What Can You Take Away From the TSA Patdowns?

If the world is our classroom, then the TSA is reminding us of something important.

The public wants a positive outcome but not at the expense of having everything revealed. 

The lesson for the artist is the same. Our desire for that positive outcome should not be impeded by an  insecure need to show everything or to invade the client's personal space.  We - the creatives here - must trust that the public will fulfill their part of the bargain - finding enjoyment and meaning in the art for themselves.

Don't create like an overzealous screener, having to show every detail, knowing exactly what any mysterious shape might be.

For the public there is no pleasure in the experience.  Your work ends up as a two-second pause while they scan for something that actually interests them, and you waste any opportunity you had. 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Carol Lee Beckx]

Good advice - so often we want our viewers to understand only 'our' story in a painting - we forget they would really like to discover their own interpretation

[Sue Smith]

Thanks, Chris B. Sometimes its a b-i-i-i-i-gstretch just for me to get out of the chair!

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[Chris B]

My first thought was that this was a b-i-i-i-i-g stretch when I read the headline and first line, but you made a good point in the end. Bravo!