azahru posted some questions in her journal and despite my illness I decided to hazard answering them:
I’m sick as a dog, so these answers brought to you by Fever 38.6 degrees but nonetheless…
Question: Why the fuck should anyone care about art?
Because without art we die. If life was merely mechanical we would die of soul-ache. Art is our reflection on the world. Art is our valve for the pain. Art is a means to celebrate the beauty. Art can uplift and inform and weasel into the consciousness of people who otherwise would turn a blind eye to another’s suffering. Because sometimes statistics are too hard to bear, but a painting can make you cry and care. Because even in the darkest, poorest, saddest place there is music and it matters.
Question: Why should anyone try to be an artist when there are so many wannabes already banging on the door and there are probably more important things you could be doing?
Because if you have talent, you should keep trying. Because there can never be too much art (see above). Because if you’re someone who thinks there are “more important things to do” then the art you want to make is probably important too. Because you can do those things as well. Because most people don’t do *either* the art *or* the important things, so if you’re doing one of them, you’re doing good.
Question: If you answered that you should care or try why should I listen to you given you’re probably an artist trying to justify their own existence?
No, I’m not, actually. I’m an appreciater of art. I’m someone who hopes one day to put on an art festival and have artists around who make political art to fill it with, so yes, I’m being self-serving here, but hopefully, these answers stand for themselves.