Reminder: The Writing on the Wall Is Optional.

08.11.30

Critique is an essential ingredient in the artmaking process. As creative consciousness, we require input from outside ourselves for the perspective it brings. Certain of the creation myths refer to a universal Source seeking to know itself and thus dividing to become both Self and Other, without memory of the original state of oneness. This is deeply reflected in all our endeavors, and we act this out in our approach to the artmaking efforts of our fellows.

It's not necessary to regard the process as antagonistic, but the routine often becomes so in our self-centered way of seeing and interacting. We care so much for our own expressions that we seek to protect them from perceived discount, and we often make the mistake of striving to amend the expressions of others so that they fit more comfortably within what we regard as "good." In truth, we should instead suspend our own notion of judgement and practice the art of seeing a given expression for what it is rather than what it's not. This is a way of participating in critical analysis that takes joy in the way things are and so wants nothing more.

Criticism does imply a kind of judgement, but that isn't always found to be negative in nature. Critique can be regarded as a contribution to the expression, a fresh point of view. Again, we are habituated to a defensive stance regarding our expressions by a culture that ranks and compares, often dismissing value for the sake of consensus. I don't mean to imply that one should not prefer one thing over another, but I remind us that preference is personal and can vary dramatically, so that real consensus is an illusion, or at its best, an agreement to disagree.

Critique as a process could really be more of an observation of what's been put forth and how it's being perceived. A candid assessment of what comes across can be quite informative to the artist. It's the Other speaking to the Self regarding what it sees. With all this in mind, I'll here address my own creative inner life and its needs.

My current situation offers little in the way of camaraderie & kindred spirits to accompany me on this journey. I'm not yet stable enough to venture out with a cane again, so I'm largely house-bound. In such circumstances, physically joining with a group of artists at some venue for sharing and discussion is not readily available to me, so I put my expressions on the web and in various ways invite others to come and see. In many cases, I'm met with a deafening silence, as if there's a reluctance to open the discussion regarding what is seen here. I've had a few interested responses to this work, but would welcome much more. I would welcome a dialog.

I have an insight that should help me overcome this deficit. In the future will actively solicit feedback through a contact form elsewhere on this site. Such feedback can be anonymous, or misdirected as to its source (for those who might be shy), so respondents can feel completely at liberty to share opinions fully and with honesty. I've been asked, "why not separate commercial work from personal imagery?" and I've responded that there is no real distinction, that it's "all me." Having to answer that question brought a moment of clarity to my understanding of this work. It also brought clarity to the understanding I have of my life and what I choose to define as its purpose.

So instead of merely inviting "contact," I'll make a more specific invitation to observe & report. I'm thinking about this as a kind of guest book that would serve to record the audience and its urge to participate. It may be that many communications will be strictly of a business or commercial nature, but I hope that at least some are invitations to discuss further the musings that I post.

Perhaps this evolves into a dialog between strangers. I don't really expect that I can be intimately known by having put this site together, or that I might come to know some visitor who engages in regular interaction here in more than a one-dimensional manner. But this will serve to teach us each about ourselves, and the limits we impose on who we represent ourselves to be. And it will foster improved communication skills within those boundaries.

There will be some drawbacks to the approach, such as the absence of the subtle cues that accompany speech, but perhaps this can be regarded as an advantage. Without such cues, we must pay greater attention to the actual content of messages, both that we send and that we receive, to avoid misinterpretations. We must also understand that misinterpretation is always possible, regardless of how carefully we parse a message. It's that awareness which becomes our advantage - that we will always be kept alert to a possible misreading of intention.

Another positive aspect is couched in the anonymity of the discourse. Visitors are free to be uninhibited truthsayers as they see fit, for there is no wrong in matters of opinion, and disclosure of their identity is optional. I may be a bit more exposed personally, but my guests are at liberty to shelter in the cover of the steady stream of internet traffic. If such comfort encourages a greater degree of honesty, then my own limited exposure is of no major consequence. It's a small price to pay for someone's unvarnished thoughts.

In addition to this freedom to speak what is truly thought, there is also the choice to engage or not engage the issues or questions raised, or to engage them later. "Netiquette" is forgiving in ways not allowed by the social courtesies that evolved in the physical reality of face-to-face encounters. Here, the meeting is at your own convenience, whether initiated or continued from an earlier state. Here, it's understood that events in your physical space may take precedence over your internet activities. Here, the thread of a conversation is recorded and available for review before responding. Here, if you get turned off, you can simply turn your participation off.

All that having been said, I'm fully aware that the tangible still carries the greater authority. In these challenging circumstances, I'm willing to make do with this more ethereal mode of interaction, but I still have the desire for "face time" and I still plan to see my work available in some form of output. I do the things that I can now do & visualize a future that grants more. I'm working to unstick more than just words and images. My goal is to achieve & maintain the clarity of purpose that has come to me in spells as I do this work. In my most inspired moments, I have clear direction, and I'm working to keep my compass at hand and my mind open.