What Makes YOU an Artist? | Reflecting on the Boundaries of Artistry.

What makes us artists?

Who decides what art is?

And what is the difference between being really good at something and being an artist and creator in that very discipline?

Is art defined by the observer or by its creator?

[Flag Dance Motion, Feb 2024, Düsseldorf]

These questions have been on my mind for a few months now, specifically since I was offered and agreed to collaborate with some talented musicians and dancers here in Düsseldorf for an experimental performing art project named "Dare To Dare".

After almost twelve years away from the stage, the dance and music worlds, and performing arts in general, the questions above have naturally arisen, as follow-ups to one main question:

Am I 'still' an artist?

One may argue that some of the most amazing artists that the world has come to know in music, art, theatre, painting, acting, sculpturing, and more... have lived or live their lives fully absorbed by their craft. Some never even went to school to "learn" it, yet managed to succeed existentially through their art form, at times even professionally.

Cut Piece (1964) performed by Yoko Ono

Jimi Hendrix

 

Bill Traylor Man and Cat on Organic Form 1939 - 1942

Tori Amos

Arbol de la Esperanza - Tree of Hope, Remain Strong, 1946 by Frida Kahlo

Jim Carrey

Jennifer Lawrence

Bob Dylan

Although the self-taught-artist part of the argument does not apply to the dance world, an academic and professional dance journey requires you to invest (and often sacrifice) just as much, if not more energy, time, and resources throughout your entire life, by dedicating your body, heart and soul to this mesmerizing and bittersweet path. Is that the only way to become a true dancer, though?! 

As a former professional dancer, with many years of intense formal training, it has taken me decades to detach myself from its rules and guidelines and to finally let myself go and dive deep into my inner artistry. Some teachers explain it as the difference between being a student and becoming an artist.

I suppose that as a young person, once you are bullied into thinking that true dance is firstly about technique, physical figure and flexibility for so many years, it will take you just as much time (perhaps even longer) to snap out of the abusive relationship with your own self and craft, in order to go beyond the merely physical and visual aspects of dance - ...potentially a topic for a different blog entry.

One thing is true for all artists: their excellence is the natural result of a passion so intense and an obsession so strong, they simply cannot stop practicing or even imagine a life without spending each day dedicated to their craft. Many artists have excelled and still do, simply driven by their insatiable need to express their emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings through their art form - it is a true life necessity, rather than a choice.

So, what about me?

By taking a break of over ten years, can I still consider myself an artist?

A dancer?!

Many people in this world strongly believe that you either are or aren't an artist and that if you aren't, you will probably never become one. In my personal view, I like to change that statement to: once an artist, always an artist. Indeed, I believe that once you manage to find an art form that speaks to your spirit and figure out that you can use it as a channel for self-expression, congrats! You are an artist.

You may be just starting your journey or in the process of developing new ways to create something in order to express what needs to be channelled. Just because you don't have former training or decades of time dedicated to it, go for it! - explore your craft and let it absorb your body and mind fully.

Experiences involving any form of creation and connection to our soul are rarely forgotten and forever reflect part of who we are as a person. 

In my lifetime, I have always been creative and felt particularly drawn to dance and movements as forms of expression. Writing stories was one of my favourite hobbies as a young girl - creating music came to my awareness later on in life. I can certainly say that a big part of me (if not all of it) has always been an artist.

Whether it has been through writing a story, a song, playing an instrument, dancing my thoughts away, channelling my emotions through choreography, drawing or singing, and last but not least while working - and yes! pretty much performing - in a classroom with my children and teenagers during my teaching career, my life has always been characterized by elements of creativity and creation, of passionate dedication, and artistic expression.

If you are reading this blog entry and you have never studied or practiced any art form, know that it is always there and available to you and waiting for you to be explored. We may not all become so-called A-List artists, but honestly WHO CARES.

Be the artist you want to be and create the art you know is missing in this world. You don't necessarily need a piece of paper nor any social recognition, if what you do comes from a place of love, passion, authenticity and creativity. To me that is true art - that is how we become true creators.

What people make of it is up to them - sure! If you can make one person think or speak up, smile, laugh, or cry thanks to your art, consider it a bonus. If you find one person or a few people you can share the creative journey with, it's an extra bonus!

I am very grateful for having had the opportunity to get back to creating art on and off-stage this year and stoked to be diving into a world of music, movement, and creativity with

Melanie @louretta.de, 

Norman @n.kinkysounds_dr.schmitt,

Marie @marie.zaza.mueller,

and Ivana @lola_plese. 

Dare To Dare | when experimental music and dance improvisation make you muster the courage to...

Trailer cut and edited by: Malte Tassilo Robra – Mataro Film

If you are interested in exploring the world of self-expression through movement, dance, flag dance motion, and aerial motion, check out Cara Motion | Kreative Bewegung, Tanz, Stressmanagement und Entspannung and join one of the Motion Courses, I am currently offering in Düsseldorf.

CaraMotion is a multigenerational and creative way to connect with your own body, your inner artist, and other people, while doing something good for your own well-being. move | breathe | balance | be

Looking forward to meeting you!

Thank you for reading and feel free to share your own personal opinion on my thoughts.