Art with Agenda
#265 with the loss of free contemplation
Dear reader,
Spare time is precious these days. I have busied myself with many projects - in a good way, but still! - and there is little time to do things without agenda. Adding parenting duties to the mix, I must chase after little bubbles of time when I can read, or write, or draw.
On the bus ride to and from the studio, I have been reading John Berger’s Ways of Seeing. It is not simply a book about how to look at art, but about the nature of art-history and business, and also the business of art-history. A couple of years ago, I enjoyed Walter Benjamin’s The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, and there are strong resonances between these two works that are otherwise 36 years apart.
For example, Benjamin wrote about the loss of free contemplation. That art no longer exists as itself, but that reproduction in print and film allows a person to use it to say anything they want, substituting its aura for anyone’s politics. He also spoke about the politics of art galleries and magazines, that subtly influence how we are supposed to feel with a brief label or clever caption. Berger refers to this — “Seeing comes before words.” — emphasizing how the art world weaves a narrative for fine art to achieve particular cultural-financial ends, and how mass media manipulates images for publicity (i.e. advertisements).
Both express concern for the individual’s relationship with the art of their world. More in Sunday’s post to paying subscribers.
In today’s post, I share this week’s opportunities to draw, each one firmly in the category of art with agenda - to illustrate a crucial part of my book (releasing later this year) and to demonstrate an important lesson from my upcoming course about how to draw tiny people.
The SneakyArt Post is a newsletter about secretly drawn art of the world. Every week, I share the latest pages from my sketchbooks and the best ideas from my journey as an artist and writer.
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Reader, why did the human cross the road? Best wrong answer wins a drawing in their mail.
A window frames a world within its edges. But is that world outside the window frame, or inside?
From Kurt Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions:
Trout did another thing which some people might have considered eccentric: he called mirrors leaks. It amused him to pretend that mirrors were holes between two universes.
If he saw a child near a mirror, he might wag his finger at a child warningly, and say with great solemnity, "Don't get too near that leak. You wouldn't want to wind up in the other universe, would you?"
A drawing habit can make you more mindful and attentive in your environment. Although it began as a way to learn to draw better, I soon realized observing human activity in public spaces was a powerful way to understand the strangers with whom I share my world.
In these deeply distracted times, I believe observation and attention are necessary for a better future - for me as a person, and for us as a species. I also believe a drawing habit is within reach of any person, regardless of skill level. These are the motivations behind my upcoming course - How to Draw the Tiny People of your World.
Join the waitlist to grab an exclusive discount.
Thank you for your time and attention. I am glad to have a space in your inbox.
Why did the human cross the road?
Well, there is this really quite darling little kitten on the other side (which is actually a baby raccoon….Surprise!).
why did the human cross the road?
To gather his future self, so he could get some 'inside' tips.