Performing Artists… who are these people?
How do we find the gateways to create? How do we generate pathways to creativity?
It looks different for each person. Each artist has their own lived experience and community that influence them and the different communities they interact with day to day.
However, performing artists find themselves stuck. I am always hearing about this, I’m in the club. I’m over it, I’m over being stuck and want to do things my way. Artists are constantly finding themselves being stuck. Whether it be financial, access to resources, inspiration, or other basic needs.
Why is this?
It is an unfortunate common theme, that society and artists accept, the mythology of the starving artist. This mystic creature called the artist, misunderstood and inaccessible. This mythological artist does only one thing, they suddenly appear with stunning art that is inexplicable. Their mysteriousness eludes the public, they are a dream. The traditions of producing art for the public, being glorified and then going back to our tortured lives as we dream of our short-lived interaction with the public is a farce, a total lie.
When you take the time to sit down and think of this character, it’s ridiculous - total fiction. But for some reason the public loves it, the media promotes it and the artist accepts it. Well, I’m here to say, enough is enough. Enough of the bull sh*t, the pretending, the lies. It is not productive and it’s too much work to keep up with the fake images and false tales.
Artists are human beings, death to the old tale of the solo artist. It’s anything but romantic, the hustle is real, the artist life isn’t for everyone and while they’re those few who do live the romantic artistic life, the truth is, they’re not showing you all of the facets (there’s that lie again). It’s not all pretty. There are the gap periods of no work, the sucky sideline work, the I’m eating canned beans for lunch, the what-was-I-thinking moments combined with the joy of collaborating, the beauty of creating and trying to live out the dream.
I want performing artists to be at the forefront of society. No more hiding, no more false expectations. Artists live nuanced, complicated lives. I’m not that different from most people (at least I don’t think so). I just practice my clarinet while you’re at home watching Netflix. Art and the experience of art is for everyone, not just the wealthy 1%. People should be experiencing art all the time not only on occasions. It shouldn’t be confined to a stage or a museum, art is all around us. The question is how do independent artists, like myself, ride the swerving path to get the support, resources and audiences. I’m on a quest to discover this.
I believe the first start is making one's self vulnerable and exposing the truth. This is who I am and this is what I do. There are so many more performing artists and other types of artists around who have incredible stories and complicated, beautiful lives. There is so much to discover.
This blog encompasses my thoughts on the creative life, being a clarinetist in the city and the nuances of being a performing artist. I am constantly thinking about solutions, trying to figure out how to make life better for myself and others. I constantly have ideas and thoughts surrounding the entertainment industry and the people in it. My hope is that someone will read the blog and become curious about possibilities. A life with a more egalitarian approach. A life that we as a people see everyone and accept reality and not just the sexy, attractive parts. Artists have superpowers that produce: contemplation, community, healing, bridges for communication, energize, comfort, challenge, shed light on the overlooked, generate imagination and peace.
Welcome to my blog.
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Medina
