Artists run towards
what everyone else
is running from ™
--Sonja
Art is not optional.
It is not an accessory or a mere distraction. Art has a distinct function in society. As Paul Robeson opined, art is society’s conscience and artists are its fierce gatekeepers.
Art is born of a deep, abiding love—a love so deep that it will not lie to its beloved. A love that forces people to broaden, expand and look beyond themselves, encourages us to speak from our hearts, surprises us. You don't choose this love--it chooses you. You don't dictate to this love. It tells you what you must do.
It pushes boundaries, shifts molecules, pisses you off, exalts you to the stars; but it is not grey/conventional/routine.
There is no “happy medium”.
This kind of love is dangerous.
Because art is born of this kind of love, artists--its practitioners--are dangerous beings.
Art has the ability to penetrate bullshit and speak directly to the soul. Art reminds us of our humanity—that our collective strength is born of our shared vulnerabilities. As artists, we are in touch with the raw essence of humanity; knowing our vulnerabilities are a super-power, we run fearlessly towards emotions most seek to avoid.
We know that essential truths lie hidden in those spaces. We know that the time for compartmentalized art--art that speaks to only one aspect or discipline, limits who is invited to create, separates creators from one another, or does not encompass the individual as a whole in the process of creation--is over.
We know it is time to embrace our role as truth tellers/griots/shamans. It is time to foster a return to art as a community practice, to artists as community creators.
It is time to be "fearlessly vulnerable".
The cowardly cannot practice fearless vulnerability. They lack the strength of character.
The egotistical cannot, for they lack self-awareness.
The sanctimonious cannot; they lack sincerity.
The cruel cannot. They lack self-love.
Artists are not frightened of our flaws; we embrace them. We run to them.
Artists. Run. Towards.™