NO SOCIAL MEDIA, NO SELFIE

I realized that without a social media account the selfie is virtually pointless. Now, in terms of my own life this vanity issue is not consequential, but it got me thinking about the value of image if no one is looking. Last week was cold in LA. Like 40 degree mornings cold, which I know is spring to some of you, but I am delicate. I snapped this picture at 7:45 in the morning on my way out. Why? Well ...that's a great fucking question. And this is not going to go where you think.

What?
Dirty mirror and cold weather attire notwithstanding, a self-portrait of me is nothing new. I have taken many in the last 20 years. In fact, at its core, the self-portrait is about as old as film. It is true, that over the last 100 years, it has become more accessible to the average person, but rest assured, the moment that camera and film were invented, someone took their own picture ...then took one of another person. Probably naked. Maybe not in that order. However, social media, gave a platform for the self-portrait that never existed before. Validation and acceptance by the group. But, if you are not participating in social media, does the self-portrait no longer have value? Here is where I am really going: If no one is looking at your efforts, do you still do it? Does it have value? It's the tree in the forest conundrum if you will.

Again, What?
Look. It's simple. If no one is looking at your efforts, does that decrease the value of the output? How do you define value? Does lack of external validation diminish value? Can humans actually thrive without validation? Could you create, every day if no one gave a shit. Every artist struggles with these questions. It's why none of you can price your work. As Eric Fischl said: "...Nobody can pay you enough for the love you're looking for and of course everything they pay you is too much." Take a moment. Read that quote again.

The Point?
Now the average, non-artist, regular person on the street, can struggle with the same questions of value and worth in their image. I remember being at gallery shows watching accountants and human resource managers stand in front of pink walls taking multiple pictures to get the "just right" shot for Instagram. It was like watching aspiring photographers obsessing over every little detail ...but the detail was them. Their own image. It is as close to being a painter or "artist" that they can be. It may possibly be more destructive. An artist can always stop. But a human has no choice. They are who they are.

And So?
I get every single woman is reading this and saying "...dude ...that's my every day, since ...like, middle school." Bet. Women have been subject to the outward approval and validation curse since the dawn of time. Maybe that's why they are better at navigating this world. I have noticed in my own personal life, many women I know sound like artists, when describing the rituals and routines of beauty and self-care.

Essentially, I am asking this: Is your message so important that without validation and acceptance, you still create? Do you still go into the studio and make selfish choices, putting everything second to craft? If so, maybe you will be okay without the likes. Without the followers. Without the awards and without the acceptance in juried shows. We do this because we have no other choice. Frankly, telemarketing is easier. Go do that if you can. This is a fucking hard road to travel, with little or no reward. If you need reward or value from others ...good luck.

Whatever.
Agree. But, I know you didn't see this coming. Do yourself a favor and search Eric Fischl. He is a stalwart in the art world, who is much better at this than I. As for me, I am still working on it. I'll let you know how it goes. Also ...does this mirror make me look fat?