Cult of the Amateur

For those that may or may not know, I am a crazy avid reader. I love reading stories about fascinating and amazing people who used the stuff God gave them in truly earth shattering ways..... I have always been fascinated with the premise that each person has value and something special (good, bad, or ugly) to add to the timeline for the benefit of the rest of humanity... we learn from people, from ideas, from interaction, not from things.

So, I guess this leads me to  today's random thought... Andrew Keen wrote an amazing book called the Cult of the Amateur. I thought it was a bit of "sarahndipity" that is would come across my desk after hearing a quote from the infamous Andy Warhol who said, "In the future every one will have their 15 minutes of fame...." If he only knew.... we have American Idol, reality shows, overnight internet celebrities gracing the most commonly seen YouTube video, and folks that come out of no where with little "talent" (although, I would say branding and marketing and taking advantage of a situation can be a talent....) getting sweet endorsement deals only to be destitude and having nothing to show for that 15 minutes when the clock strikes 16.

The internet has been one of those things that I would say is the first airplane flight or the walking on the moon moment of my generation (and I am not even 35). I cannot fathom not being able to Google (waving to Larry Page.....whom I marched with in highschool and went to Prom with (we doubled with he and his date) my Junior year of highschool- I still can't believe they all put up with me on crutches and all... I was such a nerd- still am I suppose). One of the coolest things about the internet is the ability to hear so many voices- people we would have never connected with had something like the internet never been invented. Now, having said that, I think that Mr. Keen has made some very astute observations.... it is human nature to seek out those who simply think like ourselves, who agree with our core belief systems and there is a danger that with all this freedom to explore, we will shut ourselves away and forget about digging deeper; staying with what we know and what affirms our own behavior and tastes (pink feathered boa wearing, handbag decked with crystal bling, people unite!!!! (my daughter would be one of those folks ;)). Our information will be one sided, our understanding tainted by the lack of opposing thoughts and healthy dialog and debate.

As an artist, there will always be art that doesn't resonate with me, could perhaps make my teeth hurt or even make my blood boil- who knows but, if I never seek to expose myself to those new and unknown works, how will I ever be able to truly discern what it is I like, and what it is I create and how I define it?

Art is about learning, about pushing the envelope and digging deep. It is about exploring those things that may not be pretty, the things beyond the facade, the things that reflect our spot there on that timeline, our experience and the world through the filter that we were given and what makes us unique. Having read this wonderful book has made me more aware in a way; made me realize that I am **so** an "amatuer". The key is to realize it and make sure it is a springboard to learn new things and not a ball and chain preventing amazing new discovery.