Sam Spiczka
Posts:
1,671
From:
Sartell, MN
Registered:
Jul 20, 2001
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Re: The Value of Community...
Posted:
Jan 28, 2004 8:16 PM
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Originally posted by Gabriel Combs:
Re: What are you doing today?
Posted: Jan 28, 2004 7:10 PM
> Something I think is relevant but don't yet know how
> it fits into the scheme of things... I'm reading a
> book about intelligences in life organisms. Part is
> about the use of feedback loops in bacteria to speed
> up evolution/adaption to their environment. Bacteria
> "communicate" with each other by passing/stealing
> genetic code and by modifying their interior
> processes in the face of stress to speed up
> mutations. Bacteria will even interact between
> "species" or different types as well, making the
> distinctions between them less meaningful.
Well, that's interesting...
> It occurred to me that arts communities in general
> but mnartists.org in particular could learn a lot
> from these bacteria. The forums speed up, make more
> efficient, and archive communication within the
> community. It can be used to modify our
> techniques/thoughts/behaviors at a very fast rate as
> well as influencing the type of behavior we choose.
> It allows us to borrow from other disciplines within
> the community as well, perhaps garnering a skill
> that is revolutionary for one but of minor
> importance to the other. I'm still working on it,
> but I might try to expand on this a bit later one.
You have been assimilated.
> My one main question though is that for bacteria,
> their goal is very simple; to survive and reproduce.
> (The author actually believes the goal is different,
> that it is to socialize.) What is the goal
> of the individuals on this community and the
> community in general? Is it merely to survive to
> make art another day? Is it to socialize with
> others, to meet them and broaden the reach of our
> own ideas? If y'all can help me with this question,
> I think I can take the next step in understanding.
>
> Sam
Part of me wants to say simply to art another day, but its more complicated. The socialization is key. Frequently, I feel less lonely if I have mnartists sitting here while I work. My main course to survival is continuing my work. But I am unable to sustain myself alone. Its all connected, and I don't feel too articulate to explain well. I think coming on here and seeing your work, Sam, has become a good motivator for me. A peer worthy of respect regarding the actual work is valuble. I think our two veins of work are quite a bit different, yet there is a straight body of work being done that I can understand and maybe relate to. I understand how to drive forward with the work, and I see that being done by the people who contribute to the forums here. The energy one has to exert to be producing work all the time is understood here also. No new car, new house, ect... Yet, I think that to artists, it is understood that the equivalent of those things is there. The work to get them is put in, but its always a gamble what you'll get back materially. The site has been contributing to solutions with the articles being posted, and the dialogue being stimulated. Its interesting to co-exist and even feel a part of this entity of community. Mnartists has played a role in how I have approached life and art also. I think I have become more sensitive and aware of communities in general. Its an issue that is coming up in art for me. Almost creating a struggle in the direction of my work. I find it fascinating why someone would like a certain peice, or even choose to buy a certain peice from me. Often, it has been the same peice that more than one person has liked. So, the struggle comes in that, am I a sell out to investigate the area further, even though I have genuine interest in doing so, partially based on the fascination with others favoring the area? It creates a social interaction in my work. I am respondant to this. End result, I think is that I will probably explore further, affected by others input/interest.
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