A Cup of Tea With Di…

Hello there, Artist! I’m quite aware that it’s been some time since we last spoke to each other. That’s my fault, really.

As you may or may not have noticed, Art has taken a turn for the worse. Why is this? Well, let’s take a look, shall we?

You are allowing anyone and everyone to call themselves an Artist. Here’s the problem: not everyone is an Artist.

Soulja Boy Tell’em? That is not an artist, singer, musician, or rapper. Yes, not even a rapper. He is a fool who doesn’t know a thing about life or hardships.

The last time I checked, rappers spoke poetry about life and hardships. Well, the good ones that are worth mentioning, anyways. I’m speaking of Nas, Eminem, Public Enemy, NWA, etc. Unless you have been on the receiving end of a gun, then you really shouldn’t open your mouth.

While we’re on this topic, let me address the rock-rappers. Fred Durst, Mike Shinoda, and that one guy. I don’t know who he is. For the sake of simplicity, think of a white guy (or simply, not black and not eminem) and insert him here. Corey Taylor is a good example!

They have not been on the receiving end of a gun, unless it was aimed at their own heads, a BB gun, or paintball gun. Not even air rifles count. One might ask, “why are they rappers?” well after awhile, people started to believe that you could rap about anything as long as you sounded good. This does work, but I fear it can only work for so long. Once people find out you have nothing to consider a real hardship, you get called a poser. No one likes a poser, Artist. Ask yourself: Am I a poser?

If you’re not sure, then you probably aren’t. Someone who defies that question automatically with, “i’m not a poser!” most likely is. It’s like the emo kid theory in reverse.

What’s even more sad is that many of these people were very talented and individual. They lost sight of their goal and did what they felt like doing, trying to make more money and fame. Some claim they can’t stay the same forever, which is fine. You’re allowed to improve, but not degrade, which is what has started happening. To be a sell out is bad; to deny being a sell out when you really are is even worse.

I know you’re wondering why I’m going on about rappers and posers and sell outs, but the reason is this: half of today’s artists are posers and sell outs! Write poetry, you can write a song. If you can write a song, you can sing and play an instrument. If you can write poetry, you can write a story. If you can write a poem, you can rap. If you can draw, you can paint a masterpiece and so on and so forth.

Someone sat down, wrote a piece of crap poem, was praised, and decided being an Artist is easy.

Whoever that nitwit was should be promptly attacked with sharpened quills and drawn and quartered.

Being an Artist is not supposed to be simple. That’s why Artists are praised! If everyone could do it, then the special effect of reading a short piece of fiction would be nothing. In fact, unless the reader is also an Artist, then they would feel nothing.

People have begun to look at money, sex, violence, and humor as entertainment. While all of the aforementioned can be entertaining, it is hollow without meaning. Even if something is about sex, it really isn’t.

“Poetry is a sexual experience between the writer and reader, and as with physical sex, some times you enjoy it, some times, you feel raped.”

That metaphor is sexual, but not about sex. It is about the relationship between the poet and reader. It applies to Art, really. Do you want the viewer of Art to feel raped? Of course not! Unfortunately, many people are being raped and quietly suffering without escape. They have grown so used to it, they don’t know what to do to stop it. These people are not Artists, so it is up to us to help them.

Reality television? Let us implement some reality television that actually provokes the mind: MythBusters. An Artist is an Artist, whether he is constructing, designing, and blowing things up just the right way, or painting, sculpting, and photographing.

Movies based on novels are horrible if approached the wrong way. Artist, please only write books too amazing to be constructed into film. If not, you will witness the death of a birth.

Music must speak to people the right way and make them understand. Music is here to broaden horizons, not narrow them. A person is supposed to mature in musical tastes and age, but apparently it is okay to be in high school and wear a panda bear back pack while watching Dora the Explorer. Artist, put an end to this with your music that calls children to grow into young adults.

Visual Artists have an obligation to create thoughtful, emotive works of art. Not stuff that is considered “cool.” have you really lost sight, Artist?

“Writers use lies to tell the truth. Politicians use lies to hide the truth.” this means you as an Artist have a responsibility to the public to inform, entertain, soothe, and appease them. If you do not stand out because of your style, then you have failed as an Artist and I condemn you to ten years of reformation.

You are an Artist, now act like it.

I’m glad we had this talk, Artist. I expect a check up in the next year or so. If you read this thinking you are an Artist, then stop fooling yourself. One or three crappy poems and/or songs are not Art. As Taking Back Sunday said, “those words at best were worse than teenage poetry. Fragment ideas and too many pronouns, stop it, come on, you’re not making sense now. You can’t make them love you when they’re all just laughing.”

An Artist has a reason and motive to be an Artist. An Artist wants to change the world and leave their mark in a positive way that lasts forever. An Artist never dies because their work is always remembered. Soulja Boy may last a generation or two, but like Jerry Lee Lewis, will be dismissed in time. DaVinci is still regarded as one of the best Artists ever, hundreds of years later. He is taught in schools. To recognize his work is a sign of intellect.

That is an Artist.