“The purpose of art actually is, in many cases, to make you feel quite uncomfortable. Or at least to go to that place that’s already of discomfort inside of you and tap into that.” Michael Moore
One sure way to secure disapproval is to create. Although “creatives” are often lauded for some enviable talent of making or doing something new, creatives are nevertheless often buoyed to a tether-less anchor. For, to create is to incite change and change is most often a fearful destination.
I once spent time in a special gallery of fine art in Carmel, CA. I would linger for hours, often engaged in deep discussion with the owner/curator who introduced my to the provocative art of Gevorg Yeghiazarian. “Great art,” he loved to remind me, “always draws mixed customer reviews. If everyone likes a piece, it probably is not great art. If everyone hates a work it is most likely not very good art either. But, if reviews are mixed—some love it, some don’t and still others don’t understand it. That piece, yes, that piece just might be good, even great, art.”
Such is the life of the creative. Creative expression is not about public approval or uniform appreciation. It is about revealing or proclaiming some internal truth demanding release to the public. And that truth is often uncomfortable. Radical creativity is more frequently rejected than praised. And sometimes for understandable rationale.
Creativity does not require acceptance of anyone but the creative herself.
If your expressions of creativity, whether it be in fine arts or in writing or in business… or even in politics meets with resistance or discomfort maybe, just maybe, your are producing great art… just out of sync with the times.
Creative Expression
Is More About the Joys of the Creator
Than the Approval of the Crowd
Photo courtesy of KatarzynaBialasiewicz at istockphoto
