We Love Art. Why Not Love . . . the Artist?
We Love Art. Why Not Love . . . the Artist?
Like Oppenheimer, I and many fellow artists have mixed feelings. We grapple with such monumental moments and changes as:
Once-in-a-lifetime SAG-AFTRA actor and WGA writer strikes
The runaway train that is AI (Artificial Intelligence, as we all suddenly know)
A shrinking pool of available jobs within the traditional Hollywood studio system
Consumers expecting more cheap & “free” entertainment, encouraged by streaming platforms and social media
Johnny Carson and three TV networks replaced by an explosion of artists and platforms with much smaller audiences
Less big Hollywood stars mobbed on the street
More niche but affluent artists and influencers you wouldn't recognize in the grocery line
An IATSE and Teamsters crew rally before negotiations on contracts expiring July 2024
An undeniable moment of clarity I had with a non-industry "friend of artists" who thought me performing in costume in character for 9 hours straight at a NYD Rose Bowl football tailgate for tips was . . . not work
When we meet a mechanic at a party or barbecue, do we ask for a free transmission? Installed? Of course not. That's ridiculous. And rude. But what do most of us do when we meet a stand-up comic? “Tell me a joke!” If that comic replies “I do so at paid gigs, would you like to buy a ticket to my next show? Or buy a tee shirt? Or subscribe to my Patreon?” - how do we respond? “That's ridiculous! She's so rude!”
We love art. But we profoundly fail to appreciate artists. Enough. In their lifetime. Particularly when they are NOT celebrities sold to us by Fortune 500 corporations. Corporations that often enjoy generous tax breaks and outright subsidies - paid for by us taxpayers.
Monet, Bach and Poe died in poverty. Whose art auctions at Christies for millions. Why do we continue to wait until the artist is dead? Before we pay them at least enough for food, clothing and shelter?
The very concept of a "survival job" reflects how our culture stubbornly refuses to respect artists. Stealing art with AI is cool. Living wages for unpaid artists is not. Nor is Universal Basic Income (for any “displaced” worker).
Yet I am encouraged by many I meet on picket lines and at rallies. As I wrote in Beyond Picket Lines - The Power of One, even one of something can deliver enormous desperately needed bandwidth to a fellow artist. I'm also encouraged by the education, collaboration and positive change from organizations such as Solidarity.us (for union and union-curious screen actors).
And not only actors struggle with their work being recognized as . . . work. Work worthy of pay. I keep hearing from writers, comedians and musicians who share this struggle. What to do? Many of us are scattered among small and specific communities. Some of us may have questions and concerns about what our existing niche groups are doing. Or can do.
To me, these are simply lanes. Lanes with strengths, paces, and limitations. Why must we be limited to a single lane to survive and thrive as artists? This is why I started a new lane, LoveTheArtist.org.
This community and education campaign is an attempt to change the culture. Even if just a little. While many wonderful resources do exist for artists, they are limited and few. If the artist, busy creating and surviving, is even aware of them. This community is simply another lane to try to make up the difference in moments when governments, corporations, organizations, neighbors, friends and family leave artists behind.
Sure, we have differences. But why not focus on common struggles and ways we can help each other? Many of us share similar struggles with housing, transportation and health care. As we attempt to pursue our art while also managing to earn at least a survival income.
There are many ways to help each other, from legacy labor union action to new unions organizing, to petitions, consumer action, passing city ordinances, mutual aid, residential & commercial co-ops and more. I often walk past commercial space in Los Angeles. Available for lease. For months. Sometimes years. Why are there not more places to safely record reels, music or self-tape auditions? For FREE? If we continue to give Boeing tax breaks and subsidies, I’m not sure free recording booth access for artists is such an outrageous ask. Especially in Hollywood.
I’m building a new community. By and for artists. And crew, editors, teams and others, without whom art does not happen. Being a customer of a Fortune 500 that revolves around celebrities has its perks. But some humans may wish to rise above commercial fandom and discover how to become an everyday art patron. We welcome your curiosity. A monthly household budget line item for “Non-Celebrity Art” is a refreshing idea. LoveTheArtist.org. Message on Instagram if you’d like to get involved.
Who’s with me?
© Mark Roman Empire. Like what you’re reading? Want more? Share this with a friend! And if you have the means, a one-time donation to my Cash App or Venmo or PayPal helps me deliver you new creative grooviness sooner. Donating to my Artist Basic Income Patreon or GoFundMe is a wonderful way to Love this Artist! You can also subscribe to my Substack. Thanks!