art – Page 29 – The Consulting Artist

What Is Art?

I haven’t blogged here for almost a month – I can’t recall the last time I took such a long break. It’s been enjoyable for me, and I’ve found the motivation to be a little more active over at The Art Sensorium, a place I tend to neglect.

Part of the challenge of starting writing again, is knowing when to start and what to write about. I have plenty of draft ideas – works in progress currently include:

Slow Down
Masterminds
Muddy Waters : Problems and Mistakes (or Why Trust is Never Enough)
Work is Theft

Some of these may or may not see the light of day – my drafts folder often gets covered in cobwebs, so we’ll see.

In the midst of my indecision, Jon Husband drew my attention to a short video in which Brian Eno talks about state provision of a basic income for everyone.

This in turn led me, via Kev Wyke, to The 2015 John Peel Lecture – given by…Brian Eno. A strong thread in the lecture relates the question, ‘What is art?’ Brian Eno’s talk is at times funny, caring and insightful. I found both the content and the manner in which it is delivered, quite moving.

What Is Art?

Art is everything you do not have to do.

Children learn through play – adults play through art.

‘Art is the exposure to tensions and problems of a false world, in order that man may endure the tensions and problems of the real world’. Morse Peckham

Scenius – the talent of a whole community.

Through increasing automation we are less connected to production. In a world of ultra-fast change, how does man stay coherent? Eno believes more and more of us will spend more time becoming and being artists. What is art? Art is everything you do not have to do.

Thank you Jon, Kevin and Brian Eno. It feels good to be back.

People Artists

In April 2015 I received a lovely note from my friend David Zinger, asking if I would like to make a contribution to a forthcoming book, titled People Artists. With a title like that – how could I refuse? David asked me a handful of questions which I answered as follows:

How would you define a People Artist at Work in your own words?

I believe we are all born artists, so we all have the potential for people artistry. Here are a few things I practice which can help define a people artist and ensure your artistic flame can flourish.

Being open to possibilities
Accepting your own vulnerability
Showing your work

What makes you or the person you are thinking of a People Artist?

Developing a habit of awareness and presence helps make someone a people artist. A willingness to suspend judgement when new ideas are forming helps too, as does being kind. Never underestimate the artistic power of simple things.

Can you offer one or two specific examples of where and how People Artistry was demonstrated?

Follow this link. It takes you to a series of images cocreated by learning and development professionals invited to think about the future for their profession. For me – this collection represents a facet of people artistry.

What do you see as the results of the demonstration of People Artistry?

When I see people artistry at work I see smiles, I see people getting to know one another better, I see people supporting and encouraging one another and making work better, together. I see people…simply being people.

Is there anything you would like to add about the topic?

People artistry is partly about encouraging creativity, and creativity isn’t something you just switch on. It ebbs and flows according to the environment and attitude around you. I like to invite people to consider this question. What levers and dials do you need to be aware of and be able to adjust, to help bring out creativity and people artistry in yourself and those around you?

I sent my response to David and got on with my life. Yesterday morning there was a knock at the door and a large parcel was delivered. I had no idea what I was signing for…

Inside the package is a signed copy of the new book, and a wonderful signed, framed print of the painting used for the book cover. People Artists is a beautiful collection of thoughts, feelings and ideas about how to make work better, twinned with a series of images painted by Peter W Hart.

People Artists will be available for sale very soon and I’ll update this post with more information, and share details of how to buy it on Facebook, Twitter et al. For now, thank you David and Peter for putting an excellent book together and for such a lovely way to appreciate the contributors.

Art is Currency

My friend Laurie Ruettimann inspired me again recently, she has a habit of doing so. As a small thank you for this latest inspiration, I sent Laurie one of my poppy sketches, and she wrote a short post titled Art is Currency, which referenced the sketch among other things.

This year my art has shifted to a different place. I’ve continued to develop my art based learning, and I’ve been more intentional (thanks Laurie) about offering some of my art for sale. Art is currency.

I recently celebrated my 50th birthday and with Carole’s encouragement and support a party was thrown. It was great fun – people were kind and generous to me in so many ways. I want to highlight a particularly delightful and artistic aspect of this kindness and generosity, hand made cards. I’m grateful for everything I have received and these cards are another powerful reminder. Art is currency.