Petar’s post on 'Nature in Contemporary Fantastic Art' struck a few cords with me. I found, a little ways in, he was pointing out that artists could and should depict more intentionally. He was talking about what I call ‘creative responsibility’.
The presence of Nature in the bulk of work today was a major point of concern in his article – for my part, I appreciate this – and he went on to explore the reasons for why it seemed increasingly absent.
One of his reasons was that maybe we are simply “following the current trends and hypes…In other words – our unscrupulous professionalism” is the driving force?
He observed that in the increasing absence of nature, “violence, destruction, deviance, weirdness and ugliness” is the popular “state of mind” being reflected back onto the world.
I have considered versions of this subject, noticing the trends with writers and entertainment at large, and of course art is an irrevocable link in that chain. But art should not be without its creator’s values. If we are visualizing the trends of philosophy, what we are visualizing is just as important a consideration as how and for whom.
But it isn’t a one-time consideration. Being conscious of the value of the stories we depict along with concern for the value of the depiction itself would build artistic integrity. The work grows in proportion to the mind behind it, no?
Being highly imaginative as we are, there is power in our imagery – and to take a nerdy moment – ‘with great power comes great responsibility’. Even though, being artists, we keep largely away from public reception, our work goes places, the concepts and stories they represent go places, so let’s be aware of what we take on to illuminate and put forth.
To use Petar’s proposed term, “unscrupulous professionalism” shouldn’t need to be the mental state of a creative individual. Perhaps those veterans in the business would consider my thoughts naïve and idealistic, but I do not hold that we need anything prefacing “professionalism” in order to have both employment and principled work.
And if I can assume as such, it is comforting to think some of what Petar has proposed is of similar philosophy.
To view some of Petar's work, check out his website here.
The presence of Nature in the bulk of work today was a major point of concern in his article – for my part, I appreciate this – and he went on to explore the reasons for why it seemed increasingly absent.
One of his reasons was that maybe we are simply “following the current trends and hypes…In other words – our unscrupulous professionalism” is the driving force?
He observed that in the increasing absence of nature, “violence, destruction, deviance, weirdness and ugliness” is the popular “state of mind” being reflected back onto the world.
I have considered versions of this subject, noticing the trends with writers and entertainment at large, and of course art is an irrevocable link in that chain. But art should not be without its creator’s values. If we are visualizing the trends of philosophy, what we are visualizing is just as important a consideration as how and for whom.
But it isn’t a one-time consideration. Being conscious of the value of the stories we depict along with concern for the value of the depiction itself would build artistic integrity. The work grows in proportion to the mind behind it, no?
Being highly imaginative as we are, there is power in our imagery – and to take a nerdy moment – ‘with great power comes great responsibility’. Even though, being artists, we keep largely away from public reception, our work goes places, the concepts and stories they represent go places, so let’s be aware of what we take on to illuminate and put forth.
To use Petar’s proposed term, “unscrupulous professionalism” shouldn’t need to be the mental state of a creative individual. Perhaps those veterans in the business would consider my thoughts naïve and idealistic, but I do not hold that we need anything prefacing “professionalism” in order to have both employment and principled work.
And if I can assume as such, it is comforting to think some of what Petar has proposed is of similar philosophy.
To view some of Petar's work, check out his website here.
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ReplyDeleteReading this makes me appreciate having a creative mind. Even as society changes, ideas, or philosophy. Artists: visual, philosophical, scientific, what have you are needed to sustain culture, a balance and a response to that society. With out creativity there would be no concept of creation or life for that matter. Thank you for posting this and sharing Petar's work.
ReplyDeleteMeeting him in person and watching him paint just made me want to pick up a brush or draw along side with him. Being with other artists and seeing him work just gives me new energy and passion for my own
It was great to see some of my own concerns paralleled by someone well established in the field. I think it imperative to 'look ahead', to look more thoroughly as creators, and own it as a feature of our skills. And while we often serve to reflect humanity's status, we can yet do more; we can inspire mind-sets, we can 'light beacons'.
ReplyDeleteI remember our time at Petar's lecture last Illuxcon. It was great we got an extended demonstration out of the deal!
Thanks for your comments, Emily!
Checking back on Petar's blog, I found there has been more discussion.
ReplyDeletePetar has posted the same post on the 'Muddy Colors' blog, which received further commentary and feedback.
To read more opinions, follow here:
http://muddycolors.blogspot.com/2012/09/on-nature-in-contemporary-fantastic-art.html