The Shape of Content by Ben Shahn (January 2017)
Artist Ben Shahn explores a variety of topics in this book of essays. Despite not necessarily focusing in depth on one topic throughout, I finished this work thinking that finding more books like this would be a terrific development.
Early on, Shahn writes about the ways education limits artistic development. He cites the skills education tends to develop- surveying, categorizing, analyzing, and memorizing. However, these abilities do not cultivate artistic potential.
He points out that most modern education ignores the critical skill of the creator- fusing acquired knowledge with independent thought. A teacher able to show a student different ways to succeed without suppressing the urge to try is invaluable. These instructors are able to cultivate some of the skills an artist needs no matter the limits of the teaching environment.
I liked his insights into self-criticism. An artist balances two personalities during the creative process- the creator and the critic. The inner critic is generally harsher than any outside person. A real life critic does not physically destroy any work.
Yet the inner critic is a ruthless eliminator of drafts, ideas, or sketches. Though a valuable presence, the creator must find ways to challenge the inner critic at important junctures. Otherwise, the artist is at risk of discarding the work that is buried deep within.
His comments about conformity were the most broadly applicable. For Shahn, conformity rarely produced the inspiration needed for art. And yet, the pressure to conform is a normal condition in many organizations or societies. We tend to seek conformity in those around us despite never remembering anyone as 'a great conformist'.
Shahn looks at this situation and considers why conformity is encouraged despite its obvious harm to clear thinking and, as an extension, to creating art. He concludes that the balance of the conservative and the creative is a vital component of successful organizations and healthy societies. If the balance tips too far toward the creative, the correction will enforce conformity upon everyone. But over-correction may mean a temporary halt in the progress of art, growth, and change.
One up: Shahn writes with nuance and balance. He explores how education limits the artist by highlighting the strengths of the educational system. The praise of the non-conformist's accomplishments is framed as a necessary supplement to the contributions of the conformist.
By defining the value inherent at both extremes of opposing approaches, Shahn exemplifies a philosophy that allows different worldviews to coexist by identifying and cultivating the strength of the opposite approach.
One down: Essay collections have their ups and downs. I think it is inherent to the nature of such a work. There is just no way around the fact that a reader will find some portions less interesting than others.
Without a larger narrative structure to contribute to, I can see why some would consider it burdensome to continue reading such essays. I do not think this reality takes anything away from this collection but I suppose the possibility is there for a particular type of reader.
Just saying: For Shahn, the best strategy for any artist is to simply create what one knows. I think his stance on education is swayed by this belief. Most educational programs struggle to nurture the student's ability to form opinions. They opt instead for the cleaner form of instruction seen in fields with defined answers. But without learning to articulate what one believes, the process of creating art is more difficult.
