Making Art In The Age of Content
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- Howdy! Been away for a while and spent the last three weeks in a panic to make anything worth watching - so let's talk about it.
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stop worrying about the definition and application of the term "art" and do whatever you feel like doing. you have a talent that spans across multiple disciplines, you have an inquisitive mind, you (hopefully) have a couple of dogs and you have a magnificent friend in Ben. ignore all the noise apart from the one you choose to create.
good luck, i'm rooting for you.
Sounds like you're struggling with the age old dream to be "a real artist", without realizing you ARE a real artist.
You make stuff people watch, listen to, enjoy, pay for - to quote a film, "What if this is as good as it gets."
Of course I could be wrong..... - an old lifelong artist
Stay true to yourself. Art is simply relative. You are a constant inspiration to me & I'll keep watching even when it's just a video of you in a bathtub playing with your rubber ducky. Cheers, pal.
Glad to see you're doing well buddy. Your content is always undeniably enjoyable. As someone who insists on still creating long form video in the age of "yeah that's great but how can I get the gist of this in 30 seconds," I appreciate you creating what you want to create. Cheers my friend.
Just do what you want for you Cameron. The world either likes it or doesn't. Chances are it will, but whatever. I can only assure you that I'll watch it.
Here's me with 30 monthly listeners pouring my heart and soul into the production of my next album for the past 6 months or so. The only reason I keep going is knowing that any metric of success is entirely out of my control and the only thing I can focus on is making the best music I can, for myself, at this moment in time.
This..exactly.
I wouldn't say that. Imo you can do alot to get your music heard from important people. Theres always something to be learnt in understanding how your specific genre of music does promotion and using that knowledge to get your stuff out to a bigger audience. Im in dnb and theres alot you can do really.
Id love to know if its different in your case tho
@dapremednb I'm not saying there's nothing you can do to tip the scales in your favour. More that financial, reviewer, audience kudos and numbers is not in your control. I could put a pile of CDs for free out on a table in the middle of every city and its out of my control if people choose to pick it up. I could then run the same test again and ask people to take it out of my hands and there is still no way I can control if they take it or not, much less to see if they listen to it. My main point is similar to that of the video, make music for you because there is no 'guarantee' of any success.
I always joke that I have one guy in Germany who will download anything I put onto bandcamp. But if he's enjoying it, it does have a sense of reward for me.
@@johnchedsey1306 thats actually hilarious 😂
This is absolutely art. This is social commentary. This is a diary entry, and for better or worse, it's also "content". Keep doing what you're doing, and fuck the algorithms.
You're describing the mental gymnastics around the commodification of what we USED to call art.
This is the most sad and true statement I’ve ever read in a comment.
I think too many people want to be artists that simply don't have the ability or the will. When is the last time you saw a youtube video that wasn't intended to drive views and actually has something meaningful and significant to say?
@@dodgingrain3695the algorithm doesnt support those videos and without support the channel eventually dies
It’s always been this way, thats the illusion. Literally no such thing ever existed. Art has always been a commodity used by the elite to communicate and control the masses. The “Artist” is just a feel good label that they gave to the people who were used to do that. Used to call them “shamans”. Same job.
Sometimes I wish we still had patrons in our culture. The other part of what I believe is that art by definition requires a message - even if it’s personal, buried, and obscure. It’s not just commoditization; it’s also the double-edged sword of democratization. It’s great that more people have access as the entry bar has been lowered, but culturally the trend is to minimize or even erase what is considered artistically relevant and valuable. Without a message and a substance, aren’t we just trying to convince each other to buy our doodles? (E.g. NFT’s)
I just released an album that arguably flopped. But the 5 years of pure heart and soul was some of the most important moments in my life. I wouldn't have those moments, and I wouldn't grow as a person if I didn't make music for myself and Instead pander to what I think other people wanna hear.
Yes the worries of sounding pretentious or whiny is something that's lingering ones mind, but saying it out loud lyrically for instance is literally life saving. But one thing that's so great are those 4 to 5 people who really get you, and call your shit a masterpiece.
Art keeps me stable and in harmony with the universe, and it keeps me away from the bad influence of media. That's why I'll do my best to keep art alive. Thank you for this, I want more of this!
You are an ARTIST who also happens to be on RUclips. Please, keep making and sharing your art. I always find it inspiring and touching.
Artists will always clash with the 'normal', because they have been given sight beyond what is seen. If i see a better way forward, why not walk it? The blind may call me a fool. Oh well. Im glad im not the only one struggling with this issue. I treasure your words and your thoughts. Thank you for being open, daring, and honest. 😊
The cinematography in this video is insane. Just top notch stuff!
The part I miss in this project is that he doesn't trust the pictures and the music enough to let them speak for them self. So he narrates an essay on top. I might be biased but I love films like Koyaanisqatsi. Just music and pictures
@@karlramberg Yeah, but he's so good at those specific things that they turned into content. The ESSAY is the art, and it recontextualizes the content and gives it purpose. I legit believe he meant it, and like him better for it (but it wouldn't matter if I liked or disliked the guy for it, I respect the art of it)
@airwindows I agree he is really good at making these videos. But I also do not really need to know why he is making them, as he is explaining with the narration
All platform have an effect on the art. For example, TV shows have 5 act breaks BECAUSE they had to have 5 commercial breaks. So they wrote them with small cliff hangers so that people would come back after commercial break.
I just love Your videos. For me, this is very much art. I came here for music making tutorials and stayed for the art (not only music but the whole experience) :) Thank You!
I love this, and I think it's absolutely art. You've posed an important question and presented it in such a way that makes the viewer slow down and ponder it with you. The video itself is art down to the minute details: in the slow, dreamlike pace and editing, and the thoughtful soundtrack. Even your closing credits. This is my first encounter with your channel and based on this video it's far from being "just another RUclipsr." This content-driven madscape is tiring to my brain, and I'm constantly looking for the deep thinkers and the true artists, asking the real questions and presenting their conundrums. I hope you don't stop. I've been asking the same things you are for years.
This is one of the main reasons I haven't completely jumped into RUclips, and will always prioritize making music over content. However, it was opening up like this that first drew me to your channel. Since then, we have met in person, where I could tell you what that specific video meant. You have done great work, my friend. It is people like you that give people like me hope, moving forward on this platform. As discouraging as it gets (especially for musicians), these moments are priceless. Whatever you end up doing with this thing, I will always support you and your work.
This is one of the most powerful videos I have seen from you. The serene shots, the music and the editing tell a real story and set the mood for the sombre message so well. You are one of the real ones Cameron. It's truly appreciated that you still want to put your heart into everything you do at this point in your RUclips career, and that you are telling this story of this fight for authenticity.
That was simply amazing.
This day and age, it seems “being you, yourself” doesn’t matter anymore. Most people (not all) want “you” (and I mean you as in whoever is reading this) want you to be the artist they desire, not the artist you, yourself want to be. Like was said in the video, all it takes is one click or swipe for something you poured your heart into to, only to be forgotten and never seen again. These platforms like patterns, and art isn’t about following a pattern.
Thank you for making art. Even when the audience may not be there, it is always appreciated.
This was... Wow. I feel like you've opened my eyes wide from a deep coma that I fell in. The way you worded it all, the way you spoke about this entire... Grotesque position many of us are in, to only end it on "I don't care, I will keep being myself, and do this for myself"... I feel many, many of us who do art in some form need to know this.
It's not for others, it's not for the content, it's not for clicks.
it's to make yourself happy, proud, or just... At peace of mind.
Venus, this entire video genuinely made me tear up. Thank you.
Me too ❤
"It's not for others, it's not for the content, it's not for clicks."
...I think many of us have picked up on this sentiment, and it's so true. If your work embodies your imagination, what you wanted to create, then you are indeed the richest and most successful artist in the world ;-)
Just wow! I love the way your channel is heading man and can totally 100% relate to everything you say... Loved the video and the shots. Thanks for doing what you're doing.
Huxley's Brave New World on display here. We have so much, yet feel so empty. We desire so much, yet are rarely ever fulfilled and if so, it's fleeting. We have everything we want, and want nothing we don't know we should want.
Deprived of what we need yet drowned in what we want.
We crave interpersonal connection and given social media.
I am old enough to remember life before YT… I have seen the evolution from the beginning and when monetizing was not even a concern.
It has been clear that Art, is unlike entertainment and information.
Art to me is the most raw expression of emotion and vision. A vehicle to tell a story to anyone and nobody at the same time.
Once you make Art a job, it ceases to be Art, and becomes product, and with it expectations, schedules and all the other side effects of running a business.
Draw a line between the job, and the art.
You are a musician, poet, videographer, editor and Cameron, and that’s what I and many others love about you. Of course this is art. Doesn’t get more artsy than this.
From my vantage point; you documenting your processing of creative crisis, IS art. It's inner reflections that are both entertaining and connecting with those of us who may be going through the similar confusing thoughts. You're growing through each video as we are too.
Either way, like earned :D
I have been subscribed to your channel for a while and for me the most interesting videos are where you do a lot of introspection on a particular thing similar to what you did here. If these are "just doing whatever the hell you want" then I would encourage you to continue go that route. I found this deeply insightful and provocative and it spoke to the process I'm going through as well. I just spent the last 16 months just writing my "Cinematic EDM" and now am in the process of promoting it. I'm trying different ways of working within the "attention economy" and it is gnarly. The hardest thing for me is that I often compare myself to other creators and then think, "Oh I'm not good enough" to do this and so am wrestling with that not good enough voice inside me. I want to keep doing this, continuing to promote and writing, and I will but it's a constant tussel with my ego that I am hoping to someday quell in favor of just doing "whatever the hell I want". Thank you for your honesty and authenticity, it inspires me and helps me navigate.
I have only recently got into your stuff during this hiatus, and having watched a lot of your stuff, and being in a fairly difficult time of my life, it is some of the most profound and real media I have seen in a long time. If nothing else - thank you for doing what you do, and making mine, and many others lives, that little bit better..
POV ~ WHATEVER you do for your wee dog will be just AWESOME 100% and all with Unconditional Love. That's worth far more than RUclips ANY day of the week ❤
I felt that you spoke to the artist in me, or that artist i once was, and I think that says a lot about the creator itself. Youre doing great work and have contributed to a lot in my own artistical journey. Wishing you luck!
glad i came across your video. it resonates with me a lot. thinking about art and how it’s put onto platforms shows the end result is content. of course there are content creators who are driving a business or trying to sell you something. ive been thinking about this stuff a lot. the silver lining to me is, we live in an age where we can put out our art, share it with the whole world, and eventually make a living as a creative. all we can do is create what we find meaningful and share our perspective with the world. really great video 🙏🏽
I needed a video like this , it was refreshing to know that there are others out there who feel the same way I have been feeling for the past 3 years. I want to walk away at times but 'm in love what I do and addictive to music and sound . This was your BEST video and time well spent. 👍🏽👍🏽 2 thumbs up*
I don't know what to say besides just... Thank you. This video to me feels like one of those turning points in life, you know, when you know that from here on out you cannot look at things the same anymore. So thank you for doing what you do, whatever you may call it. It made me think deeply. It made me feel things. It made me more... Complete
This channel is the best discovery I made in the past year or so. I fully agree with the "doing whatever the fuck I want," mentality.
As a person watching this video, I view this it as a piece of art. Even just the way you speak about these topics feel like poetry. It was a great watch. Thanks man. Good luck with the rest of the your ventures.
You are serving why I came to you for this interaction. I love your beautiful camera work and editing. I love the way your mind works and the deep thoughts within it. I love your sober and real form of expression and exasperation that we as artists, and humans living in this crumbling society, feel in our core. Your work is beautiful and your heart is in the right place. I only wish my one comment could pay all your bills.
In the 14 years since I created this RUclips account, this will probably be one of the few comments I've written in all that time, but I feel compelled to express my support and to applaud your decision and expression. I really hope that with this decision you will finally feel liberated to do what you really want! Thank you for everything, Cameron.
I've been thinking about this alot and thanks for it putting clear,with the way you have made this mini documentary you have helped me and I can also explain this to people who don't see the difference between Art and Content.Thank You🙏🏾
At this stage in the game, I'm just producing videos for the sheer joy of producing them and posting them on my other channel for all to listen to. I spent thirty years writing software and building equipment that will never see the light of day. Now that I'm retired, I can just enjoy making things. Thanks for sharing.
Only one video on your channel - time to make more!
@@davelanciani-dimaensionxI publish my attempts on my @SoundThumper channel
'There's just so much fun to be had in answering that "what if"'. I love this and it's very true I think for many. Great 'art' here, friend. Please keep it up because it helps people like me (someone who works full-time but is actively creating my own art when I'm not working) keep being inspired. I believe there is optimism in art too - Aside from complete fun/freedom there is in creating it, having the 'what ifs' in the back of your mind is an incredible feeling too.
I appreciate the exploration of art & content. As a game developer I also think about this with game development. I appreciate that your introspection and exploration feels authentic. It feels real even through the lens of production. Human expression is art for the folks that find it so. Do and chase what you want to in life my dude.
This is beautiful art. Thank you.
Absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for deciding to share. ❤
Firstly... the footage in this piece is truly remarkable. The drone shots in the mountains... ***chefs kiss***
Secondly... To me, there's a difference between Art as a practice, and Art as a commercial proposition. Ever since specialisation gave the term "artist" (as a vocation) there has always been a tension between artist as creator, and artist as income earner. But art is always about more than simple technical proficiency. "Content" - i.e. passionless professional execution of artistic technique has existed well before the internet.
As an example, graphic designers can take pride in their work, but if they're simply executing the ideas that other people have and not injecting their own artistic vision into the mix, that's only ever content. On the flipside, a work lacking in technical proficiency informed by an artistic vision is still art. It might not be "technically" good, but I think it remains "art" independent of any kind of qualitative assessment. Any work whose primary inspiration is getting paid (and all of the creative compromises that might be required to make that happen) is going to be more "Content" than art made for the intellectual and aesthetic value of the work product. Art is creation for creation's sake. Content is creation for capitalism's sake.
Of course, that doesn't mean that art can't be commercially successful. It just means that your commercial success (or not) as an artist is driven by an appreciation for the vision and passion behind what you produce, not creating content explicitly designed for commercial exploitation.
I am a fan of what you're doing on the channel right now. I wish I could afford to support it with more than eyeballs. Your introspections and discussions on these topics are informed by a genuine passion for the process of investigation and mentation about the topics you're covering. To me, that makes it art. Your technical proficiency in these things is improving, but that doesn't make the art any more "arty" because as I said - art isn't about qualitative measures. Art is what you'd create even if money didn't exist. (Which it doesn't in any objective way. But that's an argument for another day.)
Well put!
THIS IS ART !!!! And you are a amazing youtuber... I feel this so much on different levels. Please keep going and thanks for your art. Cheers TweakerRay
Thee TweakerRay? Love your Survivalism remix man!
I originally found this channel for music tips. Now I come back because it provides mini short films that make me think. It's art.
"Slaves to the Khantent" Almost impossible not to think about 'engagement' or 'viewers, likes. etc.' But once I personally let go about caring about any of that and just started creating on my own schedule for my own wants/needs made a point of contacting people I wanted to see/hear it instead of throwing it out to the masses I started to see some natrual growth in my work not only monetary but satisfactory and developed some great realtionships.
I don't refuse to be on social platforms, but like you at the end of this video said I refuse to play the game cause the only winners are the platforms and advertisers. I once had an artist rep of a very popular gear company tell me they loved "social media stars" because endorsing them saved so much on marketing. Big eye opener there.
Your videos and libraries have been a huge influence in my rapid growth as a musician that I truly can never thank you properly for. So glad I got to meet you briefly at NAMM (picked the angry phooto haha) Looking forward to what you put out, whenever you put it out. The way it should be haha.
Are you freaking kidding me?! This is totally art, Cameron! I feel like I watched a beautiful short documentary film. You do a great job! And I love the way you think about creating what you truly love no matter how many viewers or listeners it's gonna bring you compared to content made just for getting attention. I too feel that there's no point in doing something you don't really believe in and don't think is truly important for you. Meanwhile RUclips recommends me another fucking video about which DAW is the best... Cameron, you're a gem, your videos are great, thank you for what you do!
Yeah, I think it’s art.
I have similar thoughts about my photography, but I feel better having decided it’ll never be my job.
I think this is essentially the bitter - but also liberating - pill 99% of creativity driven people have to swallow sooner or later in their life. And i'm quite sure that the fact, that there is a whole industry based on building up hopes for people that they "are gonna make it", doesn't make this process easier.
In the middle of this, an ad pops up selling prepackaged animated explainer videos. I really enjoyed this one. Well done.
This was like a Douglas Coupland book on tape, err video... and I heartily approve. Dude, this is totally art.
YES, it IS Art.
You got the "thumbs up" at 44 sec.
For what it is worth, I totally dig (almost) ALL your music, videos, rants, photography, on and on...
My goodness this is amazing. Honestly, these are the types of things that have so many elements that feel full. I’m not sure I’m as interested or fussed about the question posed as to whether something is art or not because I don’t find there’s an inherent benefit either way. I think it’s easy to get stuck on a label of any sort. In politics people will veer away from words that make their hair stand on end, not that they are against the thing or for it but something about the word is too sticky or phobic. It doesn’t change that there are impacts of whatever issue and something will either happen in reality or not. I think RUclips can function as a place for people to view stuff that people have done or learn about things, as a medium it has impacts on what is made inherently and as artists, or creators or RUclipsrs or brand jockeys, whatever, will decide what their artist statements are or things they align with or not or dreams or aspirations as a whole on and off the platform. For you and this point of your craft, you’re into a new period, you’re questioning and evolving and experiencing turmoil by nature of the medium. In this case, it isn’t resourcing materials, there’s social, mechanical, algorithmic challenges and of course the question you emphasized all to eloquently of why to do it or any of it at all. Even in wanting to not have a precomposed formula to repeat is in itself a brief almost right. Honestly, I wish there were more room for artists to explore and create and I’m excited about more people on the platform making thoughtful longform content that is the opposite of cat memes. Things that have some weight as to our human existence, even if the experience of the person capturing the content and telling the story is different than what is portrayed. I guess, what I’m trying to say in my super non-concise way is that I’m for this and anything you want to create and hope that whatever turmoil you experience within this whole process can subside, not because you thrust it down, or that you frame it in a way that you’re taking it too seriously, just that there is some peace with it. Who knows, maybe peace wouldn’t even work for the art haha. Anyhow, keep it up!
Art NEVER exists in the Age of Content - it exists in the Age of Discontent!
Oof
lol u just answered the question
This! Be a malcontent!
Art always has and always will exist.
@@Dr.Garlic. Art comes from intent. Good art comes from hard work.
The irony of how artistic this video really was. Feels as much like a film as it does “content”. If there’s an artistic side to making content then you lean very heavily to that side. Inspiring work dude. Insightful perspectives here.
These shots are insane!!! Feeeling very similar at a much smaller skill level!!! Keep keepin on! Art for art! I think this is some of the best art I’ve seen this year! I needed to hear this today.
What matters is the passion in the moment, and (just hopefully) memorabilia.
Same as for life itself.
The artist is the one that wants to share, but that doesn't surrender to completely selling themselves to judgement of others, those strangers that might catch & feel the message or totally miss the value.
The artist does it for themselves first, for expression. But you know that already.
It's the economy (of money, of ego) that always threatens to corrupt purity of intentions.
And the battle is to not surrender to that, and hack the system.
Your video is beautiful, existential and questioning, almost like a Terrence Malick movie.
Already trying to express personally, rather than to be successful, makes you deep like a Van Gogh.
Maybe it'll drown in content suggestions and dopamine; but who cares, that's what you wanted to create.
It was sparking inspiration; that's what matters.
Hello mr Venus,
Story time.
I've been producing songs/music videos on RUclips for the past 10+ years, more or less consistently. You are very accurately describing the struggles I've dealt with for all this time. Because I've always resisted producing to fit the "formula"(whatever it might be at the moment), and because of that, I've seen countless artists and musicians speed past me.
I've had to swallow that pill because...I know I won't be able to create long-term without retaining the agency of being able to do whatever the hell I want to do.
And I don't want to show my face every 6 seconds. I don't want to write hits. I don't want to release 4-5 pieces of content every week and see what sticks. I want to grow, I want to learn, I want to improve, and I want to stay creative and explore what I can do. I simply can not do that with the restrictions demanded by the formula.
Thank you for making this video. I truly empathize with your struggles and I encourage you to keep doing what you're doing. In the end, if you can't look back on your work and feel satisfaction, why do it at all?
I'm on your Discord server as Falconshield. Hit me up if you bitch about this together.
VT, you are an artist in the way that you truly understand what it means to create art. It is not just about writing a piano melody because it sounds cool, or painting something because that is what you feel like. It is about manifesting a new perspective, ultimately enriching our world and making more whole, more beautiful. That, along with so many insightful perspectives you have provided, is something that without the "content" medium on platforms I arguably wouldn't have figured out.
Please remember that through all the "circus-act bullshit to cater to the masses" you provide us with invaluable philosophies and ideas, and that your authenticity and knowledge is something which is truly valued, rather than simply consumed. The notion of content creation is a curse to the artist, but the gift is that you have inspired more people than you might think to create, and find happiness and beauty within this creation. That, in itself, is art to me.
Great video! Very relatable and it felt like you struck the balance of content and art with the beautiful shots and haunting music.
It's a weird time to try to be an artist, and what an artist is might not make as much sense as it used to prior to this modern age. It seems as though artists are a subset of a group of people who go out on their own strange path and soak up all of these thoughts and feelings in response to environment and experience, and then find themselves compelled to push those out in ways that can captivate people so that they care about the stories of what we've seen. There's a real sense of coherence or incoherence of what fits within the scope of what we're making to present to the world, and it seems like the best art is that which captures that coherence and draws you in to tell you what it needed to share. But it is totally a competition now of chopping down your song, packing it with interesting moments so people don't get bored, and shaving off any rough edges to not make an auditory faux pas. Maybe it was always a competition anyway. Everyone has their interpretation of life, and most people want to share their stories regardless of what they spend their time doing. We're this weird egocentric self that feels like if we just push in these creative domains then we'll have earned the right to be heard because we've done the selfless and difficult thing to create beauty.
And then there's all the stuff about what the point of ones life is. We're surrounded by re-tellings of the hero's journey because it has always been our species favorite story, and struggling on to find that pot of gold is the struggle that gives our life meaning and purpose. To notice how shallow and silly it is, and how unlikely we are to succeed in the face of all our competition is soul destroying. Especially when the only thing that ever made sense to you to do is create. So easy to find yourself listlessly drifting in the void. Aimlessly watching on as the mindless grind of physics churns around you. "If you could just listen to my story, things could be different" is the faint whisper in the back of my mind. I know that is a sentiment that I am telling myself as a loose justification to keep pressing on. I don't know what to do. I am just strapped into this ride and witnessing the world as it blurs past me faster and faster.
As I've consumed more and more content online, the more I crave more informal/grungy content where its just the creator and the camera. Or just a static photo on screen and the creator talks over it. There's something a lot more personal about how casual it is, and I find myself gravitating towards that. When RUclips creators make a video about burning out or being confused about the future...people resonate not so much because of the topic, but because that creator appears more like us...confused and human.
Exactly the point I reached in my artistic life. I’m just producing whatever I feel like producing and that’s alright.
Great job, Cameron. Art also is self-reflection. Asking questions. Being uncomfortable. Feeling insecure. You are on the right track, I guess :) Thanks a lot & keep on rockin!
In my limited world of Instagram with my limited reach of followers I came to the same conclusion that not giving a shit what others/the algorithm want is the difficult path that is likely the most fulfilling and least soul-sucking.
Ours is the art of sound & song, but it’s also the art of growing as a human being. Whether it’s finding meaning or healing ourselves or something or someone else, it’s expressing ourselves, being human, and hearing our unique and authentic voice bounce back to us off the walls of Plato’s cave as we grope and stumble our way through the darkness.
I wish I could like this video more than once. You’ve so eloquently articulated so many things I’ve been thinking and feeling about this topic.
And, your work is beautiful. Please, please don’t stop.
“No matter how much of your heart and soul you pour into something, it’s still just as disposable as everything else on that platform.” Man I think about this ALL the time. It’s messed up but I don’t see any way out of it.
Yesterday I was working on finalizing tracks for an upcoming album and for the intro to the first song, I was struggling with how long to have a windy/resonant ambience in the beginning. The artist in me wants the intro to be nearly a minute to allow one to really be enveloped by the atmosphere, but I am also aware of typical listener and skip statistics. Then again, with 10 monthly Spotify listeners, I should do whatever I want since it "doesn't matter". Also, no one cares. Then again, no one will care if they never experience the first song that took me many months to write/record.
Thank you for your service in all things free therapy and inspiration for artists. I think it is important to remember not to think of yourself as a creator/grand architect, but more of an explorer--you go on a journey (whether it is with film, music, painting, writing) and bring something back to share with the world and that is the best you can do. I think here you brought back the right things even though those ideas were not the original intent.
This is like a documentary about where art is today! Loved everything about the video! I can't begin to comprehend how much work went into this project! Glad someone takes up these questions and that you ended up making something beautiful!
One of the best independently created film I have seen in a long time. Multiple levels of relatability with the frustrations of an artist inevitably turning into a content creator and my ‘art’ turning to content. I’m glad you had this conversation, it put my practice into perspective questioning my approach to creating too! Appreciate all you do brother 👊🏽💚
"what about you?" To answer this question: art is in the eye of the beholder, but to be creative, to be artistic, that only resides in the heart of an artist. Your monologue in this piece, could be taken as "essay",that is art of a form. Text can be set, art can be text; or colour, or shape or intent. I'm a poet and writer, these things I can approach from the purely creative drive that makes me want to say what I want to say...and I scrutinise each word, each beat of rhythm in cadence of delivery, whether I'm going to do a Ginsberg and stomp around bleeding into the crowd with furry, or just stand and recite.
You are beautiful, as your art is you, it is beautiful, I get it.
I’ve been waiting for someone to make something about this topic forever. You vocalized exactly how I feel. So happy I found your channel. Just to know, through hearing every word of this video, that me and a lot of other artists in the modern time are not alone in this feeling. Fuckin dope man 🔥🔥🔥
See...This is why im subscribed to this channel. You go to other subjects that deviates from making music in the sense of tutorials and tips ,tricks ...companies trying to sell you a new plugin and all of that the we are all tired of finding on RUclips every time we want to see what's new about this industry. You hit subjects about the things that could really put down a creator/musician/ artist , the mental struggles and all that that could take us away from what we really want to do. im loving your content. Great and awesome video 👌🏻.
I needed this video. It wasn't what I expected, but exactly what I needed.
exactly 👍
You are one of my favorite “content creators” that I have found within the last year or so, especially as an amateur artist myself, you help me keep this shit going.
Thank you so much for 20 minutes of helping me put words to how I do feel right now - in such wonderful words. I sincerely appreciate what you do - stay true to yourself as we all should do a little more often.
For whatever it’s worth, I’m always enraptured by everything about your videos: the craftsmanship, the carefully curated original assets and camera work, editing, the colour grading, the sound, the music (good Lord, the music), and of course your philosophical musings in that rich calm voice. You my friend, are an artist, and so I think art is just a habit for you now. You probably make art even when you don’t mean to. As an electrician, I’ve seen many homeowners’ attempts at electrical work. Some terrible awful work and even once, maybe, actually not bad work. But just because they may have done some good work, does not mean they are electricians.
Beautifully shot, edited, written and spoken.
Making art involves confronting paradox. The moment you create something it's art, even if no one else ever sees/ hears/ experiences it. This a true statement. But we humans, as social animals, as individual souls in an ocean of souls, yearn to share our experience, to get our art "out there." This is also a true statement. The current means of disseminating art, the platforms of modern life, give us immense opportunity to share, but in a way that is profoundly lonely and atomized. You don't know me, and we will probably never meet, but your anguished personal video essay about art and content was received by this viewer as art. It stimulated me to reflect on my own artistic creations over the years, and the way that sometimes the most unlikely events can come back to you to prove that one's art, and the very uniqueness of it, can have an impact far beyond oneself. Carry that faith with you and keep creating!
I’m my opinion, content is one of those words that is more from IT than art. It is the sort of dull concept that makes me take in a big tired breath as I think about the vast amount and proliferation of it. Really enjoyed the video and watched all of it.
Hey, the pictures you are throwing at us are just jaw-droppingly beautiful and artistic! The composition, the colours, the editing, everything is really professional. Your videos, especially recently, are much more artistic then most of the content on RUclips. I would definitely watch a similar video of yours with only pictures and music, no talking.
The platform might not be perfect, but there are other platforms too. I hope you find your inner peace and the ideal ways to express yourself - in my eyes you are definitely an artist in so many ways.
Congratulations again for the quality of this video! Watching it for the second time (from the second account) to add to its views! :)
Art is, and is just as intangible and abstract as love. You're a good storyteller, as evident in this video. Do what your heart is telling you.
One thing I've noticed is that there was a time when I was in high school in the early 2000's we would quote a movie for months or even a few years and today anymore it feels like we're just hurrying to the next new thing.
I think it's because of this drive to produce as much content as expediently as possible that , I think, hinders a good artistic process. I think good art takes a lot of time to allow it to develop into something actually worth watching or listening to. Boards of Canada is one of my most favorite bands, and yet their album output is so spaced out for years that it's not consistent. Yet I find myself appreciating artists more who don't constantly upload, and because of the rarity of their output, it feels more valuable to me.
I think art is when you don’t care who will like it! You just express yourself in way you want it.
Content is more about to create something, that is public asking.
Your video is absolutely the ART! ;)
Cameron, I think you're a philosopher of creativity as well as an artist. Your analysis of what's happening to our species due to faceless algorithms and huge overconsumption of online "content" is spot-on. I don't blame you one bit for saying "fuck it, I'm just going to do what I want to do". My attitude to making videos and music is pretty much just that. Make what you've got to make and if people like it then great. But I don't bother chasing likes or views.
Beautiful words, beautiful images, Cameron. To put it very, very shortly, I believe art is intentionality. Whatever happens after the thing is done, is not up to the artist anymore. That's a frightening thought, but freeing.
Bro, this was so incredibly heartfelt. This hits me in my feels. In my professional career, I'm a writer who's made a pretty damn decent career for myself. But, I often skip writing the stuff I'd truly love to because I know that sameness is the name of the game and that even if people want creative progress and unique art, the algorithms won't allow it.
I'm so glad that you are both out there doing this your way, and documenting the struggles with it for all of us. As always you have given me a lot of food for thought about my own journey on RUclips.
As some who JUST created a Soundcloud not 2 weeks ago and started producing as a beginner, this give me motivation that whatever I do is for me and I don't care if people dislike my taste in music. It's for me and if it becomes a full time job 5, 10, 20 years down the road then great. If it doesn't - whatever - because the point of it all was to make myself happy. Not the metrics.
Great video. I personally loved this Art and will be here to stay for whatever is next.
These are the types of videos I prefer. there are a few creators on here that make content like this, You and Ben Jordan being a couple in the Music Sphere, there are a couple more in the commentary sphere. . .
Long story short, please keep doing what you want to do, because there are some of us who really appreciate it!
I could watch this as an hour long documentary. Just watching incredible good footage and hear you talking about things. This is art, you are an artist. And most important - your art is highly valuable. I appreciate the effort you put into this and i can only imagine how much work it was to not just do the actuall footage, but to cut it and also put all your thoughts into this well chosen words. Dude, i appreciate it so much. Thanks, just thanks. Please don´t stop.
I truly believe that 'Is this art?' is a question for critics. And better questions for artists are things like, "What compels me?"
Struggling to make a living without productifying everything you do, though... I don't have an answer for that.
Bro your vids are art. You are an artist. I watch your vids because you are a deep thinker and great storyteller. You fill a huge gap in the music production space. Thanks for being authentically you!
Geezuz! Thank GOD! What an amazing piece of work!!!
I am so beside myself with RUclips as it is the place artists need to go. (For now)
Of course there are many platforms and venues but the reach is here.
What an beautiful piece of art... and of thoughtful and provocative questions.
I believe one of the big problems of RUclips is the persistence of monetization of the platform and for creators.
The incentives are to become big by "following the algorithm".
• Clickbait titles...
• Thumbnail design...
• Retention graph scripts...
• Formulaic hook and payoffs...
• Numbered Steps (always under 7 steps) to {do absolutely anything}...
• 18 minutes of repurposed content simply because it's POPULAR!!!...
• Another half hr video on "The basics of... {completely basic information}...
...and on and on... it's nauseating!!!
Thank you for being a breath of breathtakingly fresh air! 🙏
RUclips artists and the art they create are as real as any other art created on any other platform or medium. I watch live music performances on YT often and I consider them impressive and inspiring. I will say i prefer watching live performances vs bedroom performances but will still get down with either. Your content is rad, and I enjoy it. It would be really cool to watch videos of you performing your original music.
I enjoyed this. It's been a long time since I've been on a road trip, it was nice to see the scenery and the music. My favorite part about this video was actually the end credit bits. And yes, it's your art, who gives a crap about anyone else's opinion! During this February, I made and released 7 albums of ambient music that hardly anyone is going to ever hear. I paint too and hardly anyone ever sees it.
Just keep making stuff dude. It's good. Keep doing it.
Something I put in all my notebooks on the first page
" You have to do it. It doesn't matter if someone else did their version. Do yours. You don't know how long you will be able to. "
and that's the real art - truthful passion and originality in itself. Stay as you are! many love to hear the truth when lies are the new vision of this world....
When you look at history, every artist had to deal with what they were given... I mean we love Mozart and look at him with nostalgic lenses of an older time, but one could say that he "sold out" too because he wrote commissioned music for other people and events unrelated to himself. In a world where attention is a currency, you're standing out. It makes a huge difference dude. Youve accomplished becoming more than just content
Your language, vocabulary, yes, including those precious f and s words etc, is art. You're not saying "like" every other word and. Keep going, C. Best from Poland.
Art is a slow time based experience, social media is fast and people’s appetite is insatiable
Art is when you end up with something because it feels good to you. Maybe there'll be others who also will enjoy the same thoughts and details you communicate. But only maybe.
Content is when your focus is on what others want. What fits the algorithm, what "sells". Regardless of whether you feel fulfillment making it.
So of course we would want to be heard when we make art. And in a setting like youtube, it most likely is almost impossible to see it reflected in the numbers.
But... Let me say that I found this video wonderfully deep, "real" and well produced. It inspired thoughts for reflection in me. I'm sure you've made others feel this way as well. Although the majority wants to be entertained and most just scrolled to the next video.
So... Don't let go of making art. For yourself. For your satisfaction. And for that smaller group that really gets touched. At least once in a while.
I watch a lot of RUclips on my main TV, so I appreciate good cinematography and slower, vast vistas. Not everything has to be shot at a frenetic pace. This is why I love RUclips more than other social media channels because more people here spend the time to make things both visually interesting as well intellectually interesting. I watched this video without doing other things at the same time, it held my attention, and I wanted to know what you were going to say next. I’d say that is art. ❤
The difference between art and content is in the intent.
No matter how high production quality of an ad for tissues may be, it's still an ad only = content.
No matter how poor the final product is, if it contains thought and intent for expression it is art.
Hi Cameron. I truly appreciate your struggle, and even more appreciate that you're putting that struggle up online. That is brilliant! I'm pretty sure artists (in all media) going back decades and centuries have all had these crises/struggles. I'm thinking here about, eg, Renaissance painters who relied on commissions from wealthy patrons or merchants, etc, to stay afloat. Today we look at these paintings and we marvel at the artist's work, but to the artist at the time it was purely transactional, and about keeping himself and his family afloat. These commission pictures were just business, and might even have been considered *content*.
Have you visited the Museum of Modern Art in New York? I haven't (I live in Australia), but some years ago our big art gallery did a deal with MoMA, and we got a huge exhibition of Modern Art, all the famous stuff, and more besides.
It was amazing! Because this was the era when the question of “what is art?” came very much into focus. So there was Picasso and Pollock, and Andy Warhol, and so many more. Have you seen Andy Warhol's work in person? This exhibit included his soup cans painting, with all the varieties of Campbell soup. And you could see, up close, all his meticulous brushwork. The way each can was rendered uniquely (aside from the different soup flavours). It was mesmerising. There were also what looked like ordinary cardboard boxes from a grocery store-but were carefully rendered replicas.
Warhol drew attention to the ordinary and gave it an aura, a mystique, by *selecting it*, and reproducing it like this.
Jackson Pollock, too, pouring coloured paint in patterns and swirls onto huge sheets of canvas stretched out on his garage floor-didn't know exactly what he was doing, couldn't describe it to you, but his work is deep and mesmerising.
What is art? Marcel Duchamp pointed at a toilet urinal and said that *it* was art, because he, an artist, said it was. This has been a very powerful view in the decades since-even as, in recent times, we are starting to find out that Duchamp was a fraud.
RUclips is a format for art, same as any other. Andy Warhol would have been all over it.
But it is also a commercial medium designed to use up creative people.
Your music is tremendous, but no artist is *entitled* to an audience (trust me on this as a writer of books that hardly get me any royalties). There are plenty of great artists, musicians, you name it, who are never recognised in their lifetimes. 🤷♂️
But please keep going with what you do, and keep talking about it. Consider writing a book about it.
While you're on RUclips, look up “The Shock of the New”, by Australian art critic Robert Hughes. It's from the 1970s, but is a masterful survey of Modernism and how it transformed the world. Recommended!
Thanks for coming to my TED talk! ;)
This is art, lovely shots. The content of this video was profound. Keep creating. This is art.
As much as this moved me and made me feel, think and engage. This is art too me. You are not just a great musician but also a great videographer. Take care of yourself Cameron!