I have been revisiting Elliott Smith's Either/Or and Elliott Smith albums for the last hour or so. Was I the only one who thought his music was his therapy?, his release? I always hoped it would keep him alive, but now realize it was all an elaborate and beautiful suicide note.
This proposes a serious, intriguing question, are all of the great artists tortured? Is it the intense internal conflict what makes them great?
Some of the most brilliant musicians/artists I know are so confusingly self-destructive. Just the other day I spoke with a friend (unbelievable songwriter) on this subject and he confessed to attempting a swan dive off of the Mississippi River Bridge. Immediately after the attempted ssuicide he lived in a psych hospital for a year and a 1/2. His theory regarding the subject is this, anyone willing to pour out his/her soul for a roomful of strangers must have some sort of psychological problem. It leaves you exhilerated, disappointed, confused, ecstatic, and terrified.
Can this display of emotional exhibitionism create greatness?
Can it define greatness?
Is greatness defined by an audience or the actual creation?
It is almost 3AM so most of this may not make sense.
Best wishes to all trouble souls and level ones alike.
This proposes a serious, intriguing question, are all of the great artists tortured? Is it the intense internal conflict what makes them great?
Some of the most brilliant musicians/artists I know are so confusingly self-destructive. Just the other day I spoke with a friend (unbelievable songwriter) on this subject and he confessed to attempting a swan dive off of the Mississippi River Bridge. Immediately after the attempted ssuicide he lived in a psych hospital for a year and a 1/2. His theory regarding the subject is this, anyone willing to pour out his/her soul for a roomful of strangers must have some sort of psychological problem. It leaves you exhilerated, disappointed, confused, ecstatic, and terrified.
Can this display of emotional exhibitionism create greatness?
Can it define greatness?
Is greatness defined by an audience or the actual creation?
It is almost 3AM so most of this may not make sense.
Best wishes to all trouble souls and level ones alike.
but to (try to) answer your questions:
i don't think being psychological, emotionally, or otherwise fucked up necessarily means you're a good artist, or an artist at all. being open about yourself just means you're honest, and nothing more. and while honesty is an admirable trait, as is the ability to be open and share one's self with others, it's not what defines greatness. i mean, go to an open mic poetry reading. 90% of the stuff you'll hear is pretentious crap. just because you're up there "baring your soul" doesn't validate your art. i like the term "emotional exhibitionism", though... i think that hits the nail on the head.
it is exhibition, and people have different reasons for doing it- whether to boost their egos, get attention, or simply communicate. (i prefer to think that i do the latter, but i'm too cynical to believe that myself or anyone else is without another motive, whether consciously or not.)
uhg. ok, sorry i've cluttered up your journal... especially sorry if you were posing the questions hypothetically...
i'll stop now.
love,
-Hyena.