Do Not Overcomplicate Things

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simple

There is a new tendency in our society to overcomplicate things that are by nature simple. Why take 100 steps and many turns to reach something that is reachable with 3 steps? I am not talking about the common core curriculum in case you are wondering, but since you mentioned it, that’s a good example. It happens in music performances too. Watching the Grammy Awards (no, it is not a competition for grandmothers. That would be the Granny Awards; although most of these artists are really old) I can tell how songs that are not necessarily good were over-adorned to make them somehow ‘better’. You know a true musical artist when they can sing and don’t need too much around them to be good. It happens in visual arts as well. We can tell when a painting or a sculpture, or whatever it could be art nowadays is overcomplicated. We see it in how people organize events. I’ve been in too many corporate meetings that get nowhere because people can’t reach a decision on things that are simple.

I grew up in a household where we didn’t have an issue making or doing good things that were indeed simple. For us it has to look good without too much. We never had a need to gold-plate what was already beautiful in its simple form. One of the most important aspects I learned is being satisfied to provide a great atmosphere for our guests by being there and relating to them. I interact with people in all my shows because that’s the right thing to do. It is more valuable than art on the wall, expensive wine, and gold-plated glasses, while the artist stand scare or overconfident in a corner expecting some kind of recognition instead of acknowledging the people who makes the show successful. People need people interaction. I don’t care how much society wants to complicate an event, at the end what people need is people, a friendly conversation, a smile, someone they can relate to.

In 2010 I had my first opportunity to show my work. I learned a few things about putting together a show and I follow that plan for my shows since (see How To Prepare For Your Show) I have now my first chance to give back and organize a show for a few friends. I am not going to participate directly in this show as an artist. Although my work has a permanent exhibit area in the gallery this is their show. It indeed provides curator experience for me which is great. Nevertheless, I do not overcomplicate things. I have a good idea of the work I’ve seen from the artists, designed the blueprint of the show, created a to-do list for them and for me and all we need to do is to work on each of the pieces and put them together. There is no need to over-adorn what is already good. The reception requires a few more details but I already noted the vision for it. Again, it doesn’t have to be complicated. It is going to be great and I can’t wait to give you all the details so you can join us.

Retrace Your Steps

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figure study

You came into the room. You stopped. Looked around. You are trying to remember why you came to the room and what you were looking for. You know how it is to get those mental blackouts. “What was I looking for?” That’s often the first question that pops. Now you have to go back and retrace your steps.

I find interesting when in movies and television shows they begin the story at a point almost to the end to go back and tell the story to that point. Then the action picks up to complete the story. It would make to sense to continue the story from that point before giving us the back story. There is a purpose for that last scene and some hints are provided through the story.

When painting we often get caught up in a tiny detail and forget to step back and look at the big picture. In sculpting, specially figurative sculpting, each detail needs to make sense with the complete figure. We need to step back from time to time and retrace our steps to that moment to understand our progress. Then we move on to the next step.

As 2014 comes to an end it is very easy to forget why we are here. It is very easy to get caught up in a tiny detail of today and forget how we made it here. I mean, we are here for a purpose, right? Would it make sense to move forward in the story not knowing why we are here? Take a moment and retrace your steps to the beginning of the year. See the big picture. The fact that you made it from the beginning of the year until now is reason enough to celebrate.