The Spark

Mic Check Radio

This episode takes a look at that elusive idea of defining what art is. Where does that spark of creativity come from? What drives human beings to take an idea from our mind and create something in the physical world? As a starting point for this conversation we take a look back throughout history to see what people far smarter than all of us have to say about art and the role of art within human society.
At a very basic level, any art (both good and bad) is just the product of a human being expressing something that first occurred in the mind. In fact, the majority of art is never put on display in a gallery. The society in which we live defines the value of art for us and determines what is displayed in a gallery. However, maybe the 'value' of art should be a personal definition.
We then hear from a working artist on the dilemma between making a living from art, but also being able to artistically develop and explore with that fear in the back of your mind that 'no one will buy this'. How exactly does tying commerce (capitalism) to art affect the art? And, on the other end of that question, how does it affect the definition of art in the mind of the consumer of that art?
In previous generations, art was produced and boundaries were pushed due to a societal circumstance that we no longer experience - boredom. When we have the ability to entertain ourselves 24/7, we are never bored. Without the presence of boredom, we are never forced to entertain ourselves. To create something from nothing. There is current scientific data that shows human creativity is on the decline (specifically in the USA) due to our lack of being bored. The good news is that the solution is simple and fun. We all just have to play and explore a lot more. Rhyme intended. [Click to Listen]
Song Credits:
Land of 7 Billion Dances - The Coup
Come and Check Your Head - Blue King Brown
All's Fair in Love and Dubstep - Skrillix
Vitamin C - Can
All That You Paid For - Falling Sickness
Boredom - S.T.U.N.
Brand New Colony - The Postal Service
On the Corner - Miles Davis
$o$ - Die Antwoord
Only Getting Younger - Elliphant