Embracing Shitty Art
Art has been a big part of my healing process. It's also been crucial in finding the better side of my humanity. It has been a journey of both finding artists whose work moves and inspires me as well as defining my own style and methods.
As someone who has made a living in the applied sciences but always had a soft spot for humanities, I have always bet kinda philosophical about technology. As of late, my mind has shifted from one of excitement and positivity regarding the intersection of technology and humanity to a mindset that is far less optimistic.
It is my hope that my art will become an exploration of the positive and negative influences and outcomes surrounding the intersection of humanity and technology. My current observation that I am choosing to explore is our collective fascination with perfection. From beauty filters for our smartphone cameras to perfect objects that result from CNC machines, such as 3D printers, we have become obsessed with perfection. I submit that it has reached an unhealthy obsession.
By our nature, we are imperfect. And I personally find beauty in the imperfect. It is why we are apt to feel a bit of unease if presented with a face of perfect symmetry. Our animal self recalls that perfection does not exist, but our modern sensibilities are enamored with false perfection. Perfect is ephemeral, imperfect is timeless. I doubt 3D printed objects will ever be heirloom collectibles, and yet my grandfather’s handsaw from 80 years ago will likely still be desirable 80 years from now. The wooden handle and slightly rusted steel blade saw embraces both its age and flaws beautifully. Made by hand, used by hand; never touched by digital machinery. The craftsman imbued it with humanity, and that humanity is passed on to us decades later.
Perfectly printed or milled objects today cannot convey that, no matter how well-made they are. Even a figurine made expressly for artistic appeal, does not hold the same gravitas as even the shittiest handmade object.
In the movie Ratatouille the renowned chef Auguste Gusteau made the bold proclamation “Anyone can cook.” And while the meaning of the statement was to convey that a great chef can come from anywhere, I think there is a more important message (though perhaps unintended) in that by us all cooking, we create a universal experience that is shared by all of humanity.
And, yes, most of us will never approach the heights of appeal as a Da Vinci or a Picasso; the fact that is the perceived goal by most of us is the root problem. Creation need not be a competition, but rather a mechanism to recognize and celebrate our shared humanity. No matter how shitty our art is.
I am going to end this diatribe here. Feel like I am getting my head to far up my own ass. ;)