on art...

I have a friend who is a photographer.  I don't mean that he is a photographer in that he just takes photos.  I mean that his being a photographer is not seperable from his being a man.  Deep in his soul is the eye that sees all the world, in all its wonderous detail.  He is able to walk down any street and feel his way by the shifting light and the flutter of bits of paper in the breeze.  He has a talent for becoming utterly present, capturing that moment and sharing it on paper...

We had a discussion about how best to offer these moments to the world at large.  I used to write poetry that I wished to publish, and therefore thought my perspective might be relavant to his situation.  (Though my poetry pales in comparison to his photos.) 

This discussion was really about an artists sharing...the intent behind the sharing.  I have heard countless writers, painters, dancers, etc. speak of their art as their own...as long as they get it and know what the meaning is, that that is all that matters to them...they are creative for the sake of being creative, that once it is out there it is for the world to interpret.  Blah, blah, blah.  Perhaps in some cases this is a genuine statement of fact...I think though that the majority of the time this is the ultimate expression of false modesty.  If they simply wanted to create, they would create and then keep it in their basement or give it to a friend or some such, they would not desire to share it.  The thing that makes you an ARTIST is your desire to truly express.  That means you have an opinion.  That means you are starting a conversation.

My friend stated his intent to invoke in people their own desire to see the moments, he wants to inspire in them their own desire to become aware.   (to be cont.)