…and neither do they mean what they used to, just like so many other words in our language. Hijacked by the marketing/ public relations industry to add integrity to whatever they are selling, even if it is a total lie.
The word sustainable is another example. Not so long ago Rudolf Steiner described sustainable as a way we should live in order that our destructive impact on the planet could be drastically minimalised. He suggested we adopt a self-sufficient lifestyle, living off the land, and specifically only taking from Nature what Nature can replace itself, essentially foraging. Rather than continue on the path to extinction by having others provide what we need and having to earn money to pay for it. His warning went unheeded, but the word sustainable has now found a new meaning. To sell us yet more destructive government policies (renewable energy, for example)), as well as add value to products that are neither good for the planet or for us.
The word Art went through a similar transmutation, and so successfully it is hard to imagine meaning anything else, ie what artists make. But to me I see Art differently. Something we all are capable of, a unique ability we are born with to express our thoughts and feelings through creating. Whether it be making our home more personal, crafting something as a gift, writing a blog or a book, cooking a special meal, planting a garden, or composing a song, whatever feels appropriate. As long it comes uniquely from within us and is not simply copying someone else or a means to earn a living.
Which brings me to The Arts, which sound the same, but in fact have nothing to do with Art. The Arts are merely yet another tool politicians and businesses use to control us, and to sell us things. Which they have done so convincingly that most people no longer feel they are good enough to make them for themselves. All that latent passion and energy suppressed. Replaced by an addiction to buy instead.
They’ve achieved this by conditioning us to believe that artists are the only ones worthy of creating anything, because they have gone through a special training process and then been judged by experts as to whether they are good enough. Those who succeed, being rewarded by status, wealth and celebrity.
So instead of everyone being creative, only a handful do it now. Which is very sad, and in my mind it is one of the major reasons why we feel so disconnected and depressed. But it needn’t be like this. Most of history’s gifted musicians/ painters/ illustrators/ sculptors/ gardeners/ cooks/ writers et al were self-taught. So while it may be mandatory if you want to work in The Arts (theatre/ music/ film/ publishing/ restaurants…) to be suitably qualified and accepted, the majority of those who do succeed end up in roles where they are never permitted to contribute anything of their own creativity.
The Arts is a scam, aka The Emperor’s New Clothes.
Not only that, it is a tragic waste of public money. Money which should have been spent on restoring the damaged ecology, as well as ensuring no-one ever needs to suffer. But instead goes on what must be the antithesis of creativity. Spending at least 50% of its budget on unnecessary administration, and at least another 40% on buildings and maintenance, staff and infrastructure to run them. Leaving only a tiny fraction left to do any of what they claim to offer. Incredible. All that money to provide education, arts centres, theatres, concert halls, cinemas, galleries, museums, television and radio, literature and music. And not one of them is actually engaged in doing anything creative.
What’s more, at a time when our planet literally is on the brink of collapse, when everyone feels so lost and without hope, The Arts are not helping. At best they offer a distraction, entertainment. At worst they have become so addictive that most people exist in their imaginary world, unaware of what is happening to the real one.
I feel particularly aggrieved about this, hence the rant, because here in Shetland our local council (Shetland Islands Council, or as I prefer to think of them the Socially Irresponsible Cartel), is a lot wealthier than most. Thanks to a vast tithe paid to them by the energy industry (oil, gas, wind, hydrogen). But instead of using this windfall to clean up the environmental mess, it is diverted into pointless vanity projects and what the Shetland Charitable Trust and Shetland Arts deem appropriate.
Such delights as the Mareel (an Arts Centre that was never needed) and the Bonhoga (an arts & craft gallery). Both located around the only major town (Lerwick), so basically inaccessible to the majority who live elsewhere on the various islands of the archipelago, and totally inaccessible to those on low incomes (pensioners especially) or reliant on public transport.
Which we are supposed to feel grateful for. Yet, despite the millions those two projects have spent on our behalf since the 1970s, all we have to show for it is a once rich and diverse ecology dying, and a population who previously created most things for themselves, now totally reliant on buying everything.
I appreciate I can’t change any of this, but surely if we do have to endure this terrible waste of public money then The Arts should at least be trying to do more.
So here’s a few suggestions, for Shetland Arts in particular.
That the Mareel should stop being only for those who can afford it. It’s current commercial slant is entertainment, not Art, and should be left to the private sector to provide.
The Mareel and the Bonhoga should focus instead on providing spaces and technicians/ resources so anyone can come and make their own Art, for free, without the need to be taught anything. As well to be able to share what they make with everyone else.
No more Artist Residencies. Artists are not special and it is patently unfair to divert limited funds to just one person, especially when they are selected by a non-accountable panel.
No more Arts Education. You can’t and should never seek to teach anyone Art. Only offer the technical support when they ask for it.
Arts Therapy is not Art.
Books & Book Festivals. Selling and promoting books, other than to pay for the cost of printing, is a business not Art.
There are many more suggestions, but for the moment I’ll leave it there.
Finally, if you are interested in the image I have used, it is a painting (entitled Sevilla) which was given to me by a person who attends an arts centre in the town of Aracena, near where I used to live in Spain. They have never been taught how to paint and do not seek help at the centre, just a space to do it in. The range and quality of everything else produced there is equally as stunning. All free to use.
Similarly in rural Spain, people give their time and creativity in other ways. Fiestas are a good example. There are many of these, far more than you could ever imagine. And all the decoration and entertainment is traditionally provided free by people hosting them. It is not about business, just a celebration of life. We could all benefit from their example.
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