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Art sustains. Art is strong, and that’s why in moments of crisis such as these, we invariably turn to art. Some find hidden meanings, some lean on it for respite, some paint it red for fun, and some others find themselves in art. However, at the moment of one of the biggest crises the world has ever seen, what art doesn’t do for many is actually monetarily sustain them. While some are lucky to have art that feeds their soul and their pocket, most other people who take the giant leap of faith to give everything to art find themselves in a difficult position.
In a pensive write-up, writer and co-founder of All Things Small, Devaiah Bopanna reflects upon what it means to be an artist in 2020 and what can be done to support them in survival during times when art is our only rescue.
“Art only meets commerce when people want to unwind. Unwind through movies, music, art, comedy, writing, plays etc. When the rich aren’t rich anymore, lesser resources are deployed towards unwinding. Artists can thrive only when the rich do. It’s a strange cycle - work that speaks of liberation and equality can be a career only if the ones exploiting the situation pledge to support it. During this bloodbath and the few recessions that will follow, fewer people will pursue their passion. More will pursue stability. And there’s nothing wrong with that. It’s sad, but not wrong.
Fewer will take risks. If there’s a 21-year-old engineering student in their final year, they will not take that leap and become a writer. No chance. They were told that an engineering degree could buy them a safety net whenever they decided to pursue their actual dreams. In case things went bad. And now things have gone bad, and the safety net is there to be used.
If there’s someone toiling away against her wishes in a thankless and boring and well-paying corporate gig, they are likely to stay there. The plan of working for five years, saving up for the bad times before plunging towards their passion won’t work now. This is that bad time.
We will also see many practising artists, who are living invoice to invoice, hang up their boots. Fewer will spend time writing spec scripts, or a pilot of a web series set in an IT company, where the opening shot is of a bunch of friends sitting around, rolling a J and bitching about never wanting to do a 9 to 5 job. Now, they might take up the same 9 to 5 jobs.
Come to think of it, we are at a risk of losing a whole generation of potential artists to a bad economy. It’s no secret that richer societies create more artists, because there is a security from failure. In a prosperous circle, the worst case is still better than the best case in many other places.
Yet, the battle is not entirely lost. The demise of the artist in the arts industry, could actually end up pushing the boundaries of the craft. It’s probably the only place where the wiping out of the industry can actually end up making the product better. What we are seeing today is market-dictated mass production of craft. So when the industry shrinks or doesn’t exist, and you still want to create, you have to be a special kind of crazy. You are stubborn, delusional and irrational. All of which goes into making a sparkling creative mind. So the ones who continue despite everything else will be the ones who will redefine their respective art forms. They will be the originals. They will define the era with their talent. They will create new styles and yardsticks that will be followed and replicated when the markets open up, again.
When you see an artist practising their art-form in a year’s time, remember that they are not in it for the money or the glory. They are in it because they are free. Because they are in love. But just make sure you pay for their art, even if they don’t insist that you do. Support whoever you can, by just consuming their art. If you don’t have the money, go out of your way with your words. Praise them. Respect them. Make them feel loved. Make an effort to go for a show. Or pay for their content. Even if you are slightly troubled yourself. You will be making the world a more bearable place for yourself. And most importantly, you will be investing in someone who is redefining the world’s imagination.
Devaiah Bopanna is a former Bangalore boy who is on the cusp of a mainstream mid-life crisis. He is thinking of getting a tattoo and biking to Ladakh. Follow him everywhere—on Instagram (@devaiah.bopanna), Twitter (@devaiahPB) and Facebook. But, um, don’t follow him on his way back home. Just a tad bit creepy?
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