“The British psychoanalyst D. W. Winnicott believed artists were people driven by the tension between the desire to communicate and the desire to hide.”
Mary Ruefle, “On Fear”
I think that this probably originated many years ago, well before the world discovered the inter web and social media and a multiplicity of communication type options.
I often think that life as an artist is a dichotomy - and this is one example of that. The tension between wishing to communicate and wishing to be hidden. Of wanting to be alone to create; and yet to share your work with the world. Of having something to say, yet not wanting to have to stand up in front of people and tell them or show them yourself.
I don't know too many artists who don't feel stressed or worried about having to do the opening of their show; who don't fear putting their work out there for the world to view and consider and having to be present whist it is considered. Sometimes I think we are tentative, and maybe sometimes keen, to put the work up for consideration (or acclaim!) but would rather be anywhere else in the world but in the spotlight when the show begins.
Which brings me to blogging and why I think it's a great platform for artists to use. I think it helps us work through this dilemma. Blogging still somehow allows us to be the quiet, introverted folk we are, who like our own company and solitude; yet at the same time it allows us to share our work, our thoughts, and our works in progress with potentially the world, without having to front up. We can sit and type by ourselves, and yet feel connected to people all over the place.
Somehow it also seems to filter the world so that often times the right folk end up at your place; or you find the right folk at their place, which just couldn't have happened in any other time or place except this one.
It allows us to communicate whilst we hide. Perfect!
A wee piece I bought from Patti- another artist I found through blogging; hiding but communicating on the web...
Mary Ruefle, “On Fear”
I think that this probably originated many years ago, well before the world discovered the inter web and social media and a multiplicity of communication type options.
I often think that life as an artist is a dichotomy - and this is one example of that. The tension between wishing to communicate and wishing to be hidden. Of wanting to be alone to create; and yet to share your work with the world. Of having something to say, yet not wanting to have to stand up in front of people and tell them or show them yourself.
I don't know too many artists who don't feel stressed or worried about having to do the opening of their show; who don't fear putting their work out there for the world to view and consider and having to be present whist it is considered. Sometimes I think we are tentative, and maybe sometimes keen, to put the work up for consideration (or acclaim!) but would rather be anywhere else in the world but in the spotlight when the show begins.
Which brings me to blogging and why I think it's a great platform for artists to use. I think it helps us work through this dilemma. Blogging still somehow allows us to be the quiet, introverted folk we are, who like our own company and solitude; yet at the same time it allows us to share our work, our thoughts, and our works in progress with potentially the world, without having to front up. We can sit and type by ourselves, and yet feel connected to people all over the place.
Somehow it also seems to filter the world so that often times the right folk end up at your place; or you find the right folk at their place, which just couldn't have happened in any other time or place except this one.
It allows us to communicate whilst we hide. Perfect!
A wee piece I bought from Patti- another artist I found through blogging; hiding but communicating on the web...
You are so right, my thoughts exactly.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debbie - I think we are fortunate to be alive at a time where it is possible for us to do just this! Go well.
DeleteYour thoughts are right on! Hiding, but also wanting to share. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat - sometimes I just seem to find words that describe it so well - and then I share them. Enjoy creating, sharing and hiding!
DeleteI've been doing a little hiding myself :-)
ReplyDeleteYou make such a good point about blogging being the perfect platform for artists who feel the tug between "the desire to communicate and the desire to hide.” I needed this post, thanks Fiona.
Hi Robyn, sometimes things appear at just the right time don't they? I am a communicator-hider for sure! Enjoy your forays out into the blogging world again, go well.
DeleteIt's true, but I hadn't really thought about it. Your art can communicate without you even being there. Thank heavens for that!
ReplyDeleteI second your thank heavens for that Jo! It's good to know your work can act on your behalf, and its nice to be able to show and share from our quite computer places...
DeleteI couldn't help but enjoy a nice chuckle over this post. It's so, so true. Well said Fiona!
ReplyDeleteSomehow I figured you'd get this one Jennifer! It is so much about the quiet shared communication isn't it - and we don't have to be in a crowded room to do it! Phew and thank goodness for that.
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