Why I’m Making Art in a World on Fire
Instead of despair, I'm choosing to create as a form of healing and survival.
Right now I’m in full-time survival mode. A lot of us are.
Should I look at the news? That doesn’t work out well.
Ignore the news? Then I feel guilty. Isn’t knowledge power?
Living in George Orwell’s 1984 is exhausting and surreal. Armed, masked men with near immunity are killing people on American streets as the people in power revel in the chaos. War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery.
Today I posted a review of the Ricoh GRIV on YouTube… and it feels strange. The video was supposed to be a review, but I turned it into a slideshow instead.
How can I act normal when things are, seriously, fucked?
Last year I crashed. I nearly lost myself in the misery and cruelty of the world, and even though I did a ton of newsletters and YouTube camera reviews and all that stuff - I was lost in selfish oblivion.
But I’m coming back. Therapy and constant support from my amazing wife has literally saved my life, but photography has has been a part of it too.
I checked my Lightroom catalog, and found that last year in January (you know, when ACTUAL insurrectionists and traitors tried to overturn an election?) - I took a total of 36 photographs. The depression was so deep back then it felt like the world was collapsing every moment of the day. My vision was so narrow I couldn’t see hope.
This year, I feel totally different. Even with the chaos and violence ramped up to 11, instead of despair, I’m taking photographs. This January, I’ve taken more than 6,000 photos, and the month’s not over.
When I feel like there’s no future? I take photographs.
Losing hope? PHOTOS!
Feel like scrolling? NOPE - I go take photos.
When I want to use my rage to destroy the world? I make art. I channel my emotions and create.
I know this isn’t totally moving the needle forward in the world, and there are other things I could be doing to oppose what’s going on. But, sometimes, we have to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others.
So I hope this post is permission - for you and for me - to try to use our art to make new and cool things. Even in darkness, we need art, and survival is important!
But it’s just the start.
Survival is fine, but my next step is to answer this question: how can I use my camera to make a difference? What role does art play in resistance? How can I use my talents to push for a better future?
Let’s find out…. I have some ideas. (And let me know in the comments.)
Email: jerredz@gmail.com
Web: https://www.jerredz.com
Thanks for being here!
Loss of hope and despair is the desire of the 80 million strong MAGA, don't help them. I win by setting an example of being here, not going along with the red tide and calling out wrong doing when appropriate. Be in the way, slow them down, non violent protest will wear them down. They don't have political stamina or the majority desire of Americans. Win by being.
Jerred, none of it is selfish and it all adds beauty to the world, which is what we all need now. Beautiful images, as always. Take good care.