Art Isn't Easy

Claybourne Elder in the role of Georges Seurat
in Signature's production of
Sunday in the Park with George.

by Matt Strote, Education Associate

Art isn't easy. The making of it, selling it and surviving on it are all very real challenges that artists face. It is incredibly difficult to be both an artistically satisfied and commercially successful. The same thing can be said of artists of the past. If you have seen Signature Theatre's production of, or are any bit familiar with, Sunday in the Park with George this is made crystal clear by the musical's end. 

As both Georges in Sunday in the Park with George typify, the path of those that are artistically inclined is often paved poorly. Both artists in Sondheim's show are striving to create something that will rocket their names to artistic acclaim and praise but at the same time sacrificing their personal lives in pursuit of their goals. This seemingly single-minded pursuit and drive towards an artistic objective may seem stubborn and rude on the part of the artist, but I believe that if we look a little bit closer into the art world we might find some reason behind these artistic crusades of greatness. Why must artists seemingly "sell out" or commit themselves to single projects? Is art ever easy?

The cast of Sunday in the Park with George.

I believe the simplest answer to these questions is that "the state of the art" and largely world as a whole, finds it necessary that artists commit and sell themselves to such extents. "Selling out" and attaching one's self to a particular project, like "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" in George's case, is a necessary evil. For George to achieve the trailblazing status, creative distinction, acclaim for thinking outside of the standard artistic box and ultimate financial benefits, he must commit himself fully to his work and essentially shut out other distractions. (This obviously goes on to hurt his relationships with those around him that care about him.)

Now, it might seem like George and other artists the world over are required to submit to this commercial "evil" of the art world but they do not have to let it influence and affect them that strongly. As Kevin Barnes stated in his op-ed essay, Selling Out Isn't Possible, nearly everyone is a sell out, whether they are an artist or not. "The only way to avoid selling out is to live like a savage all alone in the wilderness. The moment you attempt to live within the confines of a social order, you become a sell out." The individual that is faced with "selling out" to garner attention and control does not sacrifice all control to those in the upper echelons of society. Everyone sells out in one way or another to get through life. 

Frieda (Angela Miller) and Franz (Evan Casey) 

"In the art industry, it’s extremely difficult to be successful without turning yourself into a cartoon. Even Hunter S. Thompson knew this. God knows Duchamp and Warhol knew it. Some artists are turned into cartoons and others do it themselves." Artists should prefer to to craft their own commercial versions of themselves. This may seem and sound like a bit of a sacrifice to create a persona that is put up in place for the public to view but like all things in this life, you have to make certain sacrifices to get what you want. (The same is true with art.)

So, the next time you come across one of your favorite pieces of art or songs being used commercially in an advertisement, television ad or movie trailer just tell yourself, neat, that band / artist / group I like made some money and now I can probably look forward to a few more pieces of art from them in the near future. After all, hopefully the artists and people in question are creating art for the purpose of sharing a piece 

 It’s as simple as that. We all have to do certain things, from time to time, that we might not be completely psyched about, in order to pay the bills and do the things we love. 

Interested in seeing Sunday in the Park with George for yourself at Signature Theatre. Call the box office at 703 820 9771 for tickets.

Follow Signature Theatre on Twitter at @sigtheatre for updates on shows, opportunities, and additional educational outreach events.

Posted in: art,Musical Theatre,Selling Out,Sunday in the Park with George