I once read an essay that its main idea was that with the advent of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety pills culture has been ruined, because the great art and literature was born out of depression, and without depression there is no great culture. I cannot recall the name of that say essay right now, but if any of you know it please do tell.
It is true that anti-depressants make you stop being depressed. They don't remove your capacity to think and feel as a human being though. They're prescribed too much and too often, I find that a truth easily swallowed.
The other thrust of the argument I dislike is that creativity or genius comes from depression. I think if anything my favorite works were always the ones which to me depicted the heights of many or all of the emotions we as humans experience. To say that great culture comes from depressed artists is an insincere look at art, and it denies the necessity of emotional intelligence for development of mature works. I hate it when people try to place restrictions on artists. Oh, to write you have to be depressed. Artists have to be poor. Musicians have to smoke pot or be addicted to heroin. You have to be an alcoholic, you have to see someone die. These are all meaningless, people should just stop trying to define an artist by how he is or acts in everyday life.
I agree with you. We will always have emotions, feelings, etc...so we'll always be able to create art :)
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean; however, history just points to most artists going through their prime when they are emotionally down the gutter. Of course, it doesn't prove that this is the true and only way to become a good artists, but it just happens to be that that is the way it's been.
ReplyDeleteso you have to be depressed to be good at art? :(
ReplyDeleteindeed, art comes from many things...
ReplyDeleteBah, exactly. There's plenty of non poor artists, optimistic writers, and straight edge musicians. The stereotypes are just that, and it happens with everything in society, not just artists.
ReplyDeleteart comes from many emotions
ReplyDeleteThe best does come from depression the emotions are stronger and more introverted.
ReplyDeleteArt is emotions on paper.
ReplyDeletei like your blog. keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteI've written some of my best songs while I was happy and not taking any medication.
ReplyDeleteThat painting, is that a van Gogh?
ReplyDeleteThere are no conditions for creation. Great art may come from anywhere. But as always, the strongest emotions (positive or negative) give the best results!
ReplyDeleteI'm not really an artist myself.. but I wish I was :(
ReplyDeletewonderful painting :)
ReplyDeleteExactly right as others have said, good post very thought provoking. If you want stop by our blog sometime!
ReplyDeletehttp://floridaweddinginformation.blogspot.com/
I couldn't agree with you more.
ReplyDeleteIt's terrible how often doctors choose to prescribe antidepressants. Almost like handing out candy on Halloween.
nice post!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat picture looks like The Scream, same artist? Great post by the way
ReplyDeletethat picture bums me out cause it looks just like my grandpa
ReplyDeleteI think some of the best art results from the artist pouring out their emotions onto their canvas. Good post.
ReplyDeletenot sure if serious
ReplyDeleteyou have to hit a low to hit a high
ReplyDeleteI don't think you can deny that much great art, especially writing, has come from depressed alcoholics or heroin users. There's more motivation there when there are problems in one's life. Just like problems with society create magnificent art and commentary.
ReplyDeleteCreation is such an open ended platform that I can't imagine depression being required. A lot of great art can be born from love, or madness or any other extreme emotion. But I agree when they say that emotion is important to the creation process.
ReplyDeletenice drawing
ReplyDeleteDepression has created really good art, but I don't think it's necessary.
ReplyDelete