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The rationalization of the creative process. Is giving in to commercial concerns selling out?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

The creative process requires freedom from purposeThe debate about the reasons that one creates is as passionate as the reasons that one chooses a spouse. Everyone expects to get something different in return for their efforts!

But in a world of instant information dissemination, the balance between art and function is usually tipped one way or the other. And it's up to the creator of the work to decide the manner in which their craft will evolve.

But true creativity is NOT the rehashing of readily available facts and figures. While academic treatises usually contain useful summaries of empirical data, they are rarely considered art and are even more rarely, if ever, perused for pleasure.

The true artist creates art for art's sake, and is not constrained by the need for rationalization or the justification of some commercial purpose. The genuine artist knows that attempting to direct the response of the reader for any specific purpose translates into a sell-out.  Any semblance of creativity is prostituted by the need to inject validity or measurable compensation for the time expended.

But true art is durable, and permanent, and survives its creator. It spans both generations and ages and contributes to the collective soul of humanity. The cretaive process must be free from purpose!

In the great creativity debate, I will choose to pursue the elevation of my craft unfettered and unafraid.

And if this generation doesn't get it, maybe the next one will!

Comments (18)

Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

I completely agree and the regurgitation of info already available is just that! I like the way you add a personal touch (and often a bit of a twist) to your very creative posts. Have a good week!

Aug 24, 2009 12:24 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hi Richard, I like your post this morning.  Not just for the true art standpoint but for the wealth of useless and misinformation available today that some are relying on.

Aug 24, 2009 12:28 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Russell...

I guess great minds think alike. I used the word "regurgitation" originally but changed it to "rehashing" when I added the word "prostitution. I didn't want to go overboard!. Lol and thanks for the comment.

Gabe...

It's a heated debate, but I just want to do something more than advertisements. But I also think that everyone should decide for themselves how they want to create! Thanks my friend,

Aug 24, 2009 12:35 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Richard:  Chatted with an Active Rain newbie last night on the phone.  She was looking for ideas on what she should blog about.  She said that an Ambassador that had called her, in reference to her concern for content said, "Don't worry.  You can always re-blog."  Well, I gave her my opinion on reblogging as a serial practice, then got her thinking about all the things that would be far more useful to her own business than re-blogging someone else's posts.  I think we'll have another creative thinker here on Active Rain.

Aug 24, 2009 01:25 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Richard,

Even artists true to their creativity still have to pay the bills, hence, some prostitution to the mediocrity is inevitable. True "starving artists" are few and far between.

Rich

Aug 24, 2009 01:36 AM
Sasha Miletic - Windsor Real Estate
RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. - Windsor, ON

Hi Richard, Good post. Thanks for sharing.

Best - Sash

Aug 24, 2009 01:51 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Chris Ann...

Excellent response. Reblogging can be useful, but if you always reblog people will think that you have nothing to say! Thanks, as always!

Rich...

Brother can you spare a dime?

Sash...

You're welcome.

Aug 24, 2009 03:25 AM
Paddy (Patricia) Pizappi
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Pine Bush, NY
Real Estate Associate Broker Hudson Valley NY

The wonderful thing about this network is that we can bring a variety of creative and practical posts to the attention of many.  I truly enjoy the creativity that many use to re introduce tired topics but I am always amazed at what a creative group we have here.  You my friend produce photographic and literary art.  I enjoy you immensely.

Aug 24, 2009 03:45 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Richard - I am in mixed agreement, or perhaps that is mixed disagreement with you. I agree with much of what you say. What I disagree with is the pure Ars Gratia Artis premis. Many artists, of all genre, have used their particular canvas to convey a message, to direct thought, and yes, sometimes, even for commercial success. For instance, Spanish Civil War art, while some of it is enduring, was meant to influence the minds of the viewers. Certain movies can be considered works of art, and are certainly enduring, while being purely commercial, or profit driven, in purpose. Music is much the same.

Let the dialogue begin!

Aug 24, 2009 03:49 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Richard you never cease to amaze me and continually crack me up! I just checked back in and Thanks for featuring me in you group! I am very flattered!

Aug 24, 2009 05:55 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

We must remember that art is subjective as well. I am always happy when anyone is creative in anyway that makes them happy. But there are artists out there whose art I think is crap. There are people who think what I write is crap. There are also artists that I think are creative geniuses and others think are ridiculous idiots and in the end we are both right.

I think art is the creative translation of the ramblings within our mind. However that evolves into a tangible effort to tell the rest of the world is beautiful in it's own right. I feel that most creative people could care less what the rest of the world feels about their works, but it is always nice when someone gets it.

Aug 24, 2009 08:06 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Paddy...

Thank you so much for those very kind words. I do think that art sets us apart, and it is lasting and durable!

Mike...

A lot of artists depended on their patrons or commissions in order to survive. But a commissioned by nature diminishes creativity, as the artist acquiesces to the whims of the one paying the bills.

Looks like this isn't going as far as I hoped! Thanks, as always my friend.

Aug 24, 2009 09:33 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Richard - how about the Sistine Chapel? That is pretty fantastic, and, I do believe that Michelangelo was pretty creative with it. I do believe that some commissions might have challenged creativity.

Aug 24, 2009 09:44 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Richard, back in the '70s, I worked for Ralph Nader.  When I left to work at a federal agency that I used to harass, my Nader colleagues threw me a huge "Selling Out Party".  But when I went into real estate, I really got teased about selling out!  And my old Nader buddies all buy their houses from me!

So where is this going?  I think you can do anything you love and figure out a way to get paid real money for it - and in my humble opinion, that is not a sell out.

Oh, and i love your photo.

Aug 24, 2009 10:20 AM
Melody Botting
Broker Associate PenFed Realty - San Antonio, TX
You Deserve The Best

I am almost certain I get it!

Aug 24, 2009 11:18 AM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

With the knowledge that I am gaining here I will continue to pursue a better blog.  I have some good tutors here.

Aug 24, 2009 12:40 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Russell...

...and thanks for jumping back in ... I really appreciate it!

JL....

"I think art is the creative translation of the ramblings within our mind."

That is absolutely brilliant! Thanks my friend, you have outdone yourself.

Mike...

One might argue that the Sistine Chapel is more of a technical than a creative achievement, although it does depict "creation!"

 

Aug 24, 2009 02:08 PM
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT
Connecticut Home Inspector

Most if not all art is derivative of something from the artists past that influences his creativity. Hence isn't all art a bit of regurgitation.

Aug 24, 2009 11:03 PM