I recently finished The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin. And it was good. His description of what art is and why creating it matters was accurate.
But, who did he write it for?
Because after I finished it, I couldn’t help but think…
Hm…
That was good,
but it wasn’t for me.
And here’s why:
I’ve been drawing ever since I could pick up a crayon.
Nobody told me to. I just did.
During high school, I stumbled upon the hobby of cake decorating. I decided to make sugar my medium of choice and I became a Pastry Chef.
Nobody told me to. I just did.
Almost every job I’ve ever had, I’ve gone above what was required – not for a pat on the back – but, because I CARE.
Nobody told me to. I just did.
Does an Artist need to be told to make Art?
Or do we just know? Even if I hesitate, deep inside, I always know. I know if I’ve fallen short.
In the film, Frida (about the life of artist, Frida Kahl) Frida seeks out the artist, Diego Rivera to critique her work…
Frida Kahlo: I just want your serious opinion.
Diego Rivera: What do you care about my opinion? If you’re a real painter, you’ll paint because you can’t live without painting. You’ll paint till you die.
The point:
Creatives make art because we can’t NOT. No matter how you create Art – with paint, words, or with a generous act – you’re doing so, not because anybody told you to. You just do it.
For someone to try and convince us to do it is not only redundant, but a complete distraction from the work. The work that we’ve always known.
It’s like trying to convince someone to breathe…
“Denise, it’s really important for you to do the work of breathing! Really, I swear! Here’s why… “
Unfortunately, I couldn’t resonate with the idea of someone shoving the concept of creating art down my throat, when art is all I’ve ever known.
Every book has a target audience, and when it comes to “The Icarus Deception”, I am not the target. Linchpin (IMO) is Seth’s best work, and Graceful -though short, was eloquent and highly under-rated.
So, who is this book for?
I loved what Seth had to say about Art. He’s a great writer.
But, perhaps, his message was more for people who tend to toy around with the idea that maayyybe.. they could be Artists, if they really wanted, but never had the guts to try.
If that’s you, this book will probably inspire you to give Art a shot.
As for ME?
I’ve always given Art a shot. Still trying to work on my aim.
I think they are aωеsomе..
Art is not about trying, its about being.
Its about going from nothing to nothing, expecting nothing, to finding your way to something.
Its about engaging with mess and often being unclear with where you are going, its about being comfortable about being lost at times, and allowing the moment to take you there.
Interesting perspective. I agree about the “not trying”. I’m not big on the idea that we need to turn the whole world into Artists. In fact, I think focusing on the word “art” or “artists” is just going to confuse people because those words carry with them a certain emotion or even stereotype.
We all need each other no matter what our titles are – so it’s better to not put one title or job over the other.
Appreciate your thoughts.
I enjoyed reading you’re reflections on this book, which I think are more nuanced than many of the discussions out there. I’ve tried to think about what the Icarus deception might mean in an institutional context, and wrote a little ditty about that at http://bit.ly/14bU887 : Don’t fly to low: How new institutions can avoid the Icarus deception.
Thanks so much for the trackback! Your article focused more on the “fly too low or high” metaphor that seemed to have inspired the whole book. I didn’t touch on that at all in my post.
The story of Icarus that Seth used didn’t make an impact on me at all. I think books in this genre almost have “grade levels”. So, there comes a point in your experience where a message becomes too elementary. So, while Seth’s message was good… for me at this time in my life and experience, it wasn’t exactly necessary.
Appreciate your comment!
I’ve read a couple of Seth’s books too Denise but not this one. So I’m taking that he’s telling people that maybe they should give it a try!
I would think for anyone who has any type of talent and they enjoy it then like you said they would do it anyway. I’m sure a lot of people would love to be told that their work is good but it’s just like I’ve shared in several of my posts. Not everyone will like me or the way I write and that’s cool. I don’t care, it’s not for them obviously.
Now you’ve gone and gotten me curious. I’m going to have to check out the book.
~Adrienne
Exactly. And it’s nothing personal if what you write isn’t for them. And really, I find that I can’t *always* resonate with *every* article or book a person writes. There’s always going to be those few posts that don’t hit home like the others do, and that’s ok :)
Appreciate your comment! :)
I think we have a lot of repressed artists out there– people who were critiqued too harshly as kids or told that art wasn’t a viable career path. Clearly, this book is for them. You’re in the like… 1% of people who aren’t afraid to be artists all out. This book must be for the rest.
I’m actually in that group of people critiqued too harshly. Somehow I pushed through it with the help of friends. But, you make an excellent point. This book could be a great tool for boosting confidence.
Thanks for adding that!
After I replied to you, I realized something…
I’m not sure a book is enough to boost confidence. I think books plant seeds and make us think differently, and Seth always makes us think… but ultimately, we need people, connection and real LIVE support to help us in our pursuit of creating art.
There’s something about a live person telling you to your face.. “your art matters so keep at it” that makes a huge impact as oppose to a book. Books don’t talk back and call your bluff like a supportive friend or peer.
Anyways, that’s just been my experience, so I thought it was worth adding.
I’ve not read this one by Seth Godin yet. I’ve read several of his others and really liked them (I agree, Linchpin is great). From your description, though, I bet he’s targeting the people who need permission to go ahead and do it. He does seem to like to light a fire under people, and the people already creating don’t need that added motivation.
The way you describe your need to create is absolutely beautiful, by the way :)
Excellent point about permission. He did mentioned not waiting for permission in the book – many creatives might not need that message.
Thanks for your comment!
Haven’t read this one yet, but it’s definitely one I’ll get around to. Like you, Denise, creativity is something that’s hardwired into my core being. If I go too long without making something, I feel like I’ll shrivel up.
At the same time, the reason I started writing about creativity at all was because of some conversations I had with friends in which they told me about their struggles with creating. These weren’t lazy people; they were simply people who didn’t have the confidence to just try something. (We artists know that first drafts are always terrible! At least mine are.)
BTW, Linchpin was my fave, too!
Yeah, confidence can certainly be a common issue for creatives. Great point!
Your complaint about this book reminds me of my own when people get degrees in “entrepreneurialism”. Like art, I think that’s something you just *do*.
And not because you need to be born with some special spark to master the skills– simply because you can’t be satisfied by current standards. You’re always pushing, without really having a reason to. Which again, reminds me of your quote from Frida.
I think both these movements have become trendy, and tipped over into evangelism. That’s good, in that it allows for people to absorb the possibility that things could be different for them, but I think most of the people who are suited for the ‘club’ are already members. ;)
Your comment wins the day. I couldn’t have said it better. :)
Hey Denise, I’m really curious to read the book now especially because when I’ve heard him use the term “art” in the past, he has always meant, “that thing you are uniquely qualified to do”… Is he talking specifically to ‘artists’ in the book, or more to people in general who may not be actively fully using their talents? Anyway, I appreciate the honest review of the book – and I’m sure he, too, would recognize that not everything he writes will resonate with everyone in his tribe. Linchpin was definitely my favorite Godin so far, but I haven’t read all of his stuff.
I think when he refers to art/artists it can be any job. It’s not the type of work, it’s how you do it. I know housekeepers that are Artists in every sense of the word.
Check the book out and let me know what you think. It’s Seth’s usual poignant voice. My thing is that some people live this naturally and don’t need convincing. So, the book becomes more of something that simply reaffirms their feelings on art.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Could it be that you are the exception, not the rule Denise?
I think most people don’t (won’t) do the stuff he talks about (even Seth disciples). And, ironically, the people who need this book the most are the ones who will never read it (can’t tear them away from in front of their TV).
As for me, I enjoyed the book immensely (just finished it tonight). What I got out of it is that I am not contributing art on anywhere near the scale that I could (should) be. Beyond that, It made me realize that I need to be much more vulnerable and open in the art that I do contribute. And I’m sure I’ll glean even more from it as I reflect on what I read.
So, I suppose, I am the one Seth wrote this book for.
The book was good. I highlighted many points that spoke to me. I thought long and hard before I published this because Seth is one of my favorite writers and because I knew some people might take it the wrong way – it’s actually not a negative review.
I’m neither the exception nor the rule. This was just my personal experience with the book.
Compared to other books he’s written, like Linchpin – this book didn’t push me further to do more or better art. Linchpin – to me – will always be that book in my heart.
I know many people won’t agree with this post, but by publishing it, I’m doing the very thing Seth says to do: “courage is the willingness to speak the truth about what you see and own what you say.”
Appreciate your thoughtful comment. I’m glad the book resonated with you.
Rich,
I like the way you framed your comment. Sometimes I feel like there’s something “wrong” with me for not getting much out of Seth Godin books. After all, I *think* I’m his target audience and he’s clearly brilliant. Each one seems to resonate differently with Godin fans – and I guess they should – but after reading two of his books (Poke the Box which I gave a 4 out of 10 and Tribes, which I quit reading 25 pages in), I decided I’m not reading anymore of his stuff. I’m glad you got a ton out of this last one though.
Denise,
Your statement about “trying to convince someone to breathe” struck me as intriguing. Breathing, like 70% of all our bodily functions, is something that’s regulated automatically and that we don’t need to think about. But it’s when we *do* think about breathing – in yoga, meditation, or any other concentrated way – that the impact can be powerful. So I think there’s merit in someone like Seth effectively saying, “Denise, you need to focus on breathing!” If doing art is like breathing to you and you can’t NOT do it, that doesn’t mean that being more intentional about your art won’t make it better, right? That was a triple negative sentence (oy vey!). I hope it made sense.
P.S. I’m nitpicking, which is a problem. This was a very good post and I appreciate getting your insight on the supposed wisdom of others. You have a talent for dissecting an argument and bringing something original out of it.
Joel, actually that’s some good nitpicking :) Excellent point about breathing. I didn’t think about it like that. And if I was going to look at it like that….
…then, my go-to books for “breathing reminders” are War of Art and Turning Pro. Linchpin is good, but Steven Pressfield nails the Artist’s life in a way that speaks to me more. I’ve always seen Seth Godin as a “marketing expert.”
Appreciate your comment!