“Every authentic work of art is a gift to the future”
Albert Camus
Isn't this just the loveliest way of thinking about the things we make - that they are gifts to the future. That in the future folk may find our art; may wonder at it; may see it in a book; may buy it; or simply come across it somewhere.
I like the positive sense of this. Yes, the work may have come from behind us - drawing on things we had seen or thought or done in the past; and yes it may have been made in the present, right here and right now; but really its purpose is in the future - a gift to the future.
It can also be a gift to the future me - I get such delight when somebody reminds me of a piece of mine they have and love; or way down the track somebody discovers something on Pinterest and gets in touch and I get all nostalgia or enthusiastic again. Almost a bit like a gift that keeps giving.
That thought of a gift to the future offers me hope and a sense of wonder. As I finish something I never know who might see it when it leaves home; or gets shared or...
Back in 2013 my wee book "A Subversive Stitch" appeared in The Huffington Post! Who knew it would ever be there!?!?!?
Albert Camus
Isn't this just the loveliest way of thinking about the things we make - that they are gifts to the future. That in the future folk may find our art; may wonder at it; may see it in a book; may buy it; or simply come across it somewhere.
I like the positive sense of this. Yes, the work may have come from behind us - drawing on things we had seen or thought or done in the past; and yes it may have been made in the present, right here and right now; but really its purpose is in the future - a gift to the future.
It can also be a gift to the future me - I get such delight when somebody reminds me of a piece of mine they have and love; or way down the track somebody discovers something on Pinterest and gets in touch and I get all nostalgia or enthusiastic again. Almost a bit like a gift that keeps giving.
That thought of a gift to the future offers me hope and a sense of wonder. As I finish something I never know who might see it when it leaves home; or gets shared or...
Back in 2013 my wee book "A Subversive Stitch" appeared in The Huffington Post! Who knew it would ever be there!?!?!?
(((Fiona))) I often wonder about what the future will make of what we have left behind in this 21st C world
ReplyDeleteIn so many ways there will be questions about what we leave behind (and what we have taken). But I like to think that art will tell a story that helps and heals...go well.
Deleteback in my writing project days, the phrase "writing is recursive" was our mantra
ReplyDeletereading this now, I think the phrase "art is recursive" fits ... each piece having the potential to circle back on itself, finding new meaning
I especially like your idea of art being a gift to one's future self ... and how blogging facilitates that
P.S. The Huff Post certainly showed a good eye for art
That is such good notion to put towards the role of a piece and the lifetime of a piece. I am sure we come across earlier work and find a new story or a difference in it that wasn't clear before...and what a hoot about HuffPo! The inter web most definitely spins our work much farther out than we could alone; and it can land some interesting places!
Delete