“Pizzaonia
Emerging #8” Courtesy of the Pizzaonian Art Institute, Abe Straction, curator
MUSINGS FROM PIZZAONIA
The artist
and individualism and how the culture shapes us
Within each of us is the belief that life expects something special from us. That something is the core of who you are. Some call it destiny – some call it fate. I call it the reason you were created. For each of us, it can be very different, but you must believe that something transcends you and your life. This becomes your personal idea of immortality.
This belief does require an act of faith on your part – faith that you have something unique to offer. For the artist, this is the beginning of your journey. To accept this requires courage and resolution. Unfortunately, most of us will not have the will or desire to persist.
“Everyone has talent. What is rare is the courage to follow the talent to the dark place where it leads'' Erica Jong.
If each of us is a unique individual, how, then do we define individualism today? Individualism takes many forms and the culture and time you live in distinguish what that form takes.
Within each culture, I suspect individualism is basically defined by the fundamental instinct in all living things – survival of the species. And part of this instinct is the inevitable conflict between the needs of the community and the personal needs of the individual.
Today’s individualism in most cultures is defined by technology. Young entrepreneurs seek their special place and fortune though innovation in technology. Since the advent of the digital age, there seems to be a sea change in attitudes as to what is important. Our technology affects everyone. “A fish cannot escape the water it swims in.” Pizzaonius
It was not too many years ago when young people dedicated themselves to challenge the status quo of the political system. They were particularly sensitive to the hypocrisy within their culture.
This required individual sacrifice from each person with little opportunity for personal gain. Their individualism was defined by serving the greater good of their communities. Why the difference?
These are the questions that each of us needs to explore.
It should not be mine or your intent to pass judgment here, but to try and understand how individualism is expressed by each generation. By doing so it gives each of us a better understanding of how our particular art can be expressed.
Individualism and space are related. In modern societies that exist in countries with large areas of open space and small populations in relation to the space they occupy, individualism is considered a positive. In countries that are over populated and have very little remaining space, the needs of the community take place over individual needs or expression.
As a result individual or community behavior may be more a result of basic instincts for survival than an individual decision. I am sure there is some personal desires and motivation at work here. However, I am sure they are influenced by the needs of the community.
One obvious exception has to be considered. In primitive and tribal societies the needs of the tribe always take place over individual needs. This happens regardless of the space that they occupy or that is available. Until a culture or tribe is no longer threatened by its need for daily survival communal existence dominates.
More next time “the role of faith and how it shapes the individual artist”
The historical Jesus - uniquely individual and still served the community
Brother Franco
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