What is your responsibility to society as an artist?

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Permalink Reply by Mark Langan on September 14, 2010 at 3:02pm

This is real deep Nico, I like it! My personal thoughts are doing the very best you can with what you have. This I do pretty much with all aspects of life whether it be making my art, dinner, cutting grass, conversation and so on. Obviously not to "kill yourself" over all but by trying to put your best efforts forward. My Father's words of wisdom..."The world owes you nothing, it will keep spinning long after you are gone."

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Permalink Reply by Wayne Harjula on September 14, 2010 at 6:28pm

I'm Glad Mark jumped in first, thank you
These are questions we should all tackle today, so in brief...

I would love to advance society although I get distracted in front of large crowds, and my voice gets a little squeaky as I loose my breath, so small ripples of advancement while I grow is fine…I'd like to think my ideas can inspire others to follow a path of inquiry.
I make my art as a personal endeavor, yet consider often how I would like to be seen by society. I have nothing to prove in greatness, but I enjoy public respect for continuing my passion amidst uncertainty. I work to achieve the most ambitious work I can at the present moment, or why else would I be an Artist?
Often when I go out into the random mess of the world I see many people who seem lost and seek fresh entertainment to ease their troubles and to use distractions to lessen deeper thought for themselves, very useful during a depression and a lightening rod for creative producers to learn to deliver a positive message for help.
Invariably an audience more receptive to my ideology will often be other artistic types who have innate self discipline to tackle creative processes that appear to have little consequence to outside life. I do know that seeking beauty, humor and enlightenment is a reoccurring subject and appeals to a majority of art viewers, a subject that I can comfortably pursue, yet the story, controversy or ugly bits is in the details, and may appear tedious or unimportant to learn. I choose to leave it to the viewer to unravel.
Does the society have a responsibility to let you make your art?
I think society chooses a judge to approve on behalf of the nation the relevance and commitment of the creation at hand. Price can often sway the balance of achievement, but again as society often only sees the end result (the web is changing this) we often assume the finished work is a perfect statement. I don't know about you but all my work is unfinished and in a state of transition to move me forward. I forget sometimes which was the best path I took but I am self satisfied I have moved along nicely and not sought too much industry to muddy my mind with crudity and subversion and fizzle my creativity in blind repetition or stunted trends.
With this in mind, during my lifetime of creating 'stories' I believe society can have responsibility to nurture creativity beyond a good proposed business scheme.
Am I a good investment? Most certainly, I chose to walk this earth and with my lifetime of observations bring solidity to considerate thoughts and present living ambiance, knowing full well my intention is to serve a human purpose of culture.
I have submitted to many kinds of art making, it is relevant to be social at some point and the effort to exhibit myself helps un-clutter my studio/mind for a briefing and re-evaluation.
Do you feel like you have a responsibility to society to make your art?
I have a responsibility to show my art and society can help me communicate my beliefs.

Writing these conversations brings me into yet another creative medium, thank you Nico for asking them.

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Permalink Reply by Michael J. Menna on September 16, 2010 at 11:14am

The resposibility of any performing artist is simple. To tell the truth as they see it whether it be in the form of a song, a dance, a picture or the spoken word. Subjectivity and not objectivity are why I said, "As They See It".To tell a story that conveys some sort of truth, to dance where the movement itself speaks of a certain truth or singing the lyrics to a song that speak of truth and to create a vision of some sort (a fine art piece,eg; sculpture, painting, multi media, etc.)that envokes the truth. Truth is there whether we like it or not. I'm glad you used the word, resposibility.Because that's the artists' job, function, mission or whatever you want to call it. That's why it takes ten years or so to develop a technique that explains and defines , "A TRUTH OF SOME SORT".ONCE I HAD REALIZED THAT TRUTH, MY PERCEPTION OF ART AND WHAT PLACE IT tAKES IN MY LIFE CHANGED IMMENSELY. MY PERSONALITY, MY VIEWS, THOUGHTS, IDEAS, GOALS,MORALS, EVERYTHING CHANGED! EVEN THE RESPECT I HAVE FOR MYSELF AND OTHER HUMAN BEINGS CHANGED. That's why we cannot abandon the arts in schools grade 1 thru 12. That artistic chord of connection is what humanizes us all. Thank you.
Mixchael Menna, Artisitic Director, No Ho Jazz Dance & Theatre Ensemble, LA, CA

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Permalink Reply by Josef-Peter Roemer on September 16, 2010 at 1:27pm

I prefer the way artists are treated in German society, in Germany an artist becomes special privileges. Such as an artist does not need to register for a business license, becomes medical insurance if the majority of the income is from the art, min. of 3500 euros per year. and charges only 1/2 of sales tax to customers. Also does not need to keep accounting books. I feel I need to show society what I think of them in some of my art, I should have the right to make art whether society approves of it or not. I prefer to show societies short comings with or without their approval.

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