Blessed Are the Poor, For They Shall Create
It may be a twist on the old beatitude, but I think it’s proving true in my own experience.
There is something about poverty and the arts that seems to act like a magic thread, holding the two somehow together.
Blessed are the poor, for they shall create.
I mean (movie stars aside) how many really wealthy artists do you know? Historically, have artists been the wealthiest in their society? When you think of the typical artist, what word comes to mind with simple word association …
“starving”
So why is this?
I got to thinking about it today, as it is Blog Action Day. Blog Action Day is a day when bloggers all around the world unite to bring awareness to a specific topic, this year’s being “poverty”. For some reason, when I thought of poverty, I immediately thought of art.
Firstly, art is often born of struggle. It is often from our deepest pain and longing that we create things of meaning and beauty and truth (if we are willing to be open and honest). The things we create may be beautiful in and of themselves, or because of the truths they reveal about how hard life can be. To relate to a fellow human being the way we can through that type of art is a beautiful thing. I know some of my most beautiful and meaningful songs have been written in a place of deep despair - and sometimes economic poverty as well. I often need to write a song just to pull myself through those times, in fact. From my poverty and weakness is born beauty. I believe that story is repeated time and again.
Second, art often leads to poverty. Sometimes, an artistic vision runs so deep and is so personal that great personal sacrifice must be made to bring it to fruition. Many artists have died without recognition, in poverty, only to have their work regarded as genius years later. Art (the passionate, true, romantic kind fed with risk and integrity) is a very daring business indeed. And often, it is not much of a “business” at all. The world does not always ascribe financial worth to beautiful things - but rather takes them and their creators for granted.
Finally, art can often provide a way out of struggle. I think of the film Born Into Brothels, where the simple act of creating something brought community and hope to a group of hopeless children, living in a brothel in India. I think of those poor in my own community, Alberta Avenue, where an arts-driven revitalization. I think of the kids who stood proud to have real performers on their streets the weekend of our arts festival, and the hope in their eyes that maybe their neighborhood - their existence - was worth something after all. There is power in art.
So, poverty and art - what do you think about the connection? Does it run even deeper?
October 16th, 2008 at 7:07 am
“blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall create”
my response is that one can only create in an attitude of humility — even those of us who come to the process with a pretty clear idea of what we want to accomplish have to remain open to the work changing and speaking back to us where it wants to go. the creative process is a conversation, a dance, a call and response sacred heart singalong.
what about the idea that, if we are stripped of our worldly/ material possessions, we will find other ways of expressing who we are. through our [creative] actions, perhaps, instead of our gear.
October 16th, 2008 at 7:15 am
On a “somewhat” related note, I think of my kids and creativity. We decided a couple of years ago to get rid of our TV. Not so much because of the type of programming, but just the amount of time spent in front of it. When we can’t just leave the kids in front of the TV all morning, they need to discover other modes of play. When they are stripped of something, they fill the gap. In this case, I’d say it’s a trade up, as they are finding ways to pro-actively create and develop their imaginations, not just consume.
Come to think of it, ditching the TV has had a similar effect on my wife and I. Had I had a TV, for instance, I’d likely have been watching it last night rather than writing this post.
I like your adding of “in spirit” as well Edward. Not just because it’s more Biblically accurate (!) but because I think it gets to the heart of the matter. Perhaps it is not the possessions that affect creativity, but our relationship to them?
October 16th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
it’s ALL about identity.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Nigel Goodwin has said that everyone asks two questions, “Am I loved” and “Is it safe”. Wow.
I think these may be the two core questions of identity, actually, and both need to find their answer in Christ.
Thoughts?
October 17th, 2008 at 7:21 am
ultimately, i think discipleship is the same for artists as it is for anyone — the core is relationship (and all that entails including making oneself accountable, commitment and grace, disagreements and challenge and encouragement, honesty and integrity), and that is where identity is formed. we are relational beings and as such that is how our identity is formed: G-d, parents, friends, spouses. i like nigel’s questions. HUGE.
i think that when our identity is in christ everything else falls into place, or falls away. not that i’m there. i’m still learning and growing in what it means to be a son of G-d, or an heir with christ, or a co-worker. however, my identity is not wrapped up in the approval i get or don’t get from [most] other people. though approval is nice. regardless of the approval of others, i still know who i am, and that is more than simply an artist. that is my calling rather than my identity.
so: am i loved? yes. is it safe?. yes. do i really live as if i believe both those things are true? no.
but i’m getting there…