Comments on: Dare I ask? Just what IS the role of an artist in society today?

By: phil

phil — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:37:56 +0000

i have enjoyed this thread so much, i am linking it to all of my sites. my blogs get hundreds of hits from artists/musicians each day. my Facebook site has 600+ friends in the area. i believe this thread to be interesting to those of us who are actual full time artist.

thanx!

Phil

By: shiborigirl

shiborigirl — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 05:07:07 +0000

Hmmmm…
seems to me you said this:
”
Antonio Ruiz said:
I wonder why people stand on the sidelines and criticize instead of rolling up their sleeves and making change? Look, please add to the process by becoming involved. If you weren’t there, please talk to MORE people who were there. More importantly, get involved. This is a movement of people volunteers, not bureaucrats. This was not a one meeting process nor will it be. Change will only come when ALL of us become committed to change. As for diversity, the last time I checked I was not Eurocentric. Every effort was made to reach out and it continues. From the composition of the Steering Committee to the volunteers, we (and I know I am) are committed to making sure this process is a reflection of the city in which we live. Get involved. Roll up your sleeves and help make us make this happen. Talk is cheap. It’s the action that is very expensive.”
-on the LB Post.
and then this:
”
Antonio Ruiz said:
In response to recent postings: In law, defamation (also called calumny, libel, slander, and vilification) is the communication of a statement that makes a claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may give an individual, business, product, group, government or nation a negative image. It is often, but not always, a requirement that this claim be false, and, or alternatively, that the publication is made to someone other than the person defamed. In common law jurisdictions, slander refers to a malicious, false and defamatory spoken statement or report, while libel refers to any other form of communication such as written words or images. Most jurisdictions allow legal actions, civil and/or criminal, to deter various kinds of defamation and retaliate against groundless criticism. Related to defamation is public disclosure of private facts, which arises where one person reveals information that is not of public concern, and the release of which would offend a reasonable person. “Unlike [with] libel, truth is not a defense for invasion of privacy.” ”

-what???
Just wanted to set the record straight on that account. Those were direct quotes, by the way.
Spin doctoring doesn’t do anything for me but hey- you can fool some of the people some of the time.

Furthermore, you can believe anything you want to believe, work with anyone you want to-provided they want to work with you.
To date, I am not inspired or encouraged by any of this. In fact just the opposite. Doesn’t make me right or wrong, good or bad. It does however make me think about people like Millard Sheets and Ruth Asawa (among many others) who really did inspire, support, and encourage their communities artistically while at the same time continued to create their art.
Those are the kind of leaders I’m looking out for.
I have no interest in debates and strategies. You’re welcome to it.
(BTW- I removed your phone # from your reply)

By: Antonio Ruiz

Antonio Ruiz — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:56:43 +0000

At the risk of inviting more tempest in a teapot, let me be clear: I never accused you or other artists of not rolling up their sleeves and getting to work. I believe and have always believed that we are all, by nature, creative beings. I have nothing but high regard for those who make very large sacrifices in their lifestyles and their lives to pursue their desire to express their creativity. Notwithstanding the questions about my motives , I am an advocate for community based arts strategy. I believe in arts education in schools, community centers and in the streets. I believe we, as a city and as a people, need to update our strategy for where we want to go as a creative community. That includes the Arts Council, RDA policies on Public Art, LBUSD Arts Education policy, the politics of Arts, Development strategy and countless other connected public policy issues. We each have our own way of advocating for the Arts. Some do it by doing the arts. Practicing their craft and teaching. Others do it in the public policy arena. However, we do it, I want us all to inspire, support, and encourage each other. I promise not to ever get into a public spat about motives or accuse people of “not rolling up their sleeves”. What’s the point? No, instead I want to and will continue to reach out for partnerships to discuss, strategize, debate peacefully the best course for our community. I hope we can have a civil conversation; agree where we can and disagree to disagree when we must.

Thank you for this opportunity to clarify my position. (phone # removed)

By: shiborigirl

shiborigirl — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:09:16 +0000

wow- so many good thoughts here. i am keeping them all in mind as i continue on doing what i do-making, asking, questioning, sharing, and yes, selling!
we can only do what we do, be who we are.
one thought that does rise out of all the ideas shared here is that i think to me- civic sorts of participation leave me feeling so limited and confined. as an artist, maker, or whatever the heck you want to call it, i think i best leave that to others, lest i get all riled up again and spend valuable studio time writing lengthy blog posts on the matter. something else will come along. i am pretty sure of that!

By: jude

jude — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:50:17 +0000

in short, to me art is some sort of R&D, and it starts on a personal level, so i guess i would define an artist as some one who is focused on question asking and answering in the context of exploring something for the purpose of self development and understanding. then this leads me to the role of an artist in society as one who shares this knowledge unconditionally with the goal of making the world a better place. not unlike a teacher.
of course if we get into the commercial side of it, well it is a different story. i can’t call that art.

By: Tammie

Tammie — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:40:04 +0000

What is the roll of an artist? Full question.
I am so amazed and curious how someone would accuse you of not participating. The very nature of art is to follow ones own inner muse and imagination. A calling from deep within. As far as I can feel, art is a unique rising in each and every individual that changes and grows with who we are in each moment. Art can be judged but why bother, why not appreciate or move on. I feel that if there is any responsibility to society for an artist it is to be somewhat true to a deep inner calling. To be brave to express oneself creatively. This would then inspire appreciation, inspiration and maybe other experiences. For me art is something that has no boundaries. Someone accusing another of not participating and making change as an artist….. is avoiding being an artist themselves by spending their time elsewhere….

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:34:04 +0000

The role of the artist in society is that of a mirror strolling down the road. Nothing more, nothing less. The more art is institutionalized the more it’s intrinsic reflection is diminished. Too much over processing just seems to fog things up.

By: jeanne, herself

jeanne, herself — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:35:08 +0000

will do, glennis. they are percolating – just hard to distill and articulate just now. this is big for me. i live it. daily.

By: shiborigirl

shiborigirl — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:17:56 +0000

jeanne-
feel free to pop back in with more thoughts as they occur.

By: shiborigirl

shiborigirl — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 02:15:25 +0000

i like it- taking it to the people- kinda like trash for teaching!

ana- all i really hoped to accomplish with the kids in art class is get them to practice asking “what if”, trying it out, and learning from it. explore the possibilities. do something not related to testing.
one hour a week.