Economic Hard Times May Be Good For Art

[€uroMeinke]

Caught this cometary (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=101158662) by Andrei Codrescu today, made me nod along with his recounting of the decades and made me feel hopeful for Art and Artists yet to emerge.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

An interesting article. I'm not sure I agree with his assessment of the 80s, feeling that in some regard at least, there were more interesting things happening in the previous decade (disco not included,) but I do think there is validity to the idea that art seems to flourish more when times aren't so great.

I just hope that people continue to recognize the importance of funding the arts, even when there isn't a lot of money to go around. And I hope that people can always find a little extra money to support their local artists whenever possible, especially the venues that continue to offer it. In my business, we have been subjected to significant pay cuts, and even numerous clubs who have decided in these tough times to discontinue offering entertainment entirely.

Then again, when there isn't much work, there is a tendency to try and remain as creative as possible, and dig a little deeper, if for no other reason than to keep sane. And perhaps the end result is something more meaningful and deep. I've been involved in some wonderfully creative projects lately, even if the paycheck isn't always there. Still, I hope things turn around soon.

[Pirate Bill]

And not just art. Creativity of all kinds. Having to make things instead of buy things sparks the imagination. The products or ideas that come out of such necessity can sometimes start a new industry and turn around the economy. Or at least the skills gained can benefit the individual.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I haven't read the article yet, but I will say that I agree with Pirate Bill, and I do think that people's creativity is often sparked by necessity or limitations.

That said, I also agree with Virginia Woolfe (paraphrasing, of course) that an empty stomach often yields work about one's empty stomach, and a well fed stomach can transcend. She much preferred quail and wine to hardship - heh.

Hamsun wrote his novel Hunger based on his own impoverished life, but it was written after he'd already come through the other side - not during his period of suffering.

To each his own. Some thrive under hard circumstances and some cannot even get out of bed. Studies that link creativity to mental illness often show that those artists were less productive when they were at their worst, and most productive during happier times.

But, going back to my initial paragraph, I think necessity and limitations can yield to sudden bursts of innovation and creativity. And affluence can lead to a whole lotta crap adorning US museum walls, as evidenced by one of our own decades of decadence.

I say let's start our own World's Fair. Who's with me?

[Strangler Lewis]

In times of scarcity and hardship, one does well to store up pearls of wisdom. In fact, let's base a new currency on it.

"That will be 3 P*, 9 bm** please."

I'm rich.

*P=Pearl
**bm=bon mot

[Pirate Bill]

That said, I also agree with Virginia Woolfe (paraphrasing, of course) that an empty stomach often yields work about one's empty stomach, and a well fed stomach can transcend. She much preferred quail and wine to hardship - heh.

Good point. I often wish I had more time to pursue my more creative endeavors. But because I work I have less time to create. If I were out of work then it's not a sure thing that my creative projects would be able to put food on my family and I'd probably be out finding a job instead of being creative. It's a Catch 22.