while both valuable skills, artistic curation vs creation are two very different skillsets. many people confuse being a curator with being an “artist”

I’m agree with your point of differentiating between an artist and curator, but I think being both (+ even being good at both) is still possible because copying or looking at other art is an essential method to be a good artist. It’ll be very difficult though.

i agree! i try not to be too harsh because copying until you learn what resonates with you is how growth starts. its challenging bc not only do you have to 1. produce a TON of art to reach that point, but also 2. have something interesting that emerges at the end if it

Yep! Not to mention that in order to be good at both you must constantly be aware whether the things you copy are even good enough to develop a good taste, which often leads to insecurity lol. It’s a tough journey, but it definitely helps in the long way

how do you even reflect on your own work without any references, ultimately your art is derived from and evolves in a context u can't just ignore everything ever and pray for the best

@toobusysinking_

I think a big issue right now is that many people in jobs such as graphic designer, fashion related jobs, etc. Tend to present themselves as artists while they’re only creatives and it mangles art and creativity (everyone IS creative) in a way that makes art loses its meaning

This is a really interesting way to look at it. One thing I’m curious about though is what about artists who work in mediums that involve a heavy element of curation? Sample based music, for example. Or even DJing, as you mentioned, which has elements of art and curation

i view DJs as curators, not artists. this is bc of the way they take existing art and make it into sets with their own flair, rather than making music from scratch. its not less valid than making music, just different. sample based music i still have to develop my opinion on 🤔

Perhaps it’s a sliding scale and not a binary, and art can involve varying degrees of curation and invention? Like fashion designers in a sense may “curate” existing fabrics, or musicians may curate instrumental palettes, even if their how they assemble them is up to their skill

i could promo my design account but actually, does anyone here have recommendations for hardback journals with beautiful artworks printed onto them? redbubble is full of stolen illustrations, and im not super satisfied with these ones on the david zwirner website. pls help!!

Interesting take! But why box creatives in? Some of my fave gallery shows were artist-curated. Vision hits different. ✨

i think its more common for artists to also be good curators, rather than curators also being good artists. its not really a stringent rule, but i do think its helpful to differentiate

i’ve been a chronically online artist for a longgg time, and while i love looking at art, artists DEFINITELY shouldn’t be curating imo. i think me looking at a bunch of art stifles my desire to create, like there’s a fine line between getting inspired by art and just consuming

Exactly what I say. People look at me like I’m business dumb but if they looked at it truly logically - someone creating things they love is going to do a hell of a lot better and give more life to their work than someone whose just doing for clout or repetition bc it sells

lots of great producers who are decent djs and vice versa. i think it’s more important to know which one you like more and where your strengths lie

Facts I don’t care to be tapped in now a days lol

Actually the skill sets really are not that different, an artist can easily be a curator, almost all curators cannot be artists. It’s simple.

I really love the way u see things thank u for that

wow what a beautiful compliment. thank you!! <3

Curators are more similar to critics in the grand scheme of things. You cannot both be an artist and a righteous critic, spot on.

I'm not very knowledgeable on curation, but do curators ever innovate or create new artistic directions? Like, if a DJ combined 2-3 genres in a set in a way that works, would that DJ spawn a new genre altogether just by associating the songs together?

The act of curation is a form of creative authorship and artistic expression though????

to a degree yes but scorcese rly puts all this to question

This is my entire beef with that creative act book because it really when you read between the fluff and woo woo is about curation.

you didn’t fall from a coconut tree

real as hell

I’m a dj and art director with a focus in brand ID. I literally am making stuff all the time and curating both art and aesthetic, and live experience..

Honestly this might also be one of those like chicken and egg types of situations

That's interesting. I make music but tbh i don't listen to that much music

a balance of both tbh, you cant improve your art without good taste/study, and you cant solely rely on taste without honing the discipline to create. but ofc this probably doesn't apply to less-privileged, non-academic artist.

Being an artist is being a critic Only difference is doing well

To be good at one, you should be good at the other. They co-exist!