The Art of the Age

Two points were highlighted in my mind from watching the "Why Artists Don't Make Money" video and our discussion about it:

1. Successful artists create value: And why should we expect otherwise? In this economy, if you don't create value (or pretend to create value, like financiers) then you can't speak. Spending money is free speech, as the US Supreme Court ruled recently. While we, aspiring creative people (let's forsake the term artist at this point) are encouraged to "follow our passion" and our ideas, we somehow must make a strong connection between those interests we are pursuing and the modern market. Like Tom Wolfe writes in "Painted Word," "artistic success is only real when noticed by 'Le Monde.'"
This reality struck me, for I strongly believe in the genuine pursuit of a concept or a theme that self-nurtures and may inspire some, if not many people, or none. But I have also started to look at art, creativity and career from a "realpolitik" point of view. Yes, it would be nice to work on a project that you truly love, but if its highly unnoticed or completely disregarded then what is the point? I don't think we should follow fashions and styles. We should most definitely develop our own ideas in their own timely manner. But adjustments have to made to insert public and money into our careers. As far as values is created, according to the panel in the video, it is almost detached from the piece you create itself. Contemporary art is a highly theoretical art, which you have some bullshit flexibility. Overall, what matters is how you explain your work, and connect it to the audience. Creativity must be explained in terms of value, and to be fair, value is not something explained entirely by economics. I think it also refers to moral and personal value,  which in the end is what the best clients and patrons support.


2. Computer Art is today's Avant-Garde:  Historically and conceptually, the Avant-Garde is that art which pushes the limits of society. The "real artists" take a look at the latest developments in society and switch everything around to reveal a new perspective on it. Marshall McLuhan wrote that artists were our only hope to make us aware of technology and its consequences. I believe he was right. Today, the paradigm is that of computers and their near absolute involvement in all human affairs. Artist who comment on these issues are , for me, the true artists of the 21st century, Of course, any artist can do whatever he or she wants, but in the end, I think that those who truly matter as "seers" and revolutionary are those dealing with computer technologies and/or commenting on them.

- Pedro