Everywhere that is inspired by art and culture is expensive and thereby often excludes the very makers of said art. Think of
This fiscal limitation leaves the artist, presumably, to settle in more affordable areas. In
I can only assume, and consult my limited experience of growing up in anti-intellectual settings myself with little to no art to speak of, that this lack of community or home base among artists must be damaging. Art is of itself an isolating endeavor and to push onward with its production without even the regular respite that consultation with other artists can provide is all the more depressing a notion.
But communities are formed from this very need even in a place as seemingly culturally barren as
However, this positive thinking is not enough for me to put to bed the notion of how wonderful it must have been to be an artist in 1920s Paris, at the center of the cultural world and of production of meaningful art (I just watched Midnight in Paris again so pardon the momentary daydream). I realize that that setting has been glamorized and the extent to which many of the famous 20s writers were living the romantic yet impoverished life in fabulously rundown apartments is exaggerated and misunderstood. But one fact remains indisputable, they were real artists and expats living in
And why aren't the artists dwelling in
Plenty of brilliant artist have come out of culturally-needy communities. However, that said, all artists, desire to experience the satisfaction of a more artistically aware environment. But the choice to live the life of an artist often is one that diminishes or all together excludes the income required to live in such a setting. The alternative- of creating, in the case of A Few Lines, our own literary community in the face of a seeming lack of one- has proven to be a satisfying one. Can't live in a literary center? Create one.
Now if we could just get Ontario Mills to show some decent movies.
Hmm... This could be a case of mixing the cause with the symptom. Art has always been created where wealth was present. Why did ancient Rome spawn so many philosophers and artists? Because they didn't have to worry about scrounging for food. The upper crust was, well, affluent.
ReplyDeleteAs Alli stated a few weeks ago, it's hard to find time for artistic composition when you're working full time and trying finish your degree.
But I think the real fact of the matter is that these artists just perceive that creating art isn't worth it, and from a financial standpoint, they're right most of the time.
But hell, a whole generation of people take credit for being beat, when really it was just a hand full of guys who loved to write. There might just be hope for this whole "create your own literary center" thing after all.
And if anyone out there decides to create their own literary community just say you heard the idea from AFLM!