You and I are writing about very similar things right now! These quotes from Boris Groys helped shape what I think about sharing art. "Under the regime of (art) theory, it is not enough to live: One must also demonstrate that one lives, one must perform being alive."
Also
"To live is to be exposed as living (and not as dead) to the gaze of the Others"
At the moment, I'm trying to figure out why I want to share my photographic work. Is it because I want to chase "likes" or what is it. I love taking pictures - the act of taking them and maybe edit a bit to make them look nice. But then what? If that's the point, then I could just delete them again? :D
Anyways, I do some writing now. About fatherhood and family life - and that's mostly for myself, as I explore some aspects of myself that I wouldn't think too much about. But I share them here to motivate me to get it done and work with it.
I want people to see it of cause, but mostly to have a dialogue with other people and their experiences.
I can understand the argument for creating purely for the joy of it.. but I do feel like sharing is a way of communicating, and a way of connecting. Art expresses who we are, and it shouldn't pander to who others think we ought to be. I think getting things out into the world and letting them have a life beyond our hard drives is a way of closing the loop, the piece is finished and doesn't need infinite tinkering. In the process we learn how to edit, sequence and maybe put words to images, refining what we think and possibly understanding why we made it in the first place. This is what I tell myself anyway!
I completely agree with what you said about detaching yourself from the art you share. That’s how I approach it too.
I think sharing art can be really valuable. I don’t hold back from sharing anymore because I enjoy putting little bits of inspiration or joy out there. And of course, you can’t receive feedback if you never share.
That said, I don’t believe unshared art is pointless. If someone takes the time to create something, that alone has value, even if it’s never shown to anyone.
Hello! I’m a new subscriber and I’m so glad I found this piece. You did an excellent job getting inside my head! How did you do that? Thank you for sharing it. I have been thinking lately a lot about this exact topic and to be honest, I’m a little frustrated With the anxiety around my multitude of photos and writings as well. Reading what you wrote brought me some peace. Just to know that I’m not the only one pondering this topic makes me feel less of an oddball! As an aside, Vivian Maier actually did attempt at one point to create postcards of her images when she started working with a man in France, but something happened and that never took off. Just goes to show you that we all have a little inkling of a desire to share what we create, even if we don’t carry it to fruition. Thank you again.
Thank you so much, it means a lot to read this, happy the piece resonated. Also for me, writing things like that, it’s the realization that I’m not alone with these thoughts that really bring some peace. And thanks for the piece of info on Maier, I did not know that part.
I would postulate that everyone has an audience they want to communicate with, are communicating with internally at least, though the audience may not be named yet. There may be multiple audiences, unnamed. Creation, on the other hand, a found joy, is a process of practice. It's retelling a story to it's particular audience. Finessing it. Getting it right. And it's ever so hard to get it right.
Thank you for this thought provoking piece, and I especially like this part:
> I am able to still create work with the same intention, for the sake of creating, without an audience in mind. I can still see the work as completed, simply by existing, by encapsulating my emotions and helping me work through things. Anything I create, I first and foremost create for me, however that may look like, whatever that may mean. Once this part is completed, I can go back to my body of work and try to find pieces that could work for someone else.
And as you say later, you have not tested this theory in practice because you arrived at that conclusion writing the piece itself. For me, I find that regular free writing is a way to both write for myself and then, look for something to present to others (which is more or less the process you are proposing). A lot of times I am glad simply to have my thoughts on the page, without needing to present them elsewhere. But yeah, two means of thought are involved, one just getting in touch with my mind, and then another, editing something to share to others, and it works.
I loved this piece! I had such a recent experience of the every-reading-is-a-different-version idea, re-reading Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach series - the first time I thought it was good, but diffcult to visualise. On the second read (with the new fourth book), it was so gripping that I didn't understand how I thought about it last. Also on the same page as you in sharing the smallest amount of my work, but it's so nice to capture something in the moment, and maybe send it around when the film comes back, that I have no want to share it online sometimes?? Rambling, but adore your writing!!
You and I are writing about very similar things right now! These quotes from Boris Groys helped shape what I think about sharing art. "Under the regime of (art) theory, it is not enough to live: One must also demonstrate that one lives, one must perform being alive."
Also
"To live is to be exposed as living (and not as dead) to the gaze of the Others"
I resonate a lot with your writing.
At the moment, I'm trying to figure out why I want to share my photographic work. Is it because I want to chase "likes" or what is it. I love taking pictures - the act of taking them and maybe edit a bit to make them look nice. But then what? If that's the point, then I could just delete them again? :D
Anyways, I do some writing now. About fatherhood and family life - and that's mostly for myself, as I explore some aspects of myself that I wouldn't think too much about. But I share them here to motivate me to get it done and work with it.
I want people to see it of cause, but mostly to have a dialogue with other people and their experiences.
I can understand the argument for creating purely for the joy of it.. but I do feel like sharing is a way of communicating, and a way of connecting. Art expresses who we are, and it shouldn't pander to who others think we ought to be. I think getting things out into the world and letting them have a life beyond our hard drives is a way of closing the loop, the piece is finished and doesn't need infinite tinkering. In the process we learn how to edit, sequence and maybe put words to images, refining what we think and possibly understanding why we made it in the first place. This is what I tell myself anyway!
I completely agree with what you said about detaching yourself from the art you share. That’s how I approach it too.
I think sharing art can be really valuable. I don’t hold back from sharing anymore because I enjoy putting little bits of inspiration or joy out there. And of course, you can’t receive feedback if you never share.
That said, I don’t believe unshared art is pointless. If someone takes the time to create something, that alone has value, even if it’s never shown to anyone.
Very interesting read! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
I came here after this article was mentioned by @juliettmansour. It seems your powerful conclusion is resonating and spreading...Thank you!
Hello! I’m a new subscriber and I’m so glad I found this piece. You did an excellent job getting inside my head! How did you do that? Thank you for sharing it. I have been thinking lately a lot about this exact topic and to be honest, I’m a little frustrated With the anxiety around my multitude of photos and writings as well. Reading what you wrote brought me some peace. Just to know that I’m not the only one pondering this topic makes me feel less of an oddball! As an aside, Vivian Maier actually did attempt at one point to create postcards of her images when she started working with a man in France, but something happened and that never took off. Just goes to show you that we all have a little inkling of a desire to share what we create, even if we don’t carry it to fruition. Thank you again.
Thank you so much, it means a lot to read this, happy the piece resonated. Also for me, writing things like that, it’s the realization that I’m not alone with these thoughts that really bring some peace. And thanks for the piece of info on Maier, I did not know that part.
Of course, Birgit! I think you should also read my latest post. :) You had a big impact on me today!!
I would postulate that everyone has an audience they want to communicate with, are communicating with internally at least, though the audience may not be named yet. There may be multiple audiences, unnamed. Creation, on the other hand, a found joy, is a process of practice. It's retelling a story to it's particular audience. Finessing it. Getting it right. And it's ever so hard to get it right.
Thank you for this thought provoking piece, and I especially like this part:
> I am able to still create work with the same intention, for the sake of creating, without an audience in mind. I can still see the work as completed, simply by existing, by encapsulating my emotions and helping me work through things. Anything I create, I first and foremost create for me, however that may look like, whatever that may mean. Once this part is completed, I can go back to my body of work and try to find pieces that could work for someone else.
And as you say later, you have not tested this theory in practice because you arrived at that conclusion writing the piece itself. For me, I find that regular free writing is a way to both write for myself and then, look for something to present to others (which is more or less the process you are proposing). A lot of times I am glad simply to have my thoughts on the page, without needing to present them elsewhere. But yeah, two means of thought are involved, one just getting in touch with my mind, and then another, editing something to share to others, and it works.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and work.
I loved this piece! I had such a recent experience of the every-reading-is-a-different-version idea, re-reading Jeff Vandermeer's Southern Reach series - the first time I thought it was good, but diffcult to visualise. On the second read (with the new fourth book), it was so gripping that I didn't understand how I thought about it last. Also on the same page as you in sharing the smallest amount of my work, but it's so nice to capture something in the moment, and maybe send it around when the film comes back, that I have no want to share it online sometimes?? Rambling, but adore your writing!!