A Vessel for the work
from BAM Rose CInemasI saw the documentary, The September Issue, weeks ago at BAM Rose Cinemas. I was really intrigued by the BAM website's decription of the film, which said it followed Vogue's editor and its Creative Director during the creation of the 2007 fall fashion issue, and that it was a story about the relationship between curator and creator. The film did not disappoint me. The journeys of both women are intriguing, and the work relationship they've crafted over the last twenty years together gives the impression of a fragile tension, held together by vision and commitment. One of my favorite parts is near the end, when the Creative Director is talking about how hard it is to make work that gets cut from the issue, time and again. But then she says something like (I'm doing this from memory here, so it's probably paraphrased), But the work needs a vessel. It's the vessel that gives the work its validity.
My thoughts ever since keep creeping back to the relationship between creative work and the vessels that deliver it to the world. The ways in which a well-designed vessel can turn the volume of its art up in the world's conversation, draw an audience, or even give it an opportunity to be created at all.
A few weeks ago I was in the woods of New Hampshire, awake early in the morning and watching the light creep into my room. It was my first day teaching, and I thought about how long I had dreamed of creating the conversation and experience that my students and I would travel through that day. All I've ever wanted is to participate in people's healing, I thought, and that is going to happen today.
And then I realized that Squam Art Workshops were the vessel for this creative work I've longed for and not yet done: creating classes. And Elizabeth was my curator. I felt that partnership to my toes.
The picture broadens now, as I turn my focus from simply making good work to also looking for how to pair the right work with the right vessel, and how to create vessels for other artists. How to elevate and validate the work that is waiting to be introduced or showcased, or even made in a live moment. And I'm letting myself dream, freely and big.
What vessels are you dreaming of for your work?
Monday, October 5, 2009 at 8:54AM | Share Article 11 Comments | Email Article Print Article | Permalink | in Squam Art Workshops, creative work, dreaming
Reader Comments (11)
I am not just dreaming, but moving forward with making that dream real. I have so many concepts for classes and books in my journal. I have been putting off for far too long. I am taking the plunge and doing this. Sharing my love of many things with others. My only expectations are to see people grow from it and to prove to myself that I always could do it.
creator and curator...in transition right now with this exact relationship. thank you for your stories...which participate in my healing.
hmm, what i like about this is the way it validates both roles equally - i struggle with that. always rejecting the importance of the curator in favour of artistic genius - but it's tremendous to be able to hold the space for creativity of others to unfold... and so necessary to nourish that space within yourself as well... as someone with serious curating possibilities and not as much creating opportunities, this is the kind of balance that i'm looking for in my life right now... thank you for capturing the creator/curator comment in this way and have a lovely week.
hold my spot for this class to be. I will be there. :)
My "vessel" arrived in yesterday's mail--the copy of "Take Me With You" that I purchased from you. Thank you for providing this safe place to share my story--the good, the bad and the ugly--as well as your words of encouragement and inspiration!
Right now my vessel is Mondo Beyondo. Within MB I'm hoping to find more vessels and more dreams (or better clarification). I wanted to see this movie, now I really want to. Hope I can find it still out!
I'm having a time of not knowing what my work is. Or rather, it's all a bit fuzzy.
I'm holding this idea of a vessel for my work, though. I think it might help me give my dream more shape.
thanksyou!
i just love you jen lee.
The vessels I'm working with are all bowls -- they allow the wisdom we hold in common to gather up into a pool. Teaching-Learning Communities. Soultribes. Places to tell stories. These are the vessels I'm trying to learn how to throw on the potting wheel right now.
I envision my hands, cupped
I imagine my heart, open
I imagine my mind, free
I imagine my voice, soft and true
I see myself taking small steps, a revision, a painting, time given to free thinking, wondering, not knowing
I do not yet know my vessel, my mode of transportation
but that is ok
I think first I will allow myself be where I am standing and not shy away from the call to create
and from that, feel what bravery is
So beautiful and insightful. I look forward to pondering this more.