Do we spend more time creating content than we are making art? A conversation with Lucy Arnott.
In the digitally colonised world, we live under the constant pressure of being and existing online all day—literally 24/7. We spend more time creating content than we are making art. Do you relate?
I interviewed Lucy Arnott, a collage artist/ potter/ tea ceremonialist (gosh, and so much more when I think about it), who reflected on her journey through social media presence. Yet again, in her practice the use of a wide variety of platforms shrinks to 2 or 3 common platforms and a website that she manages with little spare time. Lucy is aware of the concepts of distribution of demographics across the platform and the algorithms that draw more visits. Though again, time! Time is taken away from the creation process when performing online, instead of connecting deeper within and performing for the only person for whom it matters - You.
Slow Learner by Lucy Arnott ,2020, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Recently, I came across a video on YouTube discussing the idea that individuals and companies often underestimate the efforts needed for self-promotion. Whether you choose to post once a week, daily, or even three times a day, engaging in comms become a full-time job. As artists, we exist in timeless spaces channeling our next creation. Lucy says that "we've been minimised" by the performative nature of the self. This occurs when we attempt to conform to the standards and try to fit into parameters created by celebrity industries.
Small vases by Lucy Arnott ,2023, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
"My desire to show things, an inner dialogue, or narrative. That I can see, takes over my mind and I think I need to direct things a certain way, and it also then gets in the way of the flow of creativity. Because it's not totally true for me. " Lucy says. Authentically most artists will be on the same page, we would rather create than explain why we are doing what we do.
Is this normal or healthy thing be like someone else? I often dwell in contemplation of innovation and if there is such a thing in physical art (not taking into account what technology these days is getting up to). The innovation does not come easily to everyone. In fact, there are very few that surprise the world with something new.
While growing a toddler, I read a lot about how humans learn behaviour through mimicking and recording in the memory a pattern that we see outside, unconsciously up to the age of 7 and then consciously for the rest of our lives. Lucy reflects on it - "probably a bit of both. I would say we probably need to move with the times and move with the collective a little bit and what people are doing. So we are engaged and so people understand and there's a bit of a collective flow with things that makes sense. And then, there can be downfalls because we can get caught up and stuck in spending myself thinking what I should or shouldn't be doing, and then that can then get in the way of the actual creativity that needs to be shared."
Lucy Arnott as tea ceremonialist @lucy_holistic on Instagram
So, to be relatable and form a piece of a society we might need to use our adopted behaviours to share our art with the world through accessible channels such as social media. Please, let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I am not set on any conclusions at this stage as there is much more to explore....