Wonderland.
Photo by Jason Eskenazi
I’m not a photographer, nor do I know very much at all about photography, except for the fact that I enjoy looking at it, and maybe one day I will actually try and learn more about it. That being said, I’ve been very inspired lately by some artists that were recently featured on the New York Times “Lens” blog. Although these artists work to produce art that is visually stunning and inspiring in itself, what really moved me were their personal stories, their attitudes toward their art. I’m piggybacking on my last post about the meaning of art, why people create it and what it is that makes it meaningful.
Yesterday, I read this post about Jason Eskenazi, a photographer who currently works as a guard at the Met. Take a look at his work; it’s disturbing, dark and beautiful. He’s almost 50, yet still speaks about reinventing himself.
“I started out in photography believing photojournalism could change the world. It was romantic…now…I think I can see better. I’ll be a different photographer.”
He saved $10k, and now has to decide whether to use it on a trip to work on a new project, or print more copies of his book.
Today, the story that caught my eye was about Wojun Park a South Korean artist with gastric cancer, which has forced him into chemotherapy and surgery to remove parts of his stomach and liver.
“Art was something I had to do all the time to feel I am alive…Have I created art just to satisfy and to console myself, who has been overwhelmed by uncertainty and death?
“After I was sentenced to death and my mind was jailed in my own body…Art is not just to satisfy oneself…Art is not just to express oneself. Art is also my instinct to protest to death and a will to live through with it.”
I know I run the risk of coming across too artsy fartsy in these types of posts, but I started this blog as a personal effort to rekindle a love for something that has laid somewhat dormant for the past year or so, and these men’s stories summarized in these short blog posts speak volumes to me. If you are an artist (whether it be a photographer, painter, graphic designer, writer, or whatever) why do you create art? And what does art mean? I know these are vague questions, but I don’t mind vague answers. Just looking for a little guidance and inspiration. I’ve been wandering lately, and maybe some of you would like to wander a little with me.
Wow…what a moving story.
For me, I create because it brings me peace. It’s the one thing I can find both solace and expression in and be fully content while I’m involved with it.
=D
Alicia
July 16, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Great stuff dude, just spent a solid half hour reading your blog haha, I will be checkin back more often! possibly might even submit some answers to ya
Louis
July 17, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Thanks for reading Louis! And yes, any discussion is welcomed and encouraged! Look forward to hearing your perspectives, especially since we work with different mediums.
Linda
July 21, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Thanks for your response Alicia. I definitely feel you on finding peace in creating art. And it often has the opposite effect on me as well – it’s something that has to be done to find that solace, but at the same time the perfectionist in my can grow frustrated, angry and restless when I can’t find the right words, can’t make that jump from inspiration to creationg, can’t get it “just right.”
Linda
July 21, 2009 at 4:10 pm
[...] not a photographer, although I find myself obsessed with photography lately (exhibit a & b), and am currently looking to purchase my first DSLR soon, just to play around. If anyone has any [...]
Accidentally on purpose. « A Pretty Sunday
March 29, 2010 at 6:51 pm
[...] ourselves, because we’re dying inside and feel helpless to stop it. Awhile back I wrote about Wojun Park, an artist that explained art as not just a means, but an instinct to protest death. Maybe [...]
Protest. « A Pretty Sunday
May 6, 2010 at 11:16 pm