A Break in the Walls of Society.

In 1992 Leonard Cohen wrote a song titled Anthem. In his chorus he stated, "There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." This statement is a very good description of the relationship of society and the impact that an artist causes on society.

As artist we have an insight into the degradation of our society that some people might not realize. We see the morale fabric of our time, as others might not. We see the darkness that covers society and that something needs to be done to enlighten our culture and bring the light into it. Many artists use various mediums and method to bring this light forward.

In 1997 artist Spencer Tunick spent five months traveling 48 contiguous states and photographing people nude in every state including Maine. His last stop of his 48-state tour was the former Loring Air Force Base for the Phish concert. He was combining the urban (city) with the natural (the human form). Spencer worked with male and female models of all ages, sizes and shapes. He began to break down the barrier of what we called the "IDEAL" of the beautiful form and showed how important everyone is in our society. He showed that people have a right to be who they are and that we are only different because of the clothes that we wear. Spencer caused a few cracks in reality and showed a new light. Spencer was not the first artist to make such a bold stand nor will he be the last.

I have on several occasions made bold statements in my work and suffered the criticism that followed. In August 2004 at The Space Between here in Presque Isle I hang my first piece of art ever. It was titled "To Be Free". The piece was a photograph that made a stand against domestic violence and the problems of a woman to leave her abuser. The community for making such a bold statement against the violence called me many names. Even though there were people that did not like nor understand my statement, the message was received by one woman who no longer is a slave to the violence but free and getting her life back. Helping just one person made all of my efforts worth it.

In December 2004 I was part of a group show at the Mark and Emily Turner Library in Presque Isle. At the show I premiered five pieces on censorship and art titled "Throwing Caution to the Wind." In my work I depicted people wrapped in "CAUTION" barrier tape. The photos made a statement about the inability for us to talk about subjects or look at certain book due to their controversial nature. That by acting in such a way has made us de-evolve over the past 6 centuries. Making such a statement is not always in the artist best interest for his career but was one that they may of felt compelled to say.

Some artists make cracks in society by their style and not their message. In the early 1900's artist such as Wassily Kandinsky and James McNeil Whistler were making strides into abstract art. Whistler had argued that art should concern itself with the harmony of colors, just as music deals with the harmony in sounds. Kandinsky argued that art should display the spiritual forces behind the visual world. These were unorthodox theories in art for their time but the cracks in art paved the way for cubist and futurist art.

Impressionist had the same affect on out society. Impressionist painters like Monet who began by painting driven by colors, rather than by line. They began painting outside of their studios where life was happening and where their work was more influenced by their environment. Impressionist used short and broken brush strokes of untinted and untamed color. Brush lines became bolder and visible. Impressionism began to make cracks in reality and paved the way for more informal music.

Even though some of these artist we not out to change the world they made a very large impact on society along with art, music and even some on philosophy. We all have an impact on our surroundings everyday. Whether that impact is for the betterment of our surrounding is up to us. I know what side I want to be on. I hope you do too.

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What If Nobody Believed In You

As an artist I face scrutiny all the time. I have been laughed at for wanting to do my Art in northern Maine. I have been called a pornographer from time to time (which I addressed in the article titled "Is it a work of art or just plain pornography"). This is just a few of the problems I face as an artist.

So what do I do when people tear my work apart? That's easy, I turn to my wife, friends and admires of my work. It is because of these people that I am able to continue with my Art. They give me all the strength and support that I need in order to not give it up. And trust me there have even been times when I packed up my entire studio into about 8 or 10 boxes and put it in the corner of my office. Even after all that I am still here doing my best to get my message out there. If it weren't for those that support me I would be sitting here regretting ever stopping my work. But not everyone has that kind of support group.

So what do you do if people don't support your work as an artist, or any kind of work that you do? Use them to further push you and encourage you to do your work. It was once said to keep your friends close and your enemies' closer. This works also in our jobs as modern day Artist.

Having people support you is a great feeling. Those that don't support you can further your work. They can be the drive and determination that pushes you. Prove to them that you can do it. Show them that you are good at what you do by succeeding at it no matter what. If you have to defend yourself make sure you are factual in what you do. Make sure all your T's are crossed and I's are dotted. Your passion for your work and determination should show in everything

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What Does It All Mean......
The Ponderings Of An Artist

Is it money, Fame, Fortune, Prestige, or maybe just a willingness to help someone else? Why does an artist create art? This is an issue that people can not seem to agree on, especially artists.

Some artists will tell you that to be a true artist you must make work that will sell in your area. For our area that means little happy trees, flowers and clouds painted in the traditional Bob Ross style. Other artists believe that to be a serious artist you must strive for recognition and exposure or you are just someone that does Art for a hobby. I find these two statements very disturbing.

History tells us that even some of our now great artists were not successful during their time. Van Goh only sold one painting while he was alive. Van Goh painted approximately 200 paintings in his lifetime and still sold just one. Would we dare call him a closet artist for only selling one piece of his Art during his life time?

A gallery owner once told me that if I don't change my work into something that will sell in this area then I will never amount to anything more than an artist in my own mind and closet. This is an issue that her and I struggle with every time that we meet.

My own personal feelings on this subject are that Art is not about money or fame or even prestige. Art is something that I do to try and help people. Society has dark and disturbing issues that are swept under the rug so that we can deny their existence and ignore them. Art must inspire and move you and make you think about life and what is going on around you.

So if you are an artist and someone tries to tell you what Art are is all about I say tell them that Art is something personal and internal to the artist. The meaning and purpose of Art can not be dictated but felt and created within us. If you feel that your work has a message or is just beautiful than stand up for it and don't let anyone tell you that you are wrong.

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Freedom of Speech in Art.

In May of 2000 the New York 2nd District Court made a decision in the case of Tunick v. Giuliani that Art was protected under the first amendment as part of the freedom of speech. This case concerned the issue of artist Spencer Tunick being able to photograph tasteful nude work on the streets in the city of New York.

The courts decision was made by Judge Guido Calabresi who stated, "We would be ostriches if we failed to take judicial notice of the heavy stream of First Amendment litigation generated by New York City in recent years . . . As a result of this relentless onslaught of First Amendment litigation, the federal courts have, to a considerable extent, been drafted into the role of local licensers for the city of New York.”

So if Art is protected by the first amendment which allegedly grants us freedom of speech then why are so many artists tormented, ridiculed and blackballed for photographing a nude work whether in public or private. Have we become so ashamed of our bodies and who we are that we have to keep hidden the beauty that lies within? Have we become so politically correct that we can not express ourselves without worrying if it is going to offend someone? Why do we violate someone's right to free speech just to protect someone else?

This issue is a very difficult one for an artist to face in society today. We constantly fight for our right to speak and be heard. We fight for our message to reach the public. Some even want to make a difference and better our society. Even though we have good intentions all people see is what they want to. They have closed theirs eyes and mind to what is being said by the artist. Some artist deal with topics that are so controversial no one wants to acknowledge them. If we do not address such controversial topics then we fail to realize the existence of the problem, and therefore fail to better our fellow men and women. Such issues that have been put into this category are AIDS, domestic violence, gay rights and even acceptance of others.

Even though artists are criticized for their work it seems to still make a small change in society. A good example is the message of my current project titled "I Am Me". This project deals with the acceptance of people based on their personality and who they are instead of their appearance. When a friend of mine read something I had written it made her step back and look at how she treated others. I received an e-mail later that day stating that she has realized that she has been guilty of this mistreatment and even though she teaches her kids fairness and sticking up for the little guy but yet looks at people and prejudges. Taking such an intent look at herself and realizing how hypocritical she has been and that she has decided to make an effort to correct herself.

One other piece of Art that had a profound effect is the musical RENT. I know of the effect it had because it caused me to analyze my life and how I dealt with my issues. While growing up in northern Maine with a very diverse cultural background I was mistreated by others for having both white and black ancestors. This lead to very hard childhood that even followed me to the military, when the soundtrack to the Broadway production was released I was in the Navy and going through a very hard divorce. While visiting my friend who ran a record store in the Lake Forrest mall just outside of Chicago he was listening to the track La Vie Boehm. This caught my attention and he told me the story behind the musical. I decided to buy the soundtrack and headed back to the barracks to listen to my new found Art piece.

I found something new and exciting as I intently listened to each and every track. I found people with AIDS from all different walks of life who were living day to day and still holding it together. I then realized that my problems were minimal compared to theirs and that if they could make it then so could I. I then decided to make an honest change in my life and immersed my self in music and culture. My eyes were opened to all sorts of wonderful things that lead me to be the person and artist that I am today.

Even though society tries to squelch an artist freedom of speech I am just glad that those that keep struggling on can have their voices heard and make a difference in even just one person's life. A difference that I know I won't soon forget.

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