Trying is Sexy

Photo By Blake Walker for Basketcase Gallery

Trying is so hot. For this installation of the Dozer Blog we're gonna discuss trying, not as a concept, but rather as a way of life. We'll focus on the audacity to try new things. Falling into rhythm is easy. Most people cling to what feels safe creatively —so when someone bulldozes through complacency, it's genuinely hot (inspiring). Curiosity is everything. Personal evolution is organic, you have to actively fight internal progress to stay at a creative stalemate.

The mood is cool today. I'm sitting here in the Lower East Side blaring the new Clipse album with my headphones on in a coffee shop that wants me to pay $12 for wifi. No way in hell that's happening, so I'm using my hot spot instead. As I'm listening to this Clipse album, I'm reminded that most of my favorite artists tend to mix up their sound between albums. For context a few of these artists are Yves Tumor, JPEGMAFIA, and Tyler the Creator. With every album they play with new concepts or sounds. They keep the ethos of their artistry, yet add a new era with a fresh sound that redifines their career. These refreshing approaches speak to the creative range and their propensity to try new things. There goes that word again, trying. We take our inspirations and make new things influenced by our individual creativity. It's a beautiful process, but like most things, you aren't gonna be a natural off rip. True as that may be, I'm not here to focus on the process of trying new things. My focus is on the vulnerable aspect of trying and the power it has to push us artistically.

David and Goliath by Caravaggio

Effort is a beautiful thing. With faith and healthy dose of passion, you'd be surprised by what you can accomplish. However, how can we reach a goal if we're too scared to move? I'm gonna call this idea "artistic paralysis". It doesn't stem from a lack of ideas, but rather a hesitation to execute and release them. There's an inherent desire to create but a fear of perception, or the most grim option, self hate. I believe artistic paralysis has detered some of the most creative people from creating their art. Creativity isn't something that can be gate kept. Sure, there's levels to this shit, but anyone can come up with an idea. It might sound crazy but quality doesn't matter. There are plenty of steps in producing anything, development will come with time. You may have an amazing idea for a drawing, but lack the skill to execute it at a high level. In my mind that shouldn't be a deterent. You have the creativity, but you lack the skill, and that's ok. Over time your skill may improve, but ultimately (and I mean this) creativity lives in the mind.

Another side to artistic paralysis is ego preservation. Ego preservation is a sport most people play. It serves to protect the idea of ourselves and how we think we're perceived. I think there's a level of internal dishonesty in a person who's ego driven. Like they're brute forcing this idea of themselves that they want others to buy into. In terms of creating, the subject in question might be scared of the reaction they may receive. So, ego is supposed to serve as are protectorate, but I'd argue vulnerability is your friend and your ego kind of hates you.

An ego in the context of artistic paralysis can only serve to hold you back. Imagine sitting on a slew of ideas throughout your 20s, paralyzed by fear of how others might perceive you — and ultimately, afraid of what that would make you think of yourself. That's an entire decade of growth, inspiration, and ideas unexecuted. Why would we embrace an emotion that keeps us artistically idle? Ego preservation doesn't help us... it ONLY helps our ego, and that's wack as fuck.

The only way out of this artistic paralysis is vulnerability, the hero of this story. It's so dope seeing someone try something new and release it. While ego helps itself, vulnerability helps you. Who are you? Is your exploration thru art about you, or other people? I think vulnerability pushes us to understand ourselves more and block out the noise of perception. It focuses on self from a less self involved place. Now you want to release your art because you made it for you, and the feelings of others is a moot point. I'll just say what I want to say. Embracing your ego is the easy way out. Being vulnerabile is hard inside and out of artistic expression. There is absolutely no reward, internal or otherwise in letting your ego keep you from acting. "Oh what if they don't like my new stuff?" Fuckem! Who cares?! Release your art! Get judged! Rinse and repeat! We can't let the opinons of others stand in the way of embracing our ever changing self expression. That actually introduces us to another layer of trying —exploration itself.

I have a fundamental belief that everyone has the capacity to change. The more we absorb and experience life, the more inevitable change becomes. These influences can come from the most subtle mediums — like reading, watching films, broadening your music taste, and so on. These mediums don't change your personality, however they can add a new perspective to your world view. New perspectives often times spark new ideas. Ultimately, it’s up to us to decide whether we bring them to life.

Often times new ideas lead us to a field we've never created in. I don't believe you have to be proficient in any discipline to engage with it. There’s a starting point for everything; our interests shouldn’t be overshadowed by our fear of being bad. I'm a huge proponent of dabbling in disciplines I have no business creating in. I got into baking at 13 after a trip to D.C. where I ate Crumbs Bake Shop for the first time. I took that inspiration home to Texas and proceeded to make the absolute worst cookies known to man. I went on to make terrible cookies for a while honestly. I kept going because I fell in love with the process, knowning one day they would be edible. I'm 28 now (insane) and my cookies are phenomenal! I also make pizza and other baked goods. I didn’t let myself get discouraged, because my love for baking kept me going. Mind you, the spark was lit by eating some amazing cupcakes in D.C. Acting on something that inspired me turned me into a good baker and gave me meaningful memories with those I baked for — an unexpected gift from a hobby I started just for myself. When we feel ourselves gravitating towards something new we should bullrush it. There should be a level of selfishness in pursuit of enjoyment. As I continue to write this article I'm realizing that sometimes trying is being stubborn. No matter how much you fail, you keep going until you get your desired outcome.

Trying is sexy! If art reflects life, I think trying in both arenas only stems to benefit us. Trying and vulnerability are synonymous. In the face of judgement and self doubt, saying fuck it and doing it anyways is hot as hell. I'm constantly inspired by my friends and acquaintances who just go for it. That shit is infectious. They do it for themselves — and it shows. We need to do it for ourselves; we need to be selfish in the pursuit of enjoyment. Your art is yours, your self-expression is yours — and that’s all that matters.