Centered around my research question, I conducted an in-depth research into the sustainability of artists. The open-source content on Artquest’s website titled “What is a Sustainable Artist” and overthink podcast’s episode “Art as Commodity” significantly aided my research by delving into the ethical, environmental, and practical challenges artists face in sustaining themselves and their practices.
The presentation was captivating and enriched with insightful, controversial viewpoints. I gleaned several enlightening insights from it:
- The significance of knowing one’s value as an artist. This reminded me of the “value” discussed in CBT webinars – acknowledging self-worth is crucial for mental balance in any profession.
- Stress triggers learning and reevaluation.
- Artists contribute to social sustainability by creating social and cultural capital, fostering an appetite for culture. Joseph Beuys likened artists to social sculptors. On the other hand, economically sustainable artists primarily selling their creations as commodities to generate capital.
- Community: Although originality and creativity has always been emphasized within the campus, an artist cannot thrive alone. The community should facilitate skill and resource exchange, collaborative endeavors, prioritizing the creation of larger works beyond monetary value.
- The importance of keep asking questions about everything we are involved with.
- The contradictable relationship between survival, ethics, and personal practice for emerging artists fresh out of school.
- Everybody can have aesthetic expierence. (Art as Experience (1934) by John Dewey)
- Perceiving over recognizing in the way we experience art.
These insights provide distinct entry points into my research about personal practice and mental sustainability among young Chinese art graduates, greatly assisting my research.
REFERENCE:
- Presentation “What is a sustainable artist”: https://prezi.com/6pwidwipeej-/what-is-a-sustainable-artist/
- Social sculpture theory by Joseph Beuys : https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/s/social-sculpture
- Podcast “Art as Commodity”: https://www.overthinkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-36