If Commercializing Is the Reason, Your Art Will Be Doomed

Summary

The text discusses the importance of passion and authenticity in art, as exemplified by Flea's memoir "Acid for the Children," which emphasizes the journey over commercial success.

Abstract

The article reflects on the significance of genuine passion in artistic endeavors, drawing from the personal experiences of Flea, the bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Through his memoir, Flea illustrates that the true reward of art lies in the creative process and personal growth, rather than in commercial gains. The author of the article underscores the relevance of this message in a world often driven by the pursuit of fame and fortune, urging artists and creators to focus on the joy and purity of their craft. The article suggests that audiences seek authenticity and are not merely consumers, but appreciators of art who value the sincere expression of the artists they support.

Opinions

Artistic pursuits should be driven by love and passion for the craft, not solely by the desire for commercial success.
The journey of creating art, including the highs and lows, is more valuable than the destination of fame or financial reward.
Authenticity in art is crucial for connecting with an audience, who can discern between genuine expression and contrived work intended for profit.
The memoir "Acid for the Children" serves as a testament to the power of art as a transformative journey, influenced by personal experiences and inspirations such as Kurt Vonnegut's literature.
The author criticizes the tendency to prioritize commercialization in art, warning that this approach can lead to inauthentic work and ultimately fail to resonate with fans.
The article emphasizes that fans engage with art for the experience and emotional connection, not just to make a purchase, and artists must reciprocate this genuine interest in their work.

A rock star’s warning of valuing the destination more than the journey.

The best present I’ve ever gotten for my birthday was, by far, the Amazon Kindle.

Although I’m not exactly happy with the company (just Google “Amazon labor” and you’ll know what I’m talking about), what they did with e-books is truly amazing. I’ve had my Kindle for five years at this point, and my collection is well over 200 books.

Who else gets to stay that they get to walk around with 200 books in the backpack or purse? And who knew how convenient the Kindle would be during a global pandemic?

Anyhow, I’ve been reading Flea’s memoir, Acid for the Children, on my Kindle. For those of you who don’t know Flea, he’s a founding member and the bassist for my favorite band ever, the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Flea’s book is solely about his childhood and not about his days as a member of the Red Hots. Yet if you’re disappointed reading that sentence, need not to worry as the memoir is quite riveting.

He discusses a tumultuous childhood that ranges between different fathers, different cities, and abusive relationships. What’s incredibly remarkable is that Flea had such a positive personality despite all the hardship. He’d think of the good in lieu of the bad reality he was in.

One of those things that gave him good vibes was, no pun intended, the bass. Flea had played an instrument before — he was one of the most talented trumpeters in his school. It was not until the bass, though, and reading a ton of Kurt Vonnegut, where he truly discovered his passion for art.

His words, not mine.

“Nothing special about me, we’ve all got our own sacred place, but to access it, your mission must be pure and your aim true. Just a little thought of trying to use it for a power tool, a career move, and the process becomes corrupted. You gotta go for the joy, the pain, the adventure, the search, the journey to love. I learned that from Kurt Vonnegut. You have to be willing to dedicate your life to that journey, not as a means to an end, but just as an opportunity to trip the fuck out. Ya gotta suspend all self-judgement, and embrace all. The reward is the journey itself.” — Acid for the Children, p. 205

“The reward is the journey itself.” You don’t hear that often.

Well you do, but you don’t see it often in fruition. Actions speak louder than words, and in a world where we pretend to be things that we’re not, Flea’s words couldn’t come at a more relevant time.

Are you writing this blog to make a shit ton of money on Medium or are you doing it because you love to write? Are you playing guitar to become a rock star or are you doing it out of love for making funky riffs?

Even if your reasons were the former — commercializing over the journey of creating something beautiful— your art is bound to be doomed anyways because your fans want authenticity. If they wanted to buy something, why wouldn’t they just go on Amazon to do that?

If you’re a musician, fans aren’t coming to buy something — they are arriving to enjoy art. Same goes for this blog, Netflix, and e-book stores. We might be buying something in the moment — such as your rockin’ merchandise or a ticket to the venue— but we are at your concert for your music above all else.

And if you’re not there for the love of that music, then why should you expect us to do the same?