Artists are a bunch of weirdos. Period.
I did not state that without any solid reasons. Artists do things we ordinary people can't understand, but still seem admirable to us. Weird.
Since we will be talking about artist for this week, I might as well reveal a little bit of my own background. My parents are both graduate from Malaysia Institute of Art. Which leads to me seeing and meeting all sort of artists since I was small. I have met artists more than any kind of people. None of them are normal, in a way we non-artist people perceive as abnormal. Like my dad, he loves collecting all sort of old things. My house is full of these old weird things, which he thinks that all of them are valuable. He works as an art teacher now at his own at centre. What I find him different from other people is, he don't teach to really earn money. His art teaching fees is simply the cheapest in town. In his perception, art is a form of education and something which people will enjoy doing it. And education should be affordable to everyone. Which explains why I am poor. Sigh.
After all those nonsense talking, lets move on to talk about Mr. Tan Zi Hao. Being surrounded by arts for more than 10 years, I can say that his works are undoubtly very creative. I liked his installation art where there's three snakes and sulphur surrounding them. That was truly a masterpiece. His way of fighting and expressing people's voice through art has impressed me.
After seeing all the artworks he showed us and listened to his talk, I am more convinced of my own perception on artist. They are all weirdos. I don't mean it in a negative and offensive way. They are weird in a good way, which we ordinary people would not understand. That is what I learned from that day's talk.
Every artists are weird in their own way, and weird is beautiful (Gary, 2015).
So, according to definitions found on the internet, the word "weirdo" means: A person who is considered strange to other people. This person may do strange things, so this person can be considered a "weirdo".
ReplyDeleteHow do we judge someone as strange?
Internet definitions tell us that the word "strange" means a few things:
1. unusual or surprising in a way that is unsettling or hard to understand.
2. not previously visited, seen, or encountered; unfamiliar or alien.
So all things considered, artists are indeed strange but then again, so are scientists and some professors and people who love to wear outlandish clothing. Artists are in good company and I agree with you whole-heartedly because I know a fair number of artists and they are strange and quirky and beautiful and unique people.
I wonder if you have ever told your dad you think artists are weird and what his response was to your comment. I find it super cool that both your parents are graduates of MIA because I will be telling you some stories about MIA in my lecture tomorrow! :) Should be nice to see your reaction to them!