Existentialism and the Artist
Jan 7th, 08 | 17 remarksMy recent burn-out has been moving from “dry spell” into “epidemic”. In whining to my friend about it over margaritas last night, this eventually led to a captivating discussion regarding Maslow’s Heirarchy of Needs as it applies to artists, and later, the importance of science versus art. I’ll admit I was not entirely lucid when this conversation took place, :) but the gist of it stuck with me and I’ve reflected on it again today with much more clarity.
In the field of science & engineering, we have things like electricity, nuclear weapons and space travel. In the field of art, we have things like Michaelangelo’s work on the Sistine Chapel, Picasso’s Guernica, and da Vinci’s The Last Supper. The fuel for the debate: What is more important to society as a whole… the work of scientists and engineers, or the work of great artists? Without one, can you really have the other?
You can’t have Yin without Yang.
This in turn got me thinking again about inspiration. It’s such a fleeting thing… it can set in without warning and disappear just as quickly. What’s more, it’s about as definitive as the answers to the questions above (as in, not at all). You never know what will inspire you or how. When you’re lacking inspiration, trying to cope with the deficiency just makes you more aware that you don’t have it. When you’re filled with it, you don’t even think about losing it… you’re too busy being productive.
The question remains then, just in a different context. Can you create something magnificent without inspiration… or feel inspired without experiencing magnificence? Doesn’t one feed the other? What if you have neither? What if your life was so wrapped up in tedium that your sense of normal becomes abnormal? (I think that’s part of my problem anyway.)
My friend’s advice in finding inspiration: forget about looking for it. Lose yourself and everything around you. Quit reading industry books and/or news. Don’t compete. Don’t monitor those who do. Forget what others think. This perspective is not so different from the one discussed by Tim Ferriss in his book The 4-hour Work Week. He calls it the low information diet.
Basically the premise is, none of it is that important - sift out the distractions and the bullshit, and you’ll be fine. Maybe that’s all you can do once you’ve reached a certain threshold. Just forget for a while.
I have been whining similarly to my husband about lack of motivation to sit at the computer and work. It’s so crazy, because I LOVE designing stuff and blogging. Very frustrating - I feel your pain, and it’s good to know I’m not alone!
Jan 8, 08 | 9:34 amI do too Randa, and I that’s probably what makes it so frustrating is that we DO love it. For a while I was attributing the lack of motivation to the holidays but now I don’t even have that excuse. :) Poor John - he has to listen to me whine even more than my friends. At least they get a break!
Jan 8, 08 | 12:48 pmAt first I was a little annoyed that this would be a philosophical discussion of inspiration. I’m glad I was wrong ;)
Forget about looking for it. Didn’t I say that a while ago?
It’s so true though. And I think the other part is to do away with the pressure of getting it done. I mean the psychological pressure of “If I don’t do this I’m going to be in big trouble.” The negative feelings, the tension. Make sense? Does it help? I know, I know, advice is nice, words sound good, but in application… not so much!
Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed with good design and despairing at your own ability? That’s what came to mind when you said put away the industry mags.
Can I suggest something? This sounds fun: let us help you! Can you write up some questions for us to help you with ideas? We can have a digital brainstorming session. I’m not sure if you client(s) would appreciate it broadcast to the world, so why not send an email instead? You can include me on the list! At least maybe this will get you excited about possibilities and help you see things in a new way. I always come away from brainstorming sessions energized and ready to get creative :)
Jan 9, 08 | 10:35 pm“Can you create something magnificent without inspiration… ?”, in my opinion it’s definitely YES! Nobody is in compete for yourself, so be yourself.. I agree with your friend’s advice you don’t have to compete with others.
Jan 9, 08 | 10:48 pmThat’s a nice idea Lauren! I’ve often thought that a private little forum for designers would be nice, where we could go when we get stuck and need to brainstorm. Sometimes just talking [typing] out loud about a project and tossing around ideas is what I need to get my creative juices flowing again.
Jan 10, 08 | 5:02 amYou HAVE said it before Lauren, and you’re right. I think I just wasn’t ready to receive the information if that makes sense. It’s difficult to throw up my hands entirely, but I’m rapidly approaching that point.
I’m also guilty of saying to myself “I don’t care, I need a mental break” but then thinking (and feeling guilty) all the while about the things I could or should be doing. It’s nothing but spinning wheels at that point.
Questioning my own ability is also usually part of the equation too. I think a private forum or discussion list? or something along those is a really good idea. But honestly I wouldn’t know what kind of questions to ask.
Jan 10, 08 | 11:04 am“I just wasn’t ready to receive the information” That makes total sense to me. I feel that way now about all the marriage advice I got before my wedding. I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad about not listening, I was just teasing ;) (maybe I needed to put a wink up there too!).
Can tell us what your stuck with and maybe we can ask the questions, you can clarify and then we can provide you with ideas? Maybe you’re not that kind of stuck, though.
And a forum would be cool, but all the ones I’ve visited are either too nice or too nasty; meaning all the feedback you get is either “Great job” or “What the *bleep* were you thinking? That’s awful!” There’s not enough constructive criticism. I think it has to be a closed forum (maybe that’s what you mean by private, Randa?) and by invite only, not to be exclusive, but rather to assure quality and community.
Jan 10, 08 | 1:09 pmYes, I was thinking of a closed forum where the focus would be on getting ideas for designs when you’re stuck, as much as throwing out a couple of concepts for people to comment on. For example, you’ve got a logo to design, but are totally stuck on what direction to go and need some people to brainstorm with. I don’t know if it would really work, or be frequented enough to be of use, but part of what I miss in working from home is the collaboration and brainstorming process that is so productive in an office environment. I have always experienced more creativity in groups than sitting at home by myself ruminating on a project.
Jan 10, 08 | 3:45 pmNo worries Lauren. I knew where you were coming from. :) I think I’m stuck in a really abstract way. It’s not a particular project or idea that’s troubling me, just a feeling of general discontent I guess. Sometimes it’s that I’m overwhelmed with all there is so keep track of or stay current with… other times it’s just starting with a blank canvas and having no sense of what to put on it! On the flip side of that I’ll have a picture in my mind but I’m unsure of how to actually create it in Photoshop, for example.
@Randa - rumination - GREAT word. I really miss the collaboration part of working outside the home too. There’s some measure of isolation that goes along with freelancing from home. Thankfully blogging helps to fill that void, but I still get bogged down in sometimes. It’s too easy to get tunnel vision when you’re the only one looking at a project.
Different perspectives (that are constructive) are so helpful, even if all involved are not always in agreement. A small-circuit forum could be really valuable in that aspect.
Jan 10, 08 | 6:25 pmIt sounds like you need a vacation, Charity! Does it help to talk about it a bit, at least? Sometimes when I feel that way, I’ll take time to learn. I’ll go do some Photoshop tutorials or read a book on design or color theory and that helps sometimes.
Randa, I know what you mean. It is so energizing to be with a bunch of creatives and come away from a meeting with so many ideas you don’t know where to start. It’s like that when I work on design or even just talking about what I’m doing with my husband (he does a lot of Web design and SEO). Quite a blessing to have him around!
Did you see this last post from John on Redsil (yes, that old blog of his!)
Jan 10, 08 | 11:06 pmLauren - It does help to talk about it, but I also worry about wearing people out on the topic. I decided to take your advice (from a previous conversation) and just play around without a particular goal or end product in mind. I cracked opened Photoshop and messed around with some desktop wallpaper concepts. I even enjoyed it. ;)
p.s. Jelly sounds like a really cool idea. I watched the video… how fun! I’m not keen on the idea of strangers in my house (or around my kids), but I have a couple friends who might be interested in a periodic arrangement like that. May have to give it a try.
Jan 11, 08 | 9:29 amI’m not weary of this topic yet, so talk away!
I think the Jelly thing works better for guys than girls (the safety thing does come to mind with inviting strangers in or going to strangers’ homes). Maybe a better arrangement would be to meet at a cafe (or other public location) every so often to discuss ideas and exchange concepts. I’m reminded of Inklings, the literary club that Tolkien and CS Lewis belonged to. It would’ve been cool to sit in on those meetings!!
Jan 11, 08 | 10:33 amThe more I learn about you, I’m convinced we have much more in common than meets the eye. ;) I LOVE Tolkien, and I’ve always wanted to read the Narnia series (it’s one of those “someday” things). I wasn’t aware of Inklings but now I’ll have to Google it just out of curiosity. Anyway I think you’re right, a meeting of sorts at a coffee house or someplace would be a good alternative.
By the way thanks for all the insight Lauren. It really does help.
Jan 11, 08 | 12:47 pmI looove Chronicles of Narnia, especially The Last Battle. They’re all good, though. I keep thinking I can rank them in order of most like to least like, but every time I read them I come to the conclusion that they’re all my favorite. I have them on audio CDs so it’s easy to listen to them while I work or during a car trip. The Last Battle is read by Capt. Picard himself, Patrick Stewart. In this colletion, all the books are read by British actors, so you really get the accents and everything. It’s great! Oh, and have you heard they are making Prince Caspian into a movie?! Woohoo!!
I’ve never made it through the LOTR books. In 8th grade, I wanted to start at the beginning with Silmerillion. Oh that was so boring. That turned me off of his books until I was in college and read The Hobbit. Awesome book. Then I started on LOTR and couldn’t get past Rivendell in the first book. There was too much description and not enough action for me. I’ve been meaning to try them again.
For now I’m very happy with (reading the paper books by) Ted Dekker, Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle :D I also like listening to the Harry Potter series read by Jim Dale. He does a great job with the voices!
I’m glad my little suggestions make a difference for you, Charity. And thanks for letting me know; it means a lot :) I like helping!
Jan 11, 08 | 1:04 pmYour comments hate me, Charity. You’ll probably have to take the link out (but that’s ok, I included it for you anyway).
Jan 11, 08 | 1:06 pmUgh, I wish I could solve this link thing. Your comment is even showing up as an approved comment - not in moderation or Aksimet. Go figure. I can’t believe only one link would hang it up.
Anyway, Harry Potter is another one on my list of things to read, definitely. :) I read the Hobbit when I was 14 and was completely smitten with it. I’ve read it probably 5 more times over the years. Tried reading LOTR several times in high school but it never held my interest either. Finally read the whole series in my mid 20’s. Well worth the time! If you like epic type novels I highly recommend The Thornbirds and also The Lonesome Dove series. It’s still one of my all-time faves.
Jan 11, 08 | 4:30 pmI wonder if it has to do with how many links are in the comments for the whole page? Or the number the comment with the links is (like is it always, say, comment #5 on a post?).
Well I’m in my mid-20’s so I’ll have to read it! Lonesome Dove, that was a TV series (or mini-series) too, wasn’t it? Related to the books? I’ll have to look into those you’ve suggested!
If you like fantasy/adventures, read Timeline by Michael Crichton (but don’t see the movie, ugh!). It’s really exciting. Modern archaeologists go back in time to the Middle Ages. That sounds kinda corny, but it’s lots of fun.
Jan 11, 08 | 6:21 pm