„"An artist is a creator, the author of a work of art or more broadly of artistic creation, a person who is actively engaged in art." It says "actively engaged". Constantly and continuously. It's every artist's dream, and is it possible? Is it just an ideal?
Aristotle says: "An artist is a craftsman who works according to rules." Is it still there today? Who adheres to them and who rejects them? What leads to artistic genius? Freedom, rules or what?
A couple of colleagues from the music, art and drama department wanted to discuss this topic with me and answer some questions.What does "permanent employment" in your profession represent for you, and what and how much does it gain and what and how much does it lose?
Employment options for someone who has studied visual arts are not common, but certainly some of them follow the standard pattern of permanent employment, regular income, hourly wages, etc. Work in cultural institutions, schools, creative studios, etc. In addition, there are jobs that are more related to project work and the general independent engagement of the artist in the field of his creative practice. I have personal experience of both. I work as a teacher at a school, and at the same time I also do independent practice presentations as well as project work. Working at a school ensures a more regular income, but of course there are modules that are respected and the repetition of the program, which may become less interesting in practice over time. Project work gives more opportunities for new experiences, meeting new people from practice, both local and from abroad. However, the whole process of searching, writing and realizing a project can sometimes be exhausting and often frustrating. Also, the financial aspect varies a lot and is not fixed, which can seriously affect the entire principle of work and lifestyle.
It represents a type of security, constant monthly salary, seniority, health insurance. On the other hand, you have to deal with topics that may not concern you personally, as a freelance artist you can deal with stories that are personally meaningful to you and maybe even develop more as a young artist, perhaps the Institution, as much as it has many advantages, is also a kind of brake.
In our country, this most often represents employment in a state institution (in our case, most often in a school). For some artists it is the first wish, and for some it is the last. I think that state institutions such as schools, cultural centers etc... do not give much freedom to artists to express themselves because they are part of a system that has not been updated for years. Somehow, you fall into that system and risk losing your creativity, because that system eats you up over the years. I believe that there may be exceptions, but they work all day, one shift at an institution, and the other something for themselves privately. What you get with "permanent employment" is a regular salary and existence, but I don't think any artist goes to school with that goal in mind.
Employed artist - system, dependence, existence, security, flexibility, responsibility
I don't think so.
Certainly a difficult position. It takes a lot of patience, strength to fight for what you want. Milism that it is even more difficult for women, because no one cares what happens to pregnant freelance artists. And how can you even decide on a family when everything is uncertain, and there is no strong Union that protects your rights.
I think they are not visible and appreciated enough, they are seen as "weirds", because in our society it is still true that you are important only if you are a doctor, lawyer, economist, etc. Other professions are not of vital importance and "can be done without". Maybe in recent years it's going a bit more upward in favor of artists, but I'm not sure.
Is a "free" artist in Serbia really and how free?
I don't believe that anyone really holds any serious limit to the prohibition of creativity. I am free to work. The possibilities of implementation, support and reaction of the environment to the work is another matter.
He is free until all freedom is paid for. There are taxes that of course everyone has to pay, and no one cares about the unemployed artists.
I think he is free, but if he wants to be accepted, known, etc. maybe he still has to set some boundaries for himself.
How did the situation with the corona virus affect freelance artists and did you feel fear at some point?
The corona virus has greatly affected the field of creative creators, those who carry out their practice in public places and cultural institutions. Mobility, which is somewhere in the basis of the realization of most project activities, was disabled. Budgets were reduced, projects were canceled and the overall collective anxiety and depression of isolation that arose after the outbreak and further development of the situation with the pandemic had a large negative impact on the possibilities of developing the practice. I myself felt the same fear, frustration and general stagnation.
I didn't feel fear about it when the pandemic started, because then I was still tucked away at the Academy, then there was preparing the diploma via the zoom platform, another new experience. I am sure that it was very difficult for people whose existence depended on temporary jobs, which did not exist then. Basically, most freelance artists are forced to do some work on the side, which has nothing to do with their chosen profession, for the sake of existence.
I think she was very influential. There are more downsides than upsides. Maybe it's a good thing that people were at home and had time to devote themselves to some more serious work at home (musicians were recording, painters were painting, maybe some serious script was being written, etc...), and on the other hand, I felt a great fear that I would never again stand on stage and feel contact with the audience.
How do you see these two positions - "free" artist and "employed" artist, describe in three words?
Work – Work – Work.
Free artist - power, creativity, courage, uncertainty, persistence
Employed artist - system, dependence, existence, security, flexibility, responsibility
