The Racehorse Theory of Art
A racehorse runs down the track and at the end of the day is rewarded with a rubdown, a nosebag of oats and a fresh pile hay in his warm paddock. All is well in the racehorse’s world.So it is with an artist. All he wants to do is participate in the creative process; whether it be to paint, sculpt or the latest thing. The artist wants to remain in the creative game by having the time and some comfort and enough to survive. it is the equivalent of the racehorse’s run down the track, nosebag and hay in the paddock.
Neither the racehorse nor the artist is in on the bets taking place in the stands. That is another world.
The horse does not understand racetrack betting, and later the betting involved with breeding where he gets a roll in the hay with some nice filly. He deals with what is before him.
The artist does understand the wagering that makes up the art world but even with this knowledge, cannot game the system.
Neither the racehorse or the artist sees the wider picture available to others at a later time. Both are in the arena participating in the moment … just like life.The Artist is judged at a later time how he fits into his time. The artist does his work based on his abilities, experiences and responses to all including; life experiences, art history, architecture, history, philosophy or politics. That work is very much a product of its time. How it holds up in the future is unknowable.
Now to test out my Racehorse Theory of Art we need look no further than the language surrounding the marketplace of art, the art gallery. Note that the group of artists represented by an art dealer is called the “gallery’s stable of artists”.
Michael Speaker