_bazilisk_ ([info]_bazilisk_) wrote,
@ 2008-05-04 12:46:00
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Current mood: frustrated

Is Changing the World With Art Just BULLSHIT?
Here is my problem. My heart of hearts wants to do two things, and it wants to do them both with an intensely hot flame. It wants to be an artist and creator first off (my mediums are both the written word and drawing) and it wants to somehow help the world (sociology being a great tool for that,) since just being an artist seems superfluous and selfish, and knowing as much about politics as I do makes me want to seriously help making some drastic change.
I figured out a contract major that basically equates to a graphic-design-focused communications degree, that lets me do drawing and writing work in class, aimed at improving my skills in both those mediums. I asked around, and only recently someone in the fine arts department got back to me.

So now I have an offer to switch to the “fun” creative major. But I was about to go and get a “useful” sociology major. I want to do both at once, strongly, but all of my heroes are artists and writers, and all of my childhood dreams were about being a creative professional…not a sociologist or journalist.

Is doing art selfish? Is doing politically aware artwork actually useful for social change, in this crowded 21st-century, pixel-saturated, everyone’s-a-video-star culture? Is going into a field like the nonprofit sector or governmental work actually helping to change things for the better, and if so, is it that much more useful than just doing politically aware artwork after getting this “art” degree?

Should I just follow my heart like a selfish artist, ignoring the world crumbling around me as I draw my little pictures in little boxes, and write my little stories, because I was just born that way, and can’t help it, and will be frustrated forever if I choose to use the academic world to focus on sociology, instead?

I know the whole “do it as a hobby” option. My writing can already sometimes impress people, but my drawings can’t- and this is frustrating…and getting this “art” major would be the solution to that, since I’d be having some major in-studio time to improve my skills.

SO NOW WHAT, GUYS?

...

sigh. Wish art school was free like it is in Europe.


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[info]czgoldedition
2008-05-04 07:27 pm UTC (link)
It depends. The assumption that most contemporary, artsy-fartsy bullshit which resides solely within gallery spaces that only the elite who are trying to look intelligent and other artists see, ridden with supposed meaning that you cannot possibly comprehend without reading a lengthy artist statement will change the world is nonsense. It's an incestuous, egotistical culture ignored by the common Earthly denizen. But some art - non "fine" art - will be witnessed by the masses and can indeed provide a vehicle for change. Looking back on my childhood, I have to admit that the vast majority of my base opinions ad world views were formulated through the films I watched and the books I've read. Almost every single one of my personal convictions can be found within episodes of star Trek, the writings of Douglas Adams, and so forth. And sure, perhaps our culture may not read as much as it used to, but people certainly are watching television, going to the movies, watching cartoons and reading comics. The messages the writers and artists responsible for those creations embed in their works will help shape generations of young minds, not to mention may subliminally convince older minds of something new. Because behind the guise of fiction and art, their messages seem removed, non-aggressive, safe; people are more readily willing to digest these messages than they are the messages of politicians, lobbyists and teachers lecturing them more directly. Devoting your life to sequential or story-telling art in any form is perhaps one of the best ways to influence the masses conceivable. So if it makes you happy, go for it.

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[info]miss_maxine
2008-05-04 08:20 pm UTC (link)
and will be frustrated forever if I choose to use the academic world to focus on sociology, instead
That's just it. The most important thing is picking a career you really love. I think you're more likely to change the world through a field you're really passionate about as opposed to one that frustrates you.

And as I understand it, in a lot of ways, sociologists' hands are tied, especially if they work for the government. You may find you can't make the changes you want to make, and so if it's not something you can put your heart and soul in to, you might end up miserable.

But then again I'm definitely biased towards the creative track since that's what I'm doing. Ish. Officially I'll be an editor, but I will definitely also be writing on the side and trying to get things published-- and for creative writers, that's about all you can do until/unless you make it big.

And art and writing can definitely change the world. I can think of stories I've read, in particular, that have changed my worldview utterly. I know a little less about the art world, but I think you could definitely have an impact there as well if you really wanted to. Use technology to your advantage to get your work out there, maybe.

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[info]huntersblade
2008-05-04 08:39 pm UTC (link)
My totally random assumption is that it is easier to change the world with journalism/politics than it is to with art.. But I suppose art CAN change the world, some examples being Uncle Tom's Cabin raising tensions between the North and South before the Civil War and.. Um.. I don't know, I am sure there are other things that I just can't think of right now. Wasn't there some picture Picasso did that was anti-war in some big art convention?

Hmm, I would say "follow your heart" and all that bullshit, because that is what I believe. But, I don't know. I have heard of doctors only getting a medical degree for the money, then hating their job. But also people doing "something they love" and regretting it because they are poor.

So, what would you regret less, doing the artsy thing, or the sociology thing?

My suggestion is that you should realize, deep deep deep down that you want to become a highly-paid professional and love your job.

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[info]_bazilisk_
2008-05-04 09:52 pm UTC (link)
Yeah, that's the kicker: HIGHLY PAID and LOVE YOUR JOB- these two rarely intersect. Unless you REALLY like programming or get a huge kick out of making new medicines or household cleaners.

So...erm...I realize I will probably always be middle class. Money-wise, both sociology and art go the same direction (I will not be a starving artist because I will always have some sort of lame professional job with which I will pay the bills.)

What I want to be is a famous or respected person in the creative industries. Maybe publishing. Or TV or movies, even. But that's a tricky fucking trick to pull, let me tell you.

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