This makes me think a lot about entitlement - the confidence one gets from an assured and stable future. I heard about a survey that documented lower/middle-class kids and upper-class kids interactions with doctors. The report found that the upper-class kids tended to request doctors to clarify their terms or asked them questions. They basically assumed that the doctors worked for them and their authority was no threat. On the other hand, the lower/middle class kids would take the doctors comments as a final judgement. There were no questions, not even an inkling a question could be asked. I imagine it is the same with artists - one has to believe so much in ones work that an inner-entitlement is found, despite how one is raised, how ones economic status has formed their identity, or the security that one feels within the trappings of circle of people able to collect artwork. I'm sure there are some amazing, talented people in the world who never been given the opportunity to recognize their talent, albeit even participate in the art world.
I wonder, is art-making only for people with means? One reason I stopped making art in the 90's was to become a teacher in order to earn a living. After 20+ years creating a stable financial life, I resumed my art practice, albeit in an altered form. I've been thinking about how stability, not angst or the stress of being unable to afford materials, allowed me to find my artistic way.
How would income redistribution, or simply just tax laws for the wealthy, impact creativity? I imagine millions of beautiful minds focusing on big questions instead of on how to pay rent or secure food.
Were you invisible to them? Or is it simply that they are unable to discern between a practice that makes qualitative judgements independent of ones posited solely on external success?
This makes me think a lot about entitlement - the confidence one gets from an assured and stable future. I heard about a survey that documented lower/middle-class kids and upper-class kids interactions with doctors. The report found that the upper-class kids tended to request doctors to clarify their terms or asked them questions. They basically assumed that the doctors worked for them and their authority was no threat. On the other hand, the lower/middle class kids would take the doctors comments as a final judgement. There were no questions, not even an inkling a question could be asked. I imagine it is the same with artists - one has to believe so much in ones work that an inner-entitlement is found, despite how one is raised, how ones economic status has formed their identity, or the security that one feels within the trappings of circle of people able to collect artwork. I'm sure there are some amazing, talented people in the world who never been given the opportunity to recognize their talent, albeit even participate in the art world.
Thanks for this piece, Pablo.
I wonder, is art-making only for people with means? One reason I stopped making art in the 90's was to become a teacher in order to earn a living. After 20+ years creating a stable financial life, I resumed my art practice, albeit in an altered form. I've been thinking about how stability, not angst or the stress of being unable to afford materials, allowed me to find my artistic way.
How would income redistribution, or simply just tax laws for the wealthy, impact creativity? I imagine millions of beautiful minds focusing on big questions instead of on how to pay rent or secure food.
Were you invisible to them? Or is it simply that they are unable to discern between a practice that makes qualitative judgements independent of ones posited solely on external success?