I thought the author had a very interesting view of artists and what makes them tick. Artists are just trying to share with everyone in their own way how to explain their view of the world. The Creative Process Steps almost say this in a way. I thought this was interesting, and I totally agree with it in that “[For viewers] to understand is to see through the rough image made by the artist’s hand and recognize the transcendental archetype that is the empowering source behind the image” (74). I didn’t really like how the author shared about his time smoking DMT. It almost gave me the feeling that he was supporting taking hard-core psychedelic drugs in order to get an “aha!” moment. When they say, “I was in my future painting and was being given an experience of the state in order to better create it” (79). He is basically saying that he needed to have hallucinations in order to make an awesome art piece. I think that’s a little messed up personally. I have met quite a few people who think they need to take drugs in order to have “spiritual” enlightenment and experiences and I think it is really sad. People should learn to get in touch with their spiritual side without the help of substances unhealthily changing your neurochemistry. What I really liked about this article is it gives people a taste of what life is like for an artist. They have a hard job because finding their true inspiration must be the hardest part of it all. The author states, “Artists must remain open to the tumultuous ocean of potential inspiration, the entire spectrum of consciousness, and yet reduce or essentialize that infinite ocean to a few flowing strokes from their own fountain, providing tangible evidence of inner discovery to the outer world” (80). There are so many possible subjects in the world and so many problems to try and portray, how could you choose which ones you would like to use? Then to have the pressure of your art being called legitimate or not when “the scale of legitimacy is the way that society interprets or confers success upon the work of art. The art object is related to or classified according to the preexisting definitions” (88). What if you as an artist do not agree with these preexisting definitions? Art has evolved a great deal in the last century or so and preexisting definitions of art have been challenged, so how does an artist go about changing preexisting definitions exactly? The next challenge for an artist is probably harder than finding inspiration I could imagine, is finding support and gaining success. It is a tough world to live in as an artist. I thought it was very interesting how the author kept mentioning chakras and energy pathways in the body. It is very similar to the meridian system in Chinese medicine that is used during acupuncture. These energy pathways don’t exist in theory, they have been found scientifically to actually be there. I think the author was right that “the chakra system is simple and has the virtue of visually tying spirit and mind to body” (94). I think the artist’s view of art is very new-aged and different. Most people would think this person was a major hippie, but I think there is something behind what they are saying. There’s a lot about the body that we will never understand, but we also will never understand creativity in people and how artists create. I think they have a point in tying the spiritual part to how artists function and create.
August 7, 2014 at 5:16 pm
You bring up some interesting points. One I have to disagree with you is when you talk about the author and how he, “is basically saying that he needed to have hallucinations in order to make an awesome art piece.” I don’t think he is indorsing it I just think that its his way of creating art. I like to compare that to what people think its art. Some people say some art is art and other isn’t because it is different. Even though the artists do things different and may have different styles at the end both have created art. Going back to the author, I believe that is his way of creating art and not him saying you should do drugs to get a “aha” moment. Some people just do things differently. For example when I am mad I like to go and walk it off. Some people like to go and workout others like to destroy things. At the end they are all expressing anger. Even though its different ways the end result is the same thing.