Saturday, June 19, 2004
Soft Financing Causes Arts Groups to Make Hard Choices
I feel this lack of funding for arts organization is very bad for our culture. The trickle down effects are huge. Obviously, less money for the performers and artists involved with these groups. There will be less opportunity for people to see something that might open their eyes to art--take classes, make art, go see art/performances. So the downward cycle will continue. As time goes on there will be less people to champion the Arts. There will be less and less, especially controversial art.
Our culture is being spoon fed what to think. It also seems to my "out of the mainstream" sensibilities, that most people don't want to be seen as different or odd. But if they do want to be hip or different or odd or cool, they take their cues from the mainstream--mainly TV--here's another downward cycle. Hey those KFC commercials are pretty hip... Get your tongue pierced... Get tiger striped seat covers for your car from Target... Wear a crazy hat... Buy a hip hop record...
If people are willing to be spoon fed on what they think and do, they sure aren't going to try something new or arty or cultural, at least outside of what the TV or the internet has to offer or says to do. So, with the decrease in funding for arts organizations and their drop in revenue, does this spell the end of large arts organizations? Who knows, but it doesn't look like things are going to take a turn for the better anytime soon.
It just seems people are either unwilling or afraid to take a chance on things. It's kind of frustrating and sad because when you're trying to sell your art your thinking becomes more mainstream relating to what will sell. I do this. When I think of selling photos I shoot differently--looking for sellable images. My northern Minnesota photos are a perfect example. While I love it up there and I do like these images, the only reason I took and take these pictures is to sell.
My photos that I really identify with and feel are the most successful for myself are usually taken with the Holga. Two that I think are successful and sell well are Below the Falls and Scrub Clouds Mountain. Some of my favorite images sell well and others are bombs in the sales department. Some that don't sell well are very fascinating to people. I get lots of compliments and questions about the image because they can't figure it out, but in the end it rarely sells. Two of these are Water Grate Sky, and East Texas Reststop 2.
I feel this lack of funding for arts organization is very bad for our culture. The trickle down effects are huge. Obviously, less money for the performers and artists involved with these groups. There will be less opportunity for people to see something that might open their eyes to art--take classes, make art, go see art/performances. So the downward cycle will continue. As time goes on there will be less people to champion the Arts. There will be less and less, especially controversial art.
Our culture is being spoon fed what to think. It also seems to my "out of the mainstream" sensibilities, that most people don't want to be seen as different or odd. But if they do want to be hip or different or odd or cool, they take their cues from the mainstream--mainly TV--here's another downward cycle. Hey those KFC commercials are pretty hip... Get your tongue pierced... Get tiger striped seat covers for your car from Target... Wear a crazy hat... Buy a hip hop record...
If people are willing to be spoon fed on what they think and do, they sure aren't going to try something new or arty or cultural, at least outside of what the TV or the internet has to offer or says to do. So, with the decrease in funding for arts organizations and their drop in revenue, does this spell the end of large arts organizations? Who knows, but it doesn't look like things are going to take a turn for the better anytime soon.
It just seems people are either unwilling or afraid to take a chance on things. It's kind of frustrating and sad because when you're trying to sell your art your thinking becomes more mainstream relating to what will sell. I do this. When I think of selling photos I shoot differently--looking for sellable images. My northern Minnesota photos are a perfect example. While I love it up there and I do like these images, the only reason I took and take these pictures is to sell.
My photos that I really identify with and feel are the most successful for myself are usually taken with the Holga. Two that I think are successful and sell well are Below the Falls and Scrub Clouds Mountain. Some of my favorite images sell well and others are bombs in the sales department. Some that don't sell well are very fascinating to people. I get lots of compliments and questions about the image because they can't figure it out, but in the end it rarely sells. Two of these are Water Grate Sky, and East Texas Reststop 2.
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