...While a lot of artists, especially of a mainstream conviction,
have no problems being "understood", sufficiently many have that
it could be regarded to be an ordinary problem in the area of
art. Apart from mere human problems, the problem stems from the fact
that art, by its very nature, involves the act of Creation. Creation
accomplishes something that has not existed before. And how can
you understand something you have never seen before? Well, for a human being, that is pretty difficult (for some it
borders on the impossible). So he has to be helped a lot. How do you help him? By dressing up the unfamiliar or the difficult
with something familiar or easy. You put in more immediate layers
in your work which contain some things that the receiver already
is interested in. This is not "prostitution". It becomes prostitution only if you
completely abandons the important stuff, and only feeds people
"junk food". All right now. 1: Making great art merely takes good creation.
2: Making popular art mostly requires a good technique and an
understanding of what is popular. Both of these takes some work
to accomplish seperately. Yet it is even possible to do both at
once. Number one demands only that you are honest to your own vision,
and work hard at it. Number two demands that you study a lot and
practice a lot. The real skill comes in when you attempt to combine them. And
especially combine them seamlessly. The popular levels must not
force out the deeper levels. And the deeper levels should be woven
in so skillfully that they do not hinder the easy enjoyment of
the easy parts. The best works of art can be enjoyed on several levels, and be
better understood as the viewer increases his understanding. Drill: Make sketches for three works that are appealing, if superficial. Drill: Make sketches for three works that are deep, if dificult. Drill: combine one of the first ideas with one of the second set, and
make a finished work.
Being understood