The Creator's Manifesto

After many nights with friends contemplating and recounting our lives, emptying the daily burdens from our heads while filling our stomachs with drink, you come to the conclusion that people are more alike than you think.  Or at least your friends are. While that probably goes without saying, but it still comes as a surprise when you see some deep part of yourself reflected in someone else.  I guess it's part of human nature to close off part of yourself, lest you let your soul get changed by the world.  But there has to be some escape, and I've come to the realization that *that* is the essence of art.  In a general sense, sure, art may be a pretty picture, catchy tune, or engaging story, but there frequently can be something deeper:  something imparted by its creator.  I used to wonder why we spent time in  English class analyzing stories, trying to determine what the author intended the hidden meaning to be.  After all, couldn't there just be writing for the joy of writing?  And I suppose there can be, but that's not really the point.  Sure, some may put words to a page for the sheer joy of creation and the motive force there, but without giving those words I don't see a point.  Maybe I like games too much, or seeing layered meanings in something, but I like to find life between the words, see some soul behind the paint, or hear some heart behind the chorus.

Which brings me to the artist, and why we create. (I think I'm an artist, ego alert)  Sometimes it's to convey something to society, sometimes its for oneself, and other times for the joy in creating something (preferably with meaning).  I've always been amazed at those who can do all of this at once, while weaving different threads for different people to latch onto in their work.  Personally, besides that looming self doubt that every artist (I'm sure/hope?) has, my greatest challenge has always been taking the step and putting yourself out there through what you create.  Talking with fellow artists recently, something one said to me has stuck out: you just have to put yourself out there, not for anyone else, but for yourself.  The desire to hide yourself is a strong one.  A kind of self preservation.  It's easy to shrug off rejection or hurt when people don't know the real you, but to stand emotionally bare in front of someone twists the context.  Call it an evaluation, or judging, or whatever, but that kind of exposure forces you to take a good look at yourself, maybe through someone else's eyes, but honestly nonetheless.  I think that's what true artists do.  I won't say truly good artists, because I don't really think you can bring in qualitative or aesthetic considerations into the discussion, that's the realm of critics.  You're either an artist creating something, or you're not.  Whether or not people enjoy or appreciate what you do is a matter of personal taste and opinion.  Regarding critics, it is simple.  Don't.  Perhaps critically (meta-much) take their analysis and criticism in order to grow, learn and improve (as an artist, not necessarily aesthetically), but don't let it take the joy or light out of your work.  Not to belittle anyone, but perhaps they're critics because they gave up on their own artistic passions.  A critic causing an artist to withhold their art from the world out of fear is a sad thing indeed.  

As to why we create?  As much power as science has, I think there's a small part of life it can't answer.  The deep nagging question we all have.  And while everyone seems to have a different way to phrase it, and a different means and way to answer it, it's still there.  I think on a subconscious level that's why we create.  Sure, I'm amazed at the fact that we as a species have discovered enough about this universe to build a telescope that can see light that has traveled a longer time than the country, the continent, the Earth, the solar system, or indeed, even our Milky Way galaxy has existed.  Much less the science behind simply creating its components, or putting the thing into orbit.  But that's discovery.  We didn't create the fundamental laws of the universe.  We may have create the formulas we express and calculate them with, but we merely found them.  Like a child pulling up rocks in a stream and finding all sorts or creates, albeit it in a (sometimes) more organized and formal way.  No, creating something is different.  It's a chance to leave a mark upon the world, even thought it may be small and subject to the decay of time; there's still a joy to be had.  That's why we create.