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A topic that hits my core is the commodification of art. I don’t think people take this topic seriously or consider it’s repercussions on our culture and daily interaction with art
We consume art no matter how big and expensive or cheap and inexpensive as discardable fast food
We consume art no matter how big and expensive or cheap and inexpensive as discardable fast food
There are two mainstream positions that are taken as the default on the production and trade of art as a commodity and as property:
1) Art is a consumable product that is widely abundant with desperate producers (artists). Exploiting producers as a consumer is a God given right
1) Art is a consumable product that is widely abundant with desperate producers (artists). Exploiting producers as a consumer is a God given right
2) Art is a declared luxury either by necessity of fulfilling actual necessities of the producer, or it is a declared luxury to service and maintain a luxury status and catering to a upper and middle class and continually ignoring and abandoning the poor
Between these two default positions is a toxic cycle of exploitation and adaptive exclusion with progressive values such as “Art is for everyone” while also shaming the poor and artists offering their services for free without ever considering alternative ways of being
I of course sympathize with producers and want people to enjoy and pursue their passions without coercive forces that hinder their growth and ability to properly express themselves or turn into exploitative beasts themselves
By exploitative beasts I do mean the transformation of turning art into property that gives them power over others with their creation even with the threat of using the state to punish those who threaten their power and property
This is something I hate
This is something I hate
I envision a society described by the likes of Kropotkin where we can organize society in such a way as to create spaces for people to express themselves and do their own thing with the only prerequisite being the desire to create and express themselves
We never have these conversations whenever it comes to art discourse, particularly in art communities. It’s always these two positions vying for dominance and no space for any other position to be said. It’s ridiculous and a discourse dominated by classism and capitalism
Yes “Art is a Luxury
” and yes people need to make a living in the here and now and yes consumers are bastards that need to shut up and respect others. But at what point to we take a step back and realize how damaging this constant rehashing of tired discourse is?
” and yes people need to make a living in the here and now and yes consumers are bastards that need to shut up and respect others. But at what point to we take a step back and realize how damaging this constant rehashing of tired discourse is?
I believe that everybody needs to have their needs met. But that also doesn’t mean that we deprive a whole class of people of fundamental luxuries such as creating, appreciating and using art or pursuing other passions. Poor people deserve to partake in life’s pleasures too
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