The performance of art and not the art of performance. I’ve been thinking about this quite a bit actually. Mostly because I’m following and seeing some incredible art accounts on Instagram but lately I’m thinking about what some of those accounts have in common. I realize that the push and direction is for videos – either short or longer versions – but that’s something I’m neither good at nor entirely comfortable with doing. Mostly because I’m kind of messy and also typically multitasking a lot.
While I realize that I shouldn’t compare my behind-the-scenes with someone else’s highlight reel (about the best description for looking at someone else’s videos and images) there is still something about some videos / reels / shorts that feels very performative. I’m talking about the ones done on a pristine surface with flowers or pens or other accoutrements displayed around the canvas or cutting board or paper. You only ever see the (perfect) process and it’s never messy, but done in a slow, elegant way that just feels vaguely fake. I’m thinking especially of a specific artist whose work I discovered and while I love the final result, the process videos give me just the slightest bit of ick. Maybe it’s because as I mentioned, I’m usually multitasking when I’m making art most of the time. Partially because I need to let the watercolor layers dry before moving on to the next step, but also because as I’ve gotten older, my attention span has gotten shorter. Either way, that’s what happens with me.
What I see a lot of the time, particularly with some art accounts, is still like the canvas sitting on the floor and the artist kneeling next to it (ow! my poor knees!). They drip water in an arc or line or circle on the surface, then use a dropper or some sort to add color around one edge, then using their fingers to spread or shape the flow of the color into the water base. I’m not sure if the medium is watercolors or inks, but it’s a transparent layer and this process is repeated multiple times to form the final piece. I love the results and have done similar things in the past, but I guess it’s the production around the “how” that I’m having an issue with. And might be related to why I don’t film myself. Because without the whole performance of the production, I’m not sure it would be interesting at all. I mean, I can’t fault the performance because that’s what got me to initially watch and then follow but something about it just bothers me on some level.
Other artists I follow who do videos regularly tend to have supplies around or on the side, or you can see them cutting the cloth (for bookbinding) or mixing the paints or showing the lathe turning process (for penmaking) and those videos feel so real and vital in a way that these few accounts don’t when showing their own process. It’s kind of how some ASMR videos feel kind of strange. You’re supposed to be soothed by the gentle process (IMO) but it comes off as somewhat fake to me. I know some of it is related to the process and experience of the artist. When I give out cards to coworkers around the holidays, they’re always amazed and think that it took me ages to paint or create but it doesn’t. That’s because of my own years of experience, so I’m sure that some (many?) artists can create something that looks entirely scripted when filmed because of how well they know the process and what needs to be done.
Anyways, I’ve had this thought rolling around in my brain for quite a while now, and finally decided I needed to get it out into the world. What better place than my own place that I’ve shamefully neglected for over two years now? Anyways, no promises on more activity but here’s to hoping!