message or medium because they know that's what they can sell?
I'm not saying the artists at that point are abandoning their personal vision, but more about how the external forces impact their sense of creative freedom.
I guess art is art, and the opportunity to sell doesn't differ between mediums, visual or performance art. Are you personally better off to remain independent?
Your call to the life you want...
Greg
coaching artists to success
What caught my attention was the panel discussing the difference between the independent film maker and the big studios. One of the panel members said that an independent film is created without any distribution plans prior to making the film. It's being made for the art of the film, or a message the filmmaker needed to get out.
It made me think about artist success and why having a clarity about your art career is essential. I believe most of us are independent artists. We create art because we have to...it's our emotional and spiritual lifeline. Then there are artists who create for what would be the equivalent of the studios and that's the galleries. I'm not talking about co-op galleries, but privately owned galleries. There are artists who have made a career creating bodies of work, one they're established and have collectors, and like the big studios the galleries are looking at marketability. If that's the focus of the person providing you with an income, doesn't it seem that through osmosis or the transfer of universal energy or more simply a dictate from the gallery owner to create work with a certain feel, look, message or medium because they know that's what they can sell?
I'm not saying the artists at that point are abandoning their personal vision, but more about how the external forces impact their sense of creative freedom.
I guess art is art, and the opportunity to sell doesn't differ between mediums, visual or performance art. Are you personally better off to remain independent?
Your call to the life you want...
Greg
coaching artists to success
Comments