ART IS POINTLESS

“You see those people running in and out of their offices, sitting at their desks for the entire day, rushing to meet deadlines, wearing corporate shirts and bitching about their bosses at lunch?, I’ll never be like that!”, I satirized at the idea of it. “I’ll be my own boss” I said, to which she chaffed “Art is Pointless”, shook with disbelief, when I asked her to repeat, she told me about the project she was assigned to evaluate by her mentor in her interior design course. Before I elaborate on the topic, I’d like to thank JD institute to help me realise that it’s not just me but  Artists worldwide, who have been in exactly the same conundrum as I and the people I know.  Jasmine Kay Uy , a student calls us out, with her installation saying  ‘Art Is Pointless’.

    As ambivalent as the title sounded, it still felt like a judicious thought. A text based installation didn’t seem much of a revelation initially but as I went along and read the first image, all the piercing insecurities and self- doubt that I’ve ever had as an Artist started jogging my mind. It reminded me of the few mandatory phases of an artist’s life where I’ve felt SMALL, incapable and un-deserving. We face constant disapproval, creative blocks, anxiety and plagiarism. Our society doesn’t regard creative jobs as much as traditional career options like Law, MBBS or even an MBA for that matter. when she writes ‘Get an actual job and make a living’, it really hit me, I mean having to hear this and being compared to many around who managed to bag heavy pay packages while you’re still interning for months, for free, is not quite encouraging.

But, as you turn around the corner, the installation reveals another set of affirmations, rejecting the imbecile criticism by asserting stance for art, passion and individuality, which is simply Precious!. This reminds me    of the Quote 

” Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”- Mark Twain 

This revelation also shows that there is always a different angle to Art and everything in Life. And we shouldn’t draw conclusions before having an insight of the scenario from all directions.

I thought of addressing this here as I want you all to fight your inner and outer demons and never give up on Art or anything that you love if that’s what makes you feel protected and gives you a sense of accomplishment. Our choices, thoughts and feelings might pass like on a train, but it’s you who’s static yet constantly moving and changing, developing, learning new skills, overcoming comfort zones, investing a little everyday for a better YOU. Everybody has some spark of creativity in them, it’s not it, that’s special. It’s special when they hold on to it with endurance and make something fruitful out of it.

Intellectuals and artists play a fundamental role in society; we protect and prompt freedom of expression and morality in choices. We spread hope, support and comfort in the face of repression, despair and times of need. As artists we all live to express ourselves. There is no other way.   It is madness, a boon and a bane.