The best way to enjoy music, books, or any art form seems to be distancing yourself from news and gossip about the artist. Learn as little as possible about them, treat each creation like an archaeological find – all you will ever know about them is what this artifact tells you. Let each work of art tell its own story.
It's very easy to get pulled in to an artist's world. Compelling imagery can entice you to take the next step and learn more about the person and their life. The art makes you relate to them, and it's natural to want more. It's important to resist this temptation. It's a rare artist that lives up to expectation.
A song that you found so poignant, so touching - that song you felt was about you, as if someone read your journal and wrote out your pain, longhand, in musical form. When you look deeper, you realize that Artist X didn't write that song at all. It was written by J.P. Hollingsworth in 1847, a professional songwriter who wrote the piece on commission for a play (Le Belle Du Chelle) celebrating the use of pork sausage.
So that artwork, your latest favorite, has lost its power and punch. And this person, who you felt such a connection with, wasn't abused as a child after all – he just did a cover tune.
An artist that seemed to be a virtuoso turns out to be false, a deep soul thanks only to the magic of editing.
Damn, they're married. Wasn't it a lot more sexy to think of them as single? Why deny yourself the brief and simple thrill of imaging yourself as their partner? And married four times, no less. Their obvious snap decisions and bad taste are a turn off.
Might discovering the artist's politics, sexual orientation, treatment of animals, preference for young boys, affect your appreciation of their art? Are you going to burn all of your The Who albums because Pete Townshend is accused of kiddy porn?
Interviews are to be avoided. Artists aren't public speakers, regardless of the messages often broadcast though their work. Typically, the more you discover about an artist, the less respect you have for them. They go from this great sensitive, emotional wellspring to an average, flawed person who wants nothing more than a huge mansion and eight BMW's in their twelve car garage. Oh - and some closure.
It often becomes clear that more than wanting to make world changes, they want personal change. Something hurt them, and they are venting their pain. They weren't speaking to you at all, it just seemed that way. Avoid too much information, and maintain the mystery.
It's very easy to get pulled in to an artist's world. Compelling imagery can entice you to take the next step and learn more about the person and their life. The art makes you relate to them, and it's natural to want more. It's important to resist this temptation. It's a rare artist that lives up to expectation.
A song that you found so poignant, so touching - that song you felt was about you, as if someone read your journal and wrote out your pain, longhand, in musical form. When you look deeper, you realize that Artist X didn't write that song at all. It was written by J.P. Hollingsworth in 1847, a professional songwriter who wrote the piece on commission for a play (Le Belle Du Chelle) celebrating the use of pork sausage.
So that artwork, your latest favorite, has lost its power and punch. And this person, who you felt such a connection with, wasn't abused as a child after all – he just did a cover tune.
An artist that seemed to be a virtuoso turns out to be false, a deep soul thanks only to the magic of editing.
Damn, they're married. Wasn't it a lot more sexy to think of them as single? Why deny yourself the brief and simple thrill of imaging yourself as their partner? And married four times, no less. Their obvious snap decisions and bad taste are a turn off.
Might discovering the artist's politics, sexual orientation, treatment of animals, preference for young boys, affect your appreciation of their art? Are you going to burn all of your The Who albums because Pete Townshend is accused of kiddy porn?
Interviews are to be avoided. Artists aren't public speakers, regardless of the messages often broadcast though their work. Typically, the more you discover about an artist, the less respect you have for them. They go from this great sensitive, emotional wellspring to an average, flawed person who wants nothing more than a huge mansion and eight BMW's in their twelve car garage. Oh - and some closure.
It often becomes clear that more than wanting to make world changes, they want personal change. Something hurt them, and they are venting their pain. They weren't speaking to you at all, it just seemed that way. Avoid too much information, and maintain the mystery.
It depends on the Artist I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI've seen interviews with some of my favorite singers and writers and found them to be extremely interesting, witty people.
Only problem is you don't know what they're like until you do, and almost nothing's worse than discovering your hero has feet of clay.