The Velvet Revolution and Iron Necessity

The Velvet Revolution and Iron Necessity - Eva Hauser

From the book 'The Subversive Imagination - Artists, Society and Social Responsibility' Edited by Carol Becker

‘I continued to write short stories, but I was only partially successful in getting these published, because they didn’t convey the image of contemporary society required by the official culture.’ (page 84)

• This supports the idea that things will only be published into the mainstream media if they fit in with the desired image of society. 
• What ways are there to avoid this censorship? Self publishing?

‘I was a bit distressed when I had to tell our graphic artists, “People really want kitsch, and we need to sell. Could you please do something more commercial?”’ (page 88)

• Is this inhibiting the potential of the artist or is this just how the creative industry works?

‘ “We live in an era dominated by commerce, so the connection of art with life is mediated by money. But I don’t believe in this as a principle. Consumer art - craft, if you like - is not real art. I do this craft, my television script writing, so I have food to put in my family’s mouths, but actually I would much prefer to do the real thing.” ‘ (page 92)

• Can commercial work be the ‘real thing’ if it remains true to your values?
• Does the creative industry allow artists to grow to their full potential or are there barriers in place within the realm of creativity?

‘ “Good art is about the reality within which the author lives, and, if it is well done, the reader lives it with the author. The reader learns something from the author’s sensitivity. Human beings secrete art in the same way that trees secrete resin when they are wounded, as a restorative. I am convinced that when this sick and stupid humanity of ours is healthy, harmonic, free of anxiety, art will die.” ‘ (page 93)

• This suggests that art will only continue to exist while bad things are happening in the world, which implies that art feeds off negativity and/or promotes positivity. In a perfect world there would be no need to promote positivity and no negativity to spark creativity. 
• Art is a problem solver. 

‘Nevertheless, artists now enjoy the fact that everyone has a voice and, for the time being at least, don’t seem to mind so much that this voice is usually weak and only a few people listen to it.’ (page 94)

• Does an artist feel a sense of social responsibility because they want to make a change or is it more of a selfish act feeling like they could make a change?