It seems to me, these days ( I heard many artists of older generations point out that is different to when they were younger and starting out) we are advised to share as much as possible in a pleasant, friendly, small-talk manner in general and in specific cases be very ambitious fitting in with certain groups.

Is this an effect that social media use has on our lifestyle? It seems particularly intense for visual artists, but perhaps I am seeing it that way because I work in visual arts, maybe some people in different professions experience the same.

It is not only the loss of privacy that is a side effect, but also the loss of the ability of having an individual opinion and being allowed to express that in the open without negative consequences for one’s position. It would perhaps make sense in the often quoted cubicle office job, perhaps, but my understanding of the purpose of an artist is being as individual and perhaps eccentric as possible to be able to see and therefor show a different perspective to life, this with the purpose of creating more thinking space in all our heads.

Repeating the not very complicated thought approach of the masses does to me exactly the opposite, I feel like I am downsizing my brain.

What purpose does that kind of art have, that is so agreeable to things that behind closed doors the same people that nod approvingly in public then confess they also do not like at all, in private conversations we bond by laughing off the masquerade, but we can never do so in public?

Yet to be seen in the ocean of eager artists who want to get their voice out we are encouraged to network, push, publish, and above all: be always at the right place at the right time. Why do we do that anyways? Yes, of course: being an artist is our profession, and we have to deal with it on a “professional” level.

But these days more and more, and particularly so watching the new photo-craze, I am wondering; why do we need all these pictures?

Josiane Keller “Marutamachi-dori” (2015)

Since there seems to be way many more of them made than can be eaten the competition is no longer to create the best and most original image, the focal point is to approach the most powerful middle men and groups who help us ideally right up to the top. And once we are there, well, the we are at the top. Enjoy the view.

But what about the actual art? Does it even matter to anyone anymore?

It feels to me like some form of addiction. We cannot stop, once we’re in it, this is it, There is only forwards. Is this why we wanted to be artists? (If even ‘wanted’ to be artists… personally, I never at any point in my life sat down and thought “Eureka! I shall be: an artist!”)

But what does this sharing and exposing and agreeing on that massive level still have to do with “art”?

I really don’t have the slightest clue. Only that I am completely convinced this is like a crazy procession that perhaps lost their leading group or is wearing masks that obstruct the eyes so they can’t really see very well any more, and the whole thing is running in the wrong direction, cheering with orchestra and and all, only not getting anywhere and eventually perhaps stopping in some lonely dirty side alley in the middle of nowhere.

WHY DO WE WANT TO MAKE PICTURES? WHO WANTS PICTURES? WHY DO WE WANT PICTURES? DO WE NEED PICTURES?