The Demise of the Arts
As I have got older, I have noticed that there are less and less new films, new music, new theatrical performances that are completely original. So much of what we consume nowadays is reconstituted from the past. For example, so many of the film releases are remakes, or the same characters in a ‘new’ film. The same set of actors and actresses get the majority of the title roles. We have chart-topping music that heavily samples tracks from the past. We have classical concerts still performing programmes over three hundred years old. We have theatrical shows that tell the same stories or fairytales that have been told again and again for decades, if not longer. Of course there is new original work that is being created all of the time, but few of it reaches the same level of recognition as the ‘less’ original work. A lot of it passes many of us by, relatively unnoticed.
So, why is this?
Some people say it is because things that are familiar sell better. People like what they already like and are more likely to spend their hard earned money on something that they assume they’ll enjoy than taking a punt on something they are not sure about. I’m sure there is truth to this, however, in the last few years at least, it seems that a lot more people are criticising the remakes, no matter what the artform. People seem to be tired of watching the same things again and again as if it is groundhog day, so I would only assume that this tactic is potentially starting to fail.
It seems that the basis of most artforms is stories and characters. Films tell stories, ballets tell stories, TV shows tell stories, theatre tells stories. It only seems to be music or art that dips in and out of storytelling a little more freely. Nevertheless, there are plenty of new stories, with no shortage of new books being published. So, why aren’t they getting picked up?
If we are to draw a line between the commercial side of the artforms and the contemporary side to the artforms, we might find our answer. A lot of what is commercial sticks with remakes and the ‘well-trodden’ path because the focus is on making money. The executives and investors are less likely to take risks because they are often less interested in the quality or ‘newness’ of the project being created and more concerned about whether it will make a profit or not. A lot of these people aren’t artistic themselves and therefore don’t seem to value new ideas within the projects they put their money into.
The contemporary side to the artforms is where a lot of the new creativity lies, however for many decades now the focus has been on abstraction and breaking boundaries. Creative artists are more encouraged to create something that might shock an audience, perhaps disturb an audience. There may be a strong message, but there won’t be much story. It might be memorable, but not because it was enjoyable. It is all about breaking free from the old-fashioned constraints of what it used to mean to make ‘good art'. Because of this, much of what is created in this space is far from being commercial. It serves its purpose in its own way, but it doesn’t necessarily ‘speak to masses’. Of course there are exceptions and people who work within this world who still manage to create something beautiful, but for many it is rarely the aim.
Unfortunately, there are few creative artists that sit in-between these two worlds, willing to create something new, willing to tell a story, and willing to successfully craft it in a way that connects with an audience. They think about how something looks, sounds, or might come across to an audience. They consider how best their story, or someone else’s story can be told. They set out to create something that has longevity in the world and will be loved for a very long time, just like all of the stories and projects that are still remade today.
I like to think it is a more generous endeavour; to create something for people to enjoy. Something that has depth, meaning, and beauty. Not only focussed on how much money can be made, nor on ego and elitist thinking, because they know that in taking their time to create something special and well-considered, money will be easily made and the ego will be satisfied, whether or not it was the goal in the first place.
We need more of these people.
Or perhaps we need to become these people.
Otherwise, we will be looking at a future of yet more remakes and renovated stories. The demise of the arts will continue until nothing is profitable, because people will have become so bored of it all. Little will be seen as generation defining. Little will be inspirational. Little will be remembered, cherished, revered, or esteemed, because it will mean nothing.
It is time to make a difference again. To create work that captures the hearts of the many and continues to influence people long into the future. We need our own stories- a new Shakespeare, a new Mozart, a new Hitchcock. New creative people deserve their time in the sun, for their work to be seen and heard. For us to heed their perspective and recognise that they are no different to the ‘greats’ of the past, rather, we are simply witnessing them on their way up before they have reached their peak.
We can still love the work from the past while creating the new, adding to our inventory and keeping the world fresh and interesting. For if we don’t and we allow ourselves to remain stagnated, what would be the point in any of it?
“Draw the art you want to see, start the business you want to run, play the music you want to hear, write the books you want to read, build the products you want to use – do the work you want to see done.”
