Originally written on November 21, 2010 10:51 AM
This series of blogs will be dedicated to the investigation of the artist. All comments are welcome. The Solar Surface Café Salon, invites others to visit this site, read, enjoy, and contribute. The topics to be discussed are listed below numbers 1 though 6.
In Sally Pomme Clayton’s article The Land of Golden Stories, Utne Reader, March – April 2004, Urkash Mambetaliev, a storyteller from Bishkek, Kyrgzstan, a famous Manasci, a bard who specializes in telling the Kyrgyz epic Manas, describes a life given to stories. “I didn’t choose, I was chosen by storytelling.” …a responsibility of being a Manaschi, “You need a clean, open heart. You must never refuse to tell Manas or teach someone. It is your duty to pass it on.” Manaschis are believed to be blessed, and audiences try to imbue themselves with their power–they will drink the drops of tea left in a Manaschi’s cup, and Urkash often finds his shirt buttons missing after a performance…His work represents a challenge to storytellers everywhere to become voices for something worthwhile, making our ancestors’ tales meaningful for today. The act of storytelling can bring courage, hope, peace, and wisdom. It can help us imagine how things might have been, and, most importantly, how they could be.
Thank you Urkash. In a few words you have laid out the words that artists live and die by.
- The artist does not choose; the artist is chosen
- It is a responsibility
- A clean, open heart is essential
- It is the artist’s duty to pass on the art
- The artist’s work should bring courage, hope, peace, and wisdom
- It brings the past to the present, and the present to the future
As long as there exists the spirit to live, the artist shall exist.
2 comments
mary dominguez says:
December 1, 2010 at 12:00 pm (UTC -4)
As a retired teacher and having raised two sons one a writer/teacher and another a scientist/doctor I’ve given thought over the years on what makes an artist. I find that the creative process for a writer and a scientist are somewhat similar. Both need “a clean open heart.” and a desire and freedom to search for what is true with the courage to state it. I’ve had the opportunity to observe hundreds of children and I found that they are instinctively creative, but much of the urge to be creative can be driven out of them or it can be encouraged. Which ever way they go depends on hundreds of factors. In my opinion it boils downs belief in one’s self and knowing what one wants. To be an artist is to have discipline, work hard and to have self-confidence that what is being said matters. It’s the same for the scientist or any profession. What distinguishes an artist or anyone else is the gift. Yes, an artist is chosen, born with the gift to create, it happens everyday, but if the gift isn’t nurtured, or recognized, or ignored it can be for naught. I believe if the artist’s work speaks for the above topics and just creating says everything.
Diana says:
December 4, 2010 at 6:57 am (UTC -4)
Indeed, nurturing is a very important point. It’s pretty difficult to create with absolutely no support, and many artists can point back to a parent who encouraged them as children. In fact, the mother is often the one who supports the artist’s dreams. Oftentimes, the mother, creative herself, recognizes in her child the same spark that was never satisfactorily developed in her.
On the other hand, some artists create in spite of everything. But it’s pretty safe to say, that there was someone of influence in the artist’s young life who encouraged that spark. I don’t quite know if confidence is as clearly defined, simply because a lot of insecurity comes with the job. And getting ignored is a big part of this business. I think you must believe in your work, but at the same time, the drive is extremely powerful, and provides an intense energy to place one’s work before the public. Even though, there are many, many artists who’s work has never gone beyond their room.