The Dreaded C-Words

In 1984 Suzi Gablik made this observation about the effect that Modernism, and Post-Modernism, had upon art and culture: that the “values of the marketplace” had replaced or undermined any sense of a “meaning-giving function” in the art being created. Artists found themselves in a cultural and economic system that rewarded those who created commodities that met the needs of the Art Market.  As Andy Warhol stated, “Why do people think artists are special? It’s just another job.”

In this 2011 article from Intelligent Life magazine Warhol is described as “the art market’s one-man Dow Jones.”  It would seem that Gablik’s observations about the influence of the marketplace upon current art markets has not declined over the past 27 years but increased.  More than ever it would seem that art has become a commodity.

Even on the local level there is influence – a general sameness in what is being offered, a cautious refusal to take risks outside of the most deliberately provocative markets - risks that go both ways, toward the avant-garde as well as toward traditionalism. And while Gablik did not foresee the equalizing influence of the internet, she did address the negative consequences of our cultural slide into Pluralism, where so many ideas about the value and purpose in art, offered by so many artists each exploring unlimited freedom of expression, have muddied the waters to the point that our culture has lost a sense of any “pattern of meaning” in the art it promotes.

Realistically, considering the social and economic environment that exists today, an artist cannot ignore the forces of the marketplace unless he is willing to withdraw completely and work in isolation, seeking neither recognition nor income. But in our own art practice, whether we are working for profit, for recognition, for pleasure, or for anything else,  are we - or should we be - confronting the dreaded C words?

No, not commodity.  

I am thinking more about these C words:

Creativity

Courage

Compassion

Compulsion

Culture

Creativity is the conceptual opposite of commodity. Courage is necessary to resist the status-quo and to live a creative life in harmony with one’s inner values. Compassion allows the artist to find his path between the competing interests of the market and his authentic artistic voice.  Compulsion drives the artist’s need to reflect the image of the world as he sees it in both his art and his practice, and culture is the carrier of all that we value. 

What is our art for? 

What is your art for?

Please leave your comments, ideas, thoughts…

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Comments

[jeux roulette]

I think a writer should begin there and not fear about anything else until they can do that first.

[sue]

Maggie - I think you brought some great ideas into the discussion - thank you. How do we, as artists, learn to balance the competing pressures and create work that does not sink to the level of mass-produced big box imports?

[maggie]

Thanks, Sue, for a thoughtful post. Here is my rather overly long response.

I think that some styles and types of art have always been treated as commodities. Certainly many types of ancient art that we now revere were originally meant for the marketplace. And let's not forget that Impressionism rose, in part, as a response to the growing middle class in European society who could actually entertain the thought of enough discretionary income to purchase artwork. Those 19th-century painters were creating and supplying a market.

But why do we make art, aside from the obvious commercial reasons? For me, it's one of those Cs you list—Compulsion. I don't always have a choice; I feel driven to paint, draw, dance, write, and sing.

Whatever the medium, they are all simply the vehicles for my deep need to tell stories. I think that's the C that corresponds to Culture.

Courage, Creativity, and Compassion all grow out of that basic need and help create my "product."

Without the other 4 Cs, Compulsion makes artwork into a commodity, and you can find plenty of that kind of artwork at a big box chain store.

[sue]

Lori - Thanks!
Joan - "I believe the purpose of all art is to create an emotional response in humans - be it positive or negative" Yes, I completely agree with your viewpoint. And I appreciate your approach.
Tracy - I like your addition of "Coincide." I think you are right in that there must be a coming together of many ideas to create successfully.

[TracyWall]

As usual Sue, a thoughtful and insightful post that gives me food for thought.

I know I wrestle with each of those 'C' words often and readjust my work/values to meet my ever-changing definitions.

The most difficult C for me is "coincide", because for me all 5 of your "C's" need to happen at the same time in order to hit that sweet spot of perfect creation.

[Joan]

My mission statement is: To create visual materials that provide beauty, peace, serenity - and sometimes a touch of humor." I believe the audience for all art is humans. I believe the purpose of all art is to create an emotional response in humans - be it positive or negative. Thanks for this post.

[Lori Landis]

Terrific commentary!