Why Art No Longer Reflects Reality

[@spaceclowns6312]

My first reaction to this video, just seeing the title and thumbnail, was to scoff. "how stupid nonartists are" i thought to myself "i see art all the time, i live art". Not even five minutes in i understand the point of the video. Art is being drowned out, forced into an aesthetic for nonartists, for corporations, for the media. Our life is art, wheere we live, the food we eat, the movies we watch, the logos of corporations, art is everywhere outside and inside of us. Art takes time and energy, something not many people have in this day and age. Why bother spending a long time on a painting if itll just be glanced at and passed by with no further thought? As much as i love making my art beautiful, i miss the meaning behind most art. And again, i havent watched the whole video yet so i might come back with more understanding

[@sketchynerves3160]

I can't agree more as an artist. Art was went to polarize and challenge views. I have so much trouble even getting excited for a project bc it all feels so pointless and it leaves me feeling empty

[@P3myY]

True-ish you can still find great art like finding music but it's harder to find it sometimes writing has been a little more looked as make it vague so it has more appeal but that cannot kill great music because there is always something passionate to make good music like art that comes from their own experiences and emotions there is still great art it's just a little harder to find there's always gonna be people passionate to make great art

[@jwolf4444]

I would argue that without any deeper meaning or thought, something can not be art. Even Thomas Kinkade paintings attempted to emulate a feeling of happiness through the use of nostalgia. What thought is a repost of a tik-tok trend expressing? Can creating something strictly for profit be considered a thought?

[@unknown6390]

@@jwolf4444 I'd answer yes to those questions. Commercials are art. Doesn't mean they aren't tacky, bland, cynical, lifeless, etc

[@daniellewieners7179]

Why comment if you can't finish a video?

[@gabrielmaroto18]

You explained why art has disappeared within the first minute. “It is a reflection of our times” And in our time all of the reflective surfaces are owned by corporations.

[@TheSarcasticEggplant]

I guess then technically art still does reflect the times. Just not in an individualistic manner

[@micca903]

It’s not an explanation. In the past they had a very similar problem in a sense, the absence of these channels. The medium that they used is still open to people today, canvas and paint. I think it’s always a mistake to think that you are the one who can define a complete reality and know how the future will look back on art as an embodiment of a certain period. We lack the necessary perspective. This has always been the case.

[@ashtonphoenyx]

Exactly

[@ankushds7018]

@@TheSarcasticEggplant everything in the present is the result of everything in present times. But I think the idea is that now the artist is irrelevant to the art, because the only art that gets noticed is the art that sells, and that kinda art is already bought out -- it's not the artist's anymore.

[@fabiofuoco]

@@ankushds7018 it would surprise you how much of art history was actually about that, rich people paying for the best art

[@TheXrythmicXtongue]

Art doesn't die. It is intrinsically tied to human consciousness. It's just being more quiet compared all the current noise at the moment.

[@diemes5463]

Well said, we live in a society of surveillance, humanity is in hiding

[@teetalks7049]

@@TheXrythmicXtongue perfect way of putting it. I’m an art student and I’d argue art is more present than ever due to accessibility. Often people are hiding their true passion in aesthetics in order for it to bridge the gap between art lovers and those who like to look at pretty things. Personally I feel like art is a transmutation of consciousness but as out world becomes increasingly capitalized people care less about self expression and more about perfection. Honestly it’s not much different than the Renaissance when you think of it that way imo

[@spaceclowns6312]

@@TheXrythmicXtongue exactly what I thought. Art hasn't disappeared, it's being drowned out, but if you dig you can find it again. As an artist I see so much art every single day, it hasn't gone anywhere, and if you find the right artist, it does still reflect life.

[@Mindyzzzzz]

Yes

[@OmaAlkebulan-grace]

Exactly 💯

[@la6136]

This is what Andy Warhol predicted art would be like in the future. That is why he used to create art with corporate logos, replicas, and celebrities over 50 years ago. He also said in the future everyone would be famous for 15 seconds. He was ahead of his time.

[@memememineme]

It was 15 Minutes.

[@roxanne_]

He was not ahead of his time, he understood what game was being played at that time and he showcased it. The game has not changed since then.

[@kelechi_77]

@@roxanne_ Yeah he understood what art would look like in a world dominated by late stage capitalism

[@arymus]

He almost certainly didn't actually say it and I heard on a doc that he was actually pissed about being misquoted. In the end he was stuck with it tho.

[@jo7433]

@@arymusYeah, that was kind of part of his persona, most of his “quotes” and works were things people took out of context of him and he just decided to go along with it. Whatever people say whether he’s a real artist or not, he for sure was good at marketing his art and connections

[@Mica_105]

i have a feeling that most of the curent art is more for escaping reality then reflecting and embracing it.

[@tofuaddict5946]

Omg yes that's so true

[@sketchycatdash]

@@Mica_105 yea absolutely

[@marmia001]

I completely agree!! Our time differs greatly from the past where you are not growing up exposed to every atrocity know to man being paraded on your news. Like how tragic is it that kids grew up and know what live leak is? I know that people also were exposed to horrific events previously but they just didn't have to watch it on repeat in their lives and they are not bombarded constantly about change this change that; their problems were related to them and their immediate surroundings which i think takes alot of pressure off their lives. It's good to be aware of what's going on but it's also really easy to spiral these days and get trapped in echo chambers

[@annaanderson8099]

I do feel like, in a way, this DOES reflect the reality of our times. There's such a loneliness and disconnect in our times, reflected by the sense of escapism. The younger generation, the ones typically thought of as participating in the new culture/counterculture, is marked by anxiety, burnout, and isolation, especially in the wake of the pandemic. It's disheartening, but makes sense, that escapism is the energy perpetuated by our generation.

[@spudpud-T67]

i have a feeling that most of the current world is more for escaping reality. Art as is just reflecting our times.

[@penimeth6472]

In response to “where did art go?” 0:11 It is there, it’s just not in the algorithm. It’s in galleries and low traffic accounts, channels and platforms… it’s definitely there…

[@Solodolo84]

Bingo!!!!! Especially small channels. I have a small channel where I do vaporwave edits. The smaller channels get drowned out by the noise, but we still gonna hold it down regardless.

[@inuendo6365]

It's graffiti on the walls, it's in extremely passionate zines that only survive through a few strange benefactors, it's all over the poorest corners of India, Vietnam, South Africa and the last Native lands in the Americas. It's a shame we may never see these beautiful works and get AI garbage shoved in our faces instead

[@Meraxes6]

@@penimeth6472 yep, this exactly. It’s there, the algorithm just doesn’t show it to you. You have to know where to find it

[@sethreyes8988]

Thank you. Just because it doesn't have a thousand likes doesn't mean it's gone. Popularity is utterly ridiculous

[@alisonmercer5946]

It is

[@rustymotionstudio4717]

Artist here! We’re still making real art. Don’t worry, it will gain momentum and rise up again :), it always does

[@Kajurasu]

You and me both

[@fulicious2991]

@@rustymotionstudio4717 Just personally I don't prefer wording it as "real" art.. it's a little saddening to have any art be insinuated as not being real If I misunderstood how you meant it or anything else, feel free to roast me 🙏

[@rustymotionstudio4717]

@@fulicious2991 I don’t feel the need to roast you! I think of “real” art as being nutritious to the soul. It brings meaning and understanding to its viewer. There’s another kind of “art” that steals from its viewer. It is advertisement masquerading as art. I wasn’t referring the craft/ art discussion, which is just harmful to makers. We’re all making stuff and that’s something to be celebrated.

[@carolart4700]

@@fulicious2991 AI art (unless used intentionally for making a statement) could be seen as not "real art" it's a soulless imitation

[@MechMike-gx1xt]

Same here, it won’t stop

[@nanon1]

As an artist who tends toward political art, and art that reflects what I see going on, I think about this ALL THE TIME. You can lose everything for touching a nerve in almost any industry. Thank you for explicating this so beautifully. It earned you a join. :)

[@micca903]

That’s not new. It has always been an element of oppositional art.

[@nanon1]

@@micca903 Of course, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't think about it. Art is about communication - how do I effectively communicate to the people who most need to hear or see what's being communicated? How do I make sure that I'm communicating clearly and convincingly? I think what she says at the end is what needs to be wrestled with - maturity, intelligence, without speaking down to the person you're trying to impact. And yes, you can lose everything, including your voice, if you aren't careful in your approach. Wouldn't you agree?

[@micca903]

@@nanon1 I’m sorry, it’s not my intention to judge you. All I really meant was that this isn’t a new phenomenon and it’s part of oppositional art. It’s not a complete explanation for why there’s so little art in general and so much of it is let’s just say non-impactful. I see people attempting it in media but you can’t really authentically criticize capitalism for example from the comfortable position of a corporate function. You end up with these watered down messages that nobody really enjoys. Corporate media seems the most unsuitable medium for oppositional art if you ask me. It just seems so naïve that people think that they can make a lot of money while trying to be oppositional.

[@kallistaedwards8144]

Fellow artist here too! I'd love to see your work (or hear your ideas) if you're comfortable sharing. We as artists aren't too powerful on our own, we have to stick together!

[@kris.listen748]

….”lose everything for touching a nerve in an industry.” What I’ve been struggling through since 2021. I’ll stop being a whistleblower in public

[@anorthfield3751]

I’m a white man, 50+, living in Sweden. Never rollerskating, thought that was a 70s thing… and still the algorithm found your content…. So when someone drops of because of new content… some new souls will discover it. I really like your vibe and style, it’s thoughtful and authentic…

[@Odumase]

This a random question but are most people living in Sweden upper middle class and or rich?

[@babiegirl526]

what is it like in there

[@ellagrundberg5496]

​@@Odumase No, why would you think that? Most ppl are middle class like in any other Western nation

[@mynameisreallycool1]

Do people not rollerskate in Sweden anymore? I don't understand what rollerskating has to do with the 70s, or any specific decade, for that matter. 😂

[@Odumase]

@@ellagrundberg5496 my cousin lived there for a few years and she said they are pretty rich

[@lotus3161]

Lauryn Hill said it best when facing industry expectations, "I can't leave 1/3 of me out the door." I get something out of all your videos. Keep doing you!

[@rubypanterra.]

🎯 Dasia #doesitall 💯

[@DasiaDoesIt]

Love that! Thank you so much for gifting me this!

[@lordjoyous]

Lauren Hill is a fraud

[@beans-c5n]

Recently I've become totally fed up with our online existence and my advice to everyone is: ENGAGE WITH YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY! I know its not groundbreaking, I'm not the first person to say this and I pray I won't be the last but I feel like in the digital age its something that doesn't happen nearly enough. As an artist myself I've also tried to stop checking views on videos and such, deleted social media and just kinda started focusing on the act of creating itself. Good fun, this was an awesome video, about to go down the Paul Robeson pipeline now, its better late than never haha

[@Meraxes6]

So true!! I’m a full-time artist and it’s out in the community, in Art Walks and festivals, small gallery openings and open studio days. There are still tons of people who appreciate it for what it brings to the community.

[@Essetheartist]

Same

[@dumbtch-lk5yr]

but like how i’m online bc i don’t have a local community

[@beans-c5n]

@@dumbtch-lk5yr I'm sorry I don't have the answers.

[@sharmanitascos]

Dasia the art absolutely reflects our current reality wether we try to make it or not. It reflects or superficiality, desire for escapism and overall lack of ethics and boundaries.

[@sharmanitascos]

The art reflects that we no longer are involved in or care about social issues in society at large,, or if we do it is performative

[@yoonahkang7384]

@@sharmanitascos and if we care, we are censored

[@MargaretBurmingham-qm5dx]

@@sharmanitascos I don´t think that´s true. Most musical artists I listen to sing about social issues of some sort, mostly mental health. I don´t think it´s performative either, the songs are very relatable and as someone who has mental health issues it´s often very comforting. I think it depends on the areas you find yourself in

[@kris.listen748]

Well said

[@zacjohnson2666]

I agree only to a degree. Art only needs evoke emotion. Reflecting the times is just another facet of evoking an emotion. Personally I like art that takes me away from the current times, I like to be taken to a completely different ethereal realm in my mind. Saying art NEEDS to have a reflection of the time is more or less documenting history, it’s not a qualification for art. As long as I feel anything, including “art isn’t reflecting the times” means that the piece of work evoked that thought and emotion thusly being art. So removing reflection of the current times is just as much a form of art as reflecting it. Being observant of the times doesn’t make your art smarter nor better than choosing to ignore it. All art is equally beautiful.

[@thechica3918]

completely Ignorance or I could say neo-liberalism mindset

[@nathaninostroza7655]

​@@thechica3918so, sacred art like Bach s music, or even medieval music, wich celebrated cultural togetherness, for the latter, and deviate from reality, wich was born out off a necessity to connect with divine, and also worship it openly, and extremely artfuly. All off them were neo liberal mindset examples of ppl? To escape current times and being in search of comodity and pleasure through arts, and put an end momentarily to reality s hardships, and expressing also taboo (augmented fourth s musical interval, wich drove musicians to be beheaded, the devils music, u know) and therefore freedom off expression and speech. Nope, escapism through art is neo liberal mindset. What can i say? Thank u for not allowing us, artists, to be adventurous and bold through expressiveness, with narrow minded outlook about what art should be and downplaying ppl s talent, due to their uncompromising attitude. Like it aint worth being called art. U gotta be dog styling me 🤣, is that the best u can do?

[@pcstew]

art is often a reflection or reaction to culture.. the emotion you seek in your art is still doing that.. it’s almost impossible not to as a person living within culture

[@nathaninostroza7655]

@@pcstew right on. I'd add that art can also evoke an imaginary reflection or reaction nature, as well. It fits, since mankind thrive in life between culture and nature. In visual arts is up front implied the inspiration many artists get from nature. In music is more of a grey tangent regarding how can a person grasp culture influenced or nature inspired. But art does not only reflects or reacts towards culture, since nature s ever present in molding culture as it's been, since forever.

[@OmaAlkebulan-grace]

What are you running for 😮

[@AdelyneRose]

Artist here! There is so much art and love in the world, if you feel disturbed by this video and miss “real art” I implore you to visit your local galleries and support local artist! It’s a cycle, the more patrons support the artist, the more artists can create and make art for the world.

[@sarahslame]

Weird how people take things so personally when someone they don't even know has a differing opinion. Keep making content on what calls to you. I'm here for the ride and I always learn something from your content.

[@DasiaDoesIt]

@@sarahslame i appreciate this.

[@WhitmoreReads]

Just had an art show at an annual show that I love and always sell art at. The show grows every year. Over nine hundred artist and we have a great time. My art is crazy colorful and fun, and full of joy because the world can beat us down daily. Art is not dead, people purchase my art because I think they are seeking the very joy my art provides. It's an escape which to me is a reflection of what's needed. Love your video. ❤❤❤

[@ashleyandersen4375]

Art is not dead. It's hidden under a million ads and propaganda. In tiny poetry apps and art tutorial comment sections there live the artists. There are, in my opinion, more people than ever expressing themselves through art. From dance, to their clothes, to graffiti, it's all around us as are the artists. Capitalism wants so bad to kill art and replace it with AI entertainment. We must not let that happen. Keep telling artists you enjoy that you do! Support the unique thinkers around you. That's how we save art and all her gifts.

[@mikeinportland30]

Dasia - a suggestion and a plea.....make this video into a book. It's already a great outline. Genuinely. Go for it. It's that good/that important.

[@christinamitchell6608]

I stopped making music because i felt like it needed to be commercial in order to get attention. When i actually have a message 💯 And I just felt so detached from the brand i was creating 🧱 I didn't want to take on a persona i just want to write and sing what i feel. Maybe I'll try to start again from scratch 😮‍💨 ✍🏽 Bless you! Before i found your videos a couple hours ago, i genuinely felt a feeling of helplessness. About where this world is headed. I felt like i was alone in this world for caring. Listening to you and reading the comments gives me hope 💙 thank you

[@ZhannaTsytsyn]

I'm so happy that this video found me. Really well done - thank you for your work. As a professional visual artist, i have personally experienced censorship because I spoke up about Gaza. Two galleries have canceled my shows, but it just inspires me to create with more integrity. Really loved this! Going independent!❤️

[@Essetheartist]

Im sorry that happened

[@elenalopez1836]

Lately I've fallen into the never ending rabbit hole of convenient consumerism where my screen time on social media apps has taken up a majority of my day (we're talking 10-12 hours), and this video has really inspired me and motivated me to find that balance of brainrot and philosophical concepts ( 52:10 ) in the forms of media I consume. Every time I feel as though I have gotten too comfortable with the mind-numbingness of tiktok or just any form of mass media I try to find independent content creators here on KZbin to help bring me out of that slump and to actually make me think about real life questions and concepts, and I'm excited to watch more of your videos touching on these kinds of topics that expand my media literacy and knowledge about the deeper meaning behind things. All love and support, I'm grateful for people like you who speak their minds in hopes of enlightening others on topics that have been censored and pushed out of the spotlight of mass media, because you do, you enlighten others on more important issues in today's society. Thank you.

[@deejay1216]

This why my husband and I are I proud to live in Denver, CO. All forms of Art are represented here 24/7. It’s beautiful to see Art in every direction. Along with green parks in every neighborhood along with a high walkability for all.

[@DasiaDoesIt]

What’s the weather like in Denver this time of year?

[@hugs3385]

@@DasiaDoesIt hot and dry but sometimes rain

[@ericcarabetta1161]

@@DasiaDoesIt , mid 80s and sunny during the day, and mid to low 60s at night, occasional light scattered showers maybe once a week. Quite pleasant.

[@foreverie2626]

only if you live in the high income areas, just like any other city....

[@krono5el]

walking.....in CO, that doesnt sound right : P

[@aleco444]

wait a minute!!!! I am so glad you made this. I first listen to Old Man River from Judy Gardland, then I saw in the comments that it was originally sung by a black man. I have been listening to his and Judy version for a moment now. And I did not know ANY of the history of this man. It's like, how much more history is just buried? It's crazy.Like....its just insane, even the clips I find of that era. I have been obsessed with the Harlem renaissance and this is something.

[@hypatia4754]

NOthing is buried. You have to just have the curiosity to look.

[@IMeMineWho]

Paul RobEson. Jewess here and so beloved by immediate and extended family. Not great how he was treated in the States.

[@lobstermash]

I don't know about America, but Paul Robeson was certainly famous around the world. He was widely considered to have the best basso profundo voice. We had records of him when I was a child.

[@THRITCHIE76]

I actually remember that Old Man River was sung by someone with a deep male voice. The name Robson being spoken sparked a feeling of familiarity with my mind.

[@catzrule100]

@@THRITCHIE76 you mean a guy with a deep voice

[@The1fromBK]

Hi. I just wanted to say that Paul Robeson was actually an active Socialist (and one of many during his time). His politics that supported Pan African and Asian anti-colonial anti- imperialist people's movements and in support of the USSR were why he was surpressed at the height of the so called red scare era. Imagine going after folks because they want everyone to have housing healthcare and human rights, and to not be colonized, not have the land they occupy explioited by United Fruit Co.

[@basicallyno1722]

Ironically the red scare Mccarthyist era directly paralleled communist social censorship in Europe. It reminds me of this memoire from Croatian journalist Slavenka Drakulic called How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed. In the first chapter she details how a friend’s life was destroyed because her article on pinball machines (or gumball machines, can’t remember) inadvertently exposed the lies and absurdity of their government’s propaganda.

[@DasiaDoesIt]

Thank you for this!! It’s insane the levels they went to shut down his activism. You’re exactly right, imagine forming a committee to hunt down people talking about helping the common man.

[@catzrule100]

It's being exploited by China

[@bartendersdaughter6003]

I think we’re back there again unfortunately.

[@julian8038]

Only 20 minutes in right now but, I want to thank you for this video. I'm an artist and for years I've barely been making any art because I feel like it's useless. "It just sits there and looks pretty, and if I can't make it look pretty, there's no point." I didn't realize just how much this self-disparaging attitude I had relates to this societal process you're talking about here. Learning again that I can make art that invokes thought and emotion, and reflects the time we live in... that really inspires me and takes a load off my shoulders. My art doesn't have to be palatable to others. It's only meant to be honest and meaningful. Thank you

[@ReVeluv.OT5]

Bro make ur art and feel proud i love people that still express themselves and make what they want to make rather than what's palatable

[@ReVeluv.OT5]

And your experience is very relatable I'm sure to a lot of people cause this is such a persistent problem

[@mercy5004]

And more specifically, Honest and Meaningful -> to you. People who resonate with that same meaning will be naturally drawn to it. Some of my artist buddies who found their own niche of success often did it by chance. After trying so hard to make what they thought other people wanted, they started making self-indulgent pieces thinking it would just kind of be ignored. But the honesty of self that comes through on work like that is really damn attractive when it aligns with your own interests (as the viewer). We have to care for our own souls, and let the rest fall where it may.

[@kingsway420]

Art has been suppressed drastically, due to the big impact that it has in the human mind and creativity… As an Indian indigenous I know that we as a people lived and breathed art into the world before our traumatic time at the hands of the natural backward living people. ( Cough Cough)… Art is still alive but it is wisely developed and distributed at a way slower and less impressive and impactful pace due to the handlers and people in places of power in all industries. We are the only people who know how to truly impact the masses in an uplifting & uniting manner.

[@applehead95]

Appreciate you highlighting this problem in our current times, heres some of my perspective on it: The meaning and purpose of art was never to invoke emotions or explore themes and send a message or to communicate our feelings. That is a contemporary/ modern way of looking at the meaning of art. The earliest form of art we know are cave paintings which were essentially a form of ritual, and there's even earlier forms of art whether sculptures or drawings that are created for the purpose of showing/ replicating a God of some kind in that society's religion. Art was never about bringing a message to the public. That said, our society evolved and during the renaissance art was more used to signify status, in a little over a few centurys it was used to immortalize someone in a form of a grandiose portrait. But now that cameras have been invented there's no purpose for portraits anymore, and artists tried to find a new meaning behind art which is where we are. The meaning of Art in our modern world is to communicate and evoke emotions to the audience looking. I'm not saying that its a bad thing to look art in that way, what I'm trying to say is that the meaning of art changes over time, there was never a fixed point in history wherein the definition of art was constant. It's chaning and its definition is also different depending on the person. Now in our current state, art has been used as entertainment and for corporations. What we need to truly question for ourself is what is it truly that we think art is? Ask yourself "For me, what is the definition of art?" I think through a change in perspective from yourself, you will definetly seek out more compelling artworks and stop art from being drownout.

[@velivie]

as an artist i can also say, its also become super difficult to be an artist in such a corporate heavy world, creativity is very limited rn

[@yoonahkang7384]

And people wont bear anything that doesb5 look digital or ai

[@NGW_Studio]

Where creativity is limited, it is also becoming more and more valuable

[@linneal5105]

What kind of art do you create and what do you mean when you say that creativity is limited?

[@velivie]

@@linneal5105 I participate in a lot of different forms of art, illustration mainly but i also sculpt, write, involved in musical arts, etc. I dont like how i initially worded this comment because its not particularly that creativity is “limited” but more so that its less of an option or harder to commit to, i feel like its more accurate for me to say that the focus on corporations and building a more business oriented world, more closed off, straight forward, areas of work has made it harder for people to branch out if that makes sense

[@curtiszyr]

Limited by who ?

[@roryh3307]

Thank you for acknowledging journalism as a form of art. It is so comforting as a journalist myself

[@JasminemPolyanthum]

Strange how so many subjects are labeled as "Liberal Arts" and then disdained as "Not Art" when someone deigns to practice them.

[@roryh3307]

@@JasminemPolyanthum absolutely 👏

[@soulmanit]

Firstly, I'm sorry to hear about your brother. My condolences 🙏 I think the support of art is dying more than making art is. I know where I'm at, a lot of artists of different disciplines are burnt out, especially if they're into activism. And we've all had to figure out how to support ourselves while still remaining active in our communities. A lot of us turned to teaching or being a teaching artist, but even that isn't always sustainable and you have to want to educate. It can't just be a gig to do, especially now with more schools closing. Thank you for this video, and the insights/questions you ask.

[@lazerwolf001]

This part, society isn’t set up to provide support for artists. Everything is commodified, mass produced and sold and people buy what they have been trained to buy or can’t live without. Have you ever bought a painting? The average person doesn’t own art . They don’t see the value it has for them. This can change through art education. The pubic and youth need to get used to valuing , understanding creating and aquiring works of art.

[@DasiaDoesIt]

@@lazerwolf001 this is an interesting point. Do you think this is more of an American view of art? When I am in Amsterdam I find that more people hold the title of Artist as a job and felt more free to explore art seriously , because of the universal basic income. It blew my mind the difference in attitude where in America artists are treated more like lazy dreamers that value adds.

[@mmhmmmificate]

@@DasiaDoesIt as an artist living in Australia, no it's not just an American phenomenon. Globalisation and neoliberalist capitalism, along with the pressures of modern life, are killing any patronage we have had in the past. After the pandemic it's been very difficult to go on because no one wants to buy. I'm going back to university to do something very different. I will always make art, but it doesn't look like it will be a sustainable career whatsoever. I don't know any other artists who don't have substantial help from family, or through privilege. Even those of us who accepted that we might be poor are not able to make it work. We are in an economic crisis in the western world and this is only the first symptom (in my opinion). Yanis Varoufakis calls it technofeudalism, and I think I tend to agree that that is where we are.

[@Donnova27]

I loved this as a young creator, I always remember someone saying “The hardest thing you can do as a creator now a days is post” and you very much explained the encompassing feeling that goes around all of that

[@superbrian7997]

True artist 🧑🏾‍🎨 👩🏾‍🎨 don’t just reflect the times that they live in, they inspire the future that we all will live in.

[@FlinNSteel]

As a young artist, these days I try to use art a means of escapism so I feel a reason to make meaningless, fun and simple art is to take a break from all the problems of the world and just enclose yourself in your little bubble for an hour or two, at these times of chaos and drama, sometimes art can provide a way to kind of zone out for some

[@Star17png]

@@FlinNSteel yessss I agree, I make abstract blobs and glittery art and it brings me joy. That’s okay too. I’m never going to stop since without it life is just dull.

[@curtiszyr]

When has it never been a time of chaos and drama ? People are just making excuses for not being creative

[@coriganirving1462]

14:57 bowies smile says it all and i love it😭 “black artists won’t appeal, but a bisexual man’s music is more appealing to the country. interesting”

[@celiacruzazucar6630]

Frank 🎶🌊

[@jomariel.delrosario7779]

Artist here~~ I am glad this video exists and I definitely will continue to make art 😊

[@Chickadeemedicine]

Same, if for no other reason then pure spite and self enjoyment. System be damned. And even if I never see success in my life, there is always the artist's last hope.... Post Mortem success that keeps the creative legacy alive and ignites the spark for another generation...

[@thecurlybunny]

Thank you for putting my thoughts into words. 💕 I have tried to speak on this with my husband and friends, but it wasn’t as articulate and clear as you put it. I’ve heard the warnings of censorship on art since I was 6, I am now 28. It really saddens me to see such art from music to canvas being silenced over the years because “it does not fit with ads”. The media just becomes a repetitive cycle of “safe art”.

[@zalamazu]

So much of the art I see online just feels like a dream. Because it’s not that connected to reality, it doesn’t even feel real. And when everything is a dream, there becomes a lack of consequence. And the less consequence in your life, the less functional your memory will be.

[@ultraozy4085]

art is not monolithic its not solely for protest action or reflecting the times or politics we live in that's a limited perspective of art in my opinion, art can be sharing a piece of who you are and that will vary from artist to artist, but as an artist i admit you can feel forced to create trendy things you might feel attract algorithms and clients above meaningful things you really feel your heart wants to make that's the dilemma in today's art, plus platforms censor ideas they dont like take KZbin for example

[@curtiszyr]

Art simply imitates life in it’s entirety

[@ElfInTheFlowers]

Your first video I see!!! This is so wonderful and important. Art is still political… on the margins. As a Puerto Rican living in Texas I have and continue to see beautiful and fierce artistic expressions from the Latino, Black and Indigenous who have less to lose and more to gain. Protest murals, music, poetry, and plays are thriving… in Spanish, in the colonies, in periphery. Art is so powerful that it is suppressed. My most traumatic university course was called Latin American Protest Music. Victor Jara was tortured and killed for his music, so many others have had to run, hide, and disguise their messages in quirky puns. Most of these politics in South America came from the United States. The suppression here is more passive aggressive. Singers like Macklemore and Calle 13 are not given air time. The Chicks were ostracized for speaking out against the Iraq War. But on the ground, it is still happening. Again thank you for this video because we really do live in a dystopian nightmare and many people are only now starting to see it!

[@Lalavlogginglife]

There are so many undeveloped artist who are content creators. I’d love to see them be developed and grow into their art.

[@Al_ate_my_soup]

I genuinely love how your grey hair peeks out of your braids, like salt and pepper! It’s beautiful

[@XGlocktaviusXTheXthird]

This is my favourite new favourite YT channel thank you for work

[@DasiaDoesIt]

Wow, thank you!😊

[@jaycurtis8821]

Just wanted to say this video was so inspiring and rejuvenating for me. I’ve been in a low spot mentally and feeling lost as an artist myself and your words lifted me up! Taking some time to further look at a lot of the artists you mentioned and continue to learn about those who have always been speaking out

[@minarose8723]

I can’t wait to watch the video thoroughly when I have time. And I hope what I’m saying here won’t come off as aggressive or condescending, rather a point at how you present your work online. But as an artist my heart sank and my guts twisted seeing you talk about ART with your thumbnail being AI “art”. How can we talk about authentic artistry and how it reflects the times when instead of using the countless beautiful works of people out there we use ai art? I hate when people talk about how social medi is ruining our life, how micro trends and attention spans are getting worse, only to contradict themselves by using ai pieces. That too is what you’re criticizing but still used it. Again, I hope it was a mistake on your behalf and wasn’t aware it was ai, since most people have a hard time spotting it.

[@periapsis413]

Artist here too, I agree. It just seems shortsighted. But I'm glad to see people bringing up this conversation at least.

[@Reed5016]

I definitely agree with this a lot. I’m an autistic trans guy, and I’m also a guitarist. Plus, I live in Florida. I’m hoping to start a KZbin channel where I post my music stuff, but I also want to discuss media I enjoy and do analysis of said media with a philosophical and political lens. I want to write songs about my struggles finding employment, my fears, and the fact that it’s illegal to transition in my state as a legal adult. I think a lot of trans people (and people who are struggling financially) will relate to the content. I know that my art will probably never go mainstream (especially the genre of music I want to make), but I’m okay with that. I just hope I can have the money and time to do it once I move out of my parents house (they’re against social media, so I can’t post content on any app. I need to move out first).

[@aielianna]

@@Reed5016 as a fellow floridian please share your art when you can! your voice is needed ❤️

[@Reed5016]

@@aielianna Thanks for the encouragement. My music genres is in the metal genre (death-doom metal specifically). It’s definitely not for everyone, but I’m pretty passionate about it. The video essays are also important to me. I already have a few ideas for video topics already.

[@lightningninja6905]

@@Reed5016 Subbed and hit the bell. I hope I see something from you, even if it takes a few years

[@Reed5016]

@@lightningninja6905 It’s probably going to take a year or two.

[@lightningninja6905]

@@Reed5016 That's fine by me. I wish you the best

[@ironjellly]

I am so absolutely delighted that this video found me. I’ve been passionate about art since before I could speak, and it’s been a huge part of my entire life every single day. I often try to articulate the “history” behind the commodification of art in society, and it usually baffles people when I really try to emphasize how everything changed so drastically once a television being in every family’s home was the norm and commercials and news stations wrote the narrative for us; at the time it seemed so easy, so convenient. Then the internet came along and the process circled back again. We’ve had like more changes and advancements to our society in the past 60 years than generations before us had in over 200 years. We are moving at light speed, and I’ve always truly believed that the reason art is disappearing…is because the artists who make them don’t and can’t exist anymore. Once our world decides to accept and make a space for real, actual art again…we will never ever experience art like we have as a human society since the beginning of time. How we are exposed to art and how we experience it nowadays is so different than just 50 years ago. That’s barely one persons lifetime. That’s absolutely insane to me, and when I try to explain the gravity of that fact to people it just seems like they don’t get it. I desperately hope we can come together and create spaces for art and artists, as I believe every single person has art inside of them they’re meant to create and share - you are supposed to tell your story, express yourself, leave your mark. No matter what that might be, from a really good cookie recipe to a film or play that might cause a revolution. You never know who will see and hear your story; that person might be in a position to help people and help our world, and your story could inspire them to take the first step. Please, if you’re reading this rant….please make art. Please be creative. No matter who you are, your story is meant to be known. Thank you so much for this video and I second the comments suggesting you format this into a book ❤

[@dedrickmuhammad2732]

In Hip Hop it has a struggle. Nas, Kendrick Lamar, KRS One, J Cole, Common, Black Thought, and Oddisee, help keep the consciousness of Hip Hop.

[@copiouscat]

Noname, Rhapsody, Tierra whack

[@dedrickmuhammad2732]

@@copiouscat , yes them too. I should’ve kept them out

[@wydmatt7294]

more recommendations of rappers i got: smino, jid, mavi, saba, redveil

[@dedrickmuhammad2732]

@@wydmatt7294 , they are fire! I like them.

[@Boohurghhoo]

Don’t forget amine or Vince staples!

[@mediamanianetwork1644]

Hi Dasia. I’m a recent subscriber but I believe I have found my tribe. Love your content. Please keep up the great work. You’ve got me ready to get more involved and off the sideline. I definitely want to be more than an observer. Thank you, again. ❤

[@edgelordofhosts]

I personally don't think art is dead. It's just more constrained and we've lost our connection to it because what is in us that chooses to express ourselves through art has been hijacked by corporations through tools like media. The fact that social media apps have been proven to be potentially addictive (with the advent of phenomenon like 'doom scrolling'), just tells you everything you need to know. Our own psyche is being used against us to keep us docile, and in the event that we look up from our screens and peek past the veil, we immediately crave comfort in order to forget the disturbance by looking at forms of art that make us feel good e.g. comfort movies. We are at a point where we are so comfortable that it's easy to forget what disturbs us, and that's really scary.

[@ronaldchen2275]

in a way,,, your channel reflects you your life and your art...

[@kaelacottle2123]

That comment about Tyler Childers blew my mind. I spent all 22 years of my life in Kentucky, and he is the ONLY country music artist I like in the slightest. It makes so much sense to me now why that is. I never realized how fake modern country music is, but most country artists aren't even country. Tyler Childers is actually from Kentucky. Taylor Swift is from Pennsylvania

[@mauricehalfhide3982]

I had to come back to watch it for a second time. And this time I was almost brought to tears. I hope there is a follow up where you talk about the impact this has had.

[@ChickADeeJourney]

I’m grateful for your skate videos to have the algorithm to bring you to me. I’m here for it all though! You are a breath of fresh air, so dynamic in every way.

[@wonderbooooy]

Thanks for showing your humanity. KZbin with a soul. And, in my humble opinion, art is in a specific moment of evolution. You are definitely a part of this transmutation. THANKS FOR BEING AUTHENTIC YOU!! 💜

[@marshunnaclark5829]

Paul Robeson had tenacity! I love Paul Robeson! One of my favorites, fr.

[@DasiaDoesIt]

@@marshunnaclark5829 this! just listening to his interviews blows my mind!

[@thesunnyexperience]

You are inspiring! I can’t believe I watched the entire video with my short attention span. Thanks for the message.

[@best_subliminals]

Wow! Thank you for being open about your grief. It’s so refreshing to see as someone who’s been through similar. This is the first video of yours I saw and I’m already hooked

[@marquessabiggs8707]

Thank you for your video! This is something that truly needs to be talked about. I understand not wanting to address things like politics and hard topics because of all the hate at people give and just wanting to just have a place to Escape too but we can't live with our head in the sand. We need to learn to love and listen even when it goes again what we have seen and believe. This is when we grow ! ❤

[@TaylorJoyChambers]

i’m begging for more and more video essay style content from you i love your mind

[@angelr5694]

I knew that when I clicked on this video, I was going to have to think a lot. Oddly enough, I think that art not reflecting its time is actually a reflection of the time. Like when you see a gap of just like random entertainment, nonsensical things when you look back on these moments and all of these years that all of the stuff has been going on, the conversation will be around the political climate at the time and why everything was so censored down and thought-provoking. I do believe that the pendulum will eventually swing back into the other direction but right now we're going through a phase of anti-intellectualism anti-education, anti-reading anti-anything that resembles someone feeling, like there were less than because they're not as well or smart or willing to engage with critical conversations. I believe this might happen around generation beta though.

[@wyldstealer]

art evolves as humanity evolves. slowly but surely cave paintings disappeared and cavemen asked “where did all the art go?” not realizing that it was still there, just not in the same form. humanity has exploded in population and complexity so there are no more celebrated people like da vinci and angelo and van gogh. instead there are millions upon millions of those talented artists using so many different tools and styles that it’s impossible to classify contemporary art using old methods. we don’t go from romanticism to impressionism anymore. now we are everything all at once and that in and of itself IS the defining feature of this era of art. it’s an explosion of expression.

[@philosophy-of-science-and-law]

To answer (or opinionate) the question "is Art dead?" I have to say this video is truly excellent of you, and thank you! Art history typically, or so it seems, rarely conjoins technological history, because that would exceed the expectations of undergraduate programs. Technologies have culturally stolen art, but this is not really true in fact, but true in aesthetics, namely each others, yours and mine (or ours and theirs) since art and science have become so distinct that we only see one or the other, art or science, culture or industry [edit corrected spelling]. I did not understand this until studying film theory, as a student video producer. There's something about supposing that because our own aesthetics cannot understand art, that we suppose there's not enough art. Dialectical materialism would suspect this as inspiring or motivating, and truly so in reality, but falsely reasoned so as so due your motivation, as if you own it (which is postmodern, rejects objectivity and rationality).

[@basicallyno1722]

This was a wonderfully important video and I agree with everything said. I hope more people are able to watch this video. Commenting for algorithmic purposes mainly here.

[@LuizaCundines]

Exactly that. There's nothing wrong with enjoying the mainstream artistic expressions... But we NEED and should strive for more than the mainstream

[@jamesshazier1154]

I’m so attracted to your mind Dasia as well your natural beauty respectfully. I found your content on project 2025 very informative but definitely like this content on art which I do feel lacks genuine authenticity of realty. Now art seems to be about what sales instead of what propels truth.

[@AshlynnIndivinity]

I haven't finished the video yet but I agree! Honestly I think its because everything is an AD. People arent making as much art but instead are constantly trying to market themselves in order to survive on these platforms. There will ALWAYS be artist and musicians making beautiful think pieces but its extremely difficult because no one wants to oay them or promote them. We as artist have to support eachother and keep a platform and business flow in our own community . This is a conversation that's WELL OVERDUE.

[@BlahNetworkBro]

I needed this for my shift last night 😭 I hope that’s not AI art in the thumbnail (the illegible words and signs usually are a giveaway) coz that is so ironic 😭😂 can’t wait to watch this later at work and think about how it relates to the art history I’m currently studying!🙌🏾

[@aishabah]

@@BlahNetworkBro it is lmao👀

[@some_guy9347]

Loved this. From my own experiences I don’t find myself agreeing with all of the points you made, but props to you. You are absolutely right in that we must have more conversations like this, thanks so much for sharing!

[@fortheweather1009]

Art is the mind trying to make sense of a world that doesn't make any sense.

[@PurpleFamCraySqadRAW]

as an artist that gave up on his dreams(story for another time) ive fallen into the problems of the algorithms. i remember going outside and actually being able to challenge myself to be different and do different things some i ended up enjoying and some i have more respect for but all in all i saw the difference and got to see different people. now that everything has shifted i dont even see it anymore there is nobody trying anything or even wanting to be someone that will challenge themselves or others around them to be different. thank you for this video cause i now can feel like its okay to be more open.

[@SureLokHolmes]

Hello. I cannot speak about popular music because i don't listen to it. I can mention that there are a plethora of contemporary visual artists of every race and culture making art that address societal ills. I will list a few here but please do a bit of digging and find an artist YOU resonate with. Ai Wei Wei, Dred Scott, Faith Ringgold, Chella Man, Madeline Sayet. This is not a criticism of your video at all, im happy i found your content and will continue to watch ❤

[@DasiaDoesIt]

@@SureLokHolmes no Im so glad you did mention them! I’ll compile a list of everyone’s recommendations and share them! Thank you for being here!

[@empireofidiots]

That felt great to hear someone communicating so intelligently and without idealogical buzzwords or typical partisanship. I'm really impressed.Thank you for this!

[@pyxenart]

on a serious comment / thought before we watch the video - art /is/ being made that reflects reality and the current times - there has been a growing alienation between the broader public and the art community, with artists themselves becoming increasingly marginalized from the spaces where their work was once more accessible-compounded by issues such as AI art theft. Nowadays the non-artist community often struggle to locate or even recognize these works as the reflections they are - it not a question of the responsibility one group needs to take to bridge the gap, but ( in our thought) one of collaboration; . excited to watch the video when we have a moment to see if this thought gets addressed!

[@You-is9tw]

Jesse Welles is a small new folk artist with beautiful and potent songs that have valuable commentary on life. His song Payola is very relevant to this video, and his songs Cancer and War isn't Murder are two other very powerful songs I love. His album Hells Welles is full of songs with very specific social messages, and he's one of the most refreshing musicians I've found right now.

[@NeonSockJumper]

“The role of the artist is to make the revolution irresistible.” -Toni Cade Bambara

[@karenr5997]

Thank you so much ma'am for saying nothing but truth. Our art IS our voice ,and you have inspired me .Nothing but gratitude

[@heygabimara]

You are inspiring me. I hope that this kind of creator attitude spreads like wildfire 💖

[@TamiShaeBrooks]

I'm so appreciative you art is reflective of the times. This is inspiring me to finally start my channel to share my perspective.

[@sinagfernandez]

art has never stopped reflecting our times (both personal and collective) i am in the art world (galleries, exhibitions, publications, biennales triennales etc) so i know this. the general public just doesn't look at art, or rather other forms of media have taken over ""contemporary"" ""fine"" art. perhaps you guys just arent seeing art the way i do. i may be wrong, so feel free to reply

[@Chickadeemedicine]

Most of us can't afford the entrance tolls for such settings. Housing crisis, inflation and low wages all make paying the price of traditional galleries/fine art a bit of a non-option regardless of interest. Also, many self taught/outsiders feel very unwelcome in such settings and are less likely to even submit due to gatekeeping mentality fostering a sense of "not being welcome or wanted anyway". Just my perspective as a broke ass creative without formal education but self taught in textile, paint, ink and few other mediums.

[@sinagfernandez]

@@Chickadeemedicine I definitely agree with you -- I'm incredibly fortunate to live in a country and be in a position where these things are accessible to me. The art I saw and was exposed to definitely changed ever since I went to art school and was involved in galleries and other similar institutions/organisations.

[@willow.serene]

this is such a wonderful video i cannot stress it enough. like many in the comment section, i am an artist as well. i'm currently in school so it can feel as though i am in a bubble and forget what folks not entrenched in the art scene are experiencing. i highly recommend looking into zine/self-publishing folks as they tend to be extremely open and outspoken! again, i just want to say how wonderful this video is and i wish you all the best!

[@activatingpresence3321]

Just like streaming services snuffing out any means to access indie films which generally have deeper relatable meaning.... I appreciate the effort to educate and promote digging through the fluff for real art

[@LeafyK]

I firmly disagree with the notion art is dead. I believe fewer people are looking for it, myself included. Yet I know my artists in my community, and I know people working to preserve art as a cornerstone of my culture. I agree that art as a contributor to the fight for human dignity is indeed being squashed by modern conveniences. Thanks for the thoughtful video. Cheers

[@karabomabote4801]

I'm so glad I saved this as dessert for the weekend because it was so rich!!

[@vivianrush3082]

You completely articulated and expanded an idea I’ve been anxiously cycling in my head for so long in a way that left me feeling so hopeful for the future. It’s so awesome to see so many people in the comments getting the same introduction and confirmation. So incredible and fantastically rich. This video is pushing me to finish the substack post sitting in my drafts rn fs! Thank you! so excited to see what u make next :)

[@andrewfox4467]

Joined for the skating, stayed for the philosophy. I think I’ll rather enjoy the journey with you. Thank you for sharing. ♥️🇬🇧

[@vanessarondon]

I started following you in your niche era and just leaned watching this that your channel started as skate videos. I love all these long form videos, they are engaging and educational. Thanks for what you do and provoking thought as well as validating my own thoughts.

[@als2480]

Y'all aren't going to like when I say this, but this kind of art hasn't disappeared. There is a huge saturation of it even. The problem is the public no longer cares to be moved by it, and expects to be hand fed it rather than seek it out for themselves.

[@beeonchair2141]

This has reminded me of something my art tutor said the other day that “Art and art careers will never come to you, you have to go out and find them” and this feels really pressing because as someone who’s family and myself are going into art professionally social media is really stacked against artists. I’ve found that most art does reflect reality it’s just not always on a surface level (although a lot of it is quite blatant). Also the AI thumbnail and art in the video was a … choice.

[@skullettee]

why must everything be thought provoking and meaningful?

[@DasiaDoesIt]

@@skullettee I actually think we’ve got non thought provoking and meaningless covered.

[@s.j.alexander4599]

This was a great way to spend the 55:50 minutes! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it's greatly appreciated! Keep them coming. By the way, October is cool cat!

[@1020bronwyn]

Thank you, I became a subscriber NEVER having seen you roller skate. I truly enjoy your breakdowns and this one encouraged people to be themselves, think deep and live fully

[@sierrasukalski2133]

An artist who should get some props is The White Woman Whisperer. Knitting Cult Lady showed up in my feed, and that's how I came to watch The White Woman Whisperer. They do a joint dialog. Thing is, the algorithm first gave me Cults to Consciousness, which is pretty polished, (pretty awesome, lots of followers and likes), and then Knitting Cult Lady, and to this day, practically tries to hide The White Woman Whisperer, and she's one smart cookie. She's grounded, and an absolute joy to watch! If you're interested in liberation, check her out! That's been her jam!

[@gunnargrubbs3123]

I loveeee this video. So in-depth and touches on many angles of why art has become so commodified and vanilla or “safe.” I am one of the artists that has felt incredibly alone in most of my ideas and unrepresented in any modern reflections I see on social media. This video was very validating and informative, and I also feel like it re-lit that fire in me to create honest and transparent art again without safety nets or promise of monetary backing.

[@g0d5m15t4k3]

Goddamn. David Bowie absolutely destroying that MTV interviewer about "Why aren't there more black artists?" I've never seen that clip. Wow.

[@g0d5m15t4k3]

Honestly all your clips are absolutely top-notch. Thank you!

[@rawbinmo]

Brilliant. Thanks for taking the time to spell all of this out in an unbiased, clear way.

[@cardomajig24]

I don't think art is dead more than people decided they loved slop and nebulous pleasure more than engaging with a piece. The youth also found hyperconsumerism useful as a mode of shaping identity - a phenomenon that soon spread to their parents as they were sold lifestyles instead of mere products.

[@kaitlynancell6075]

Nick shoulders is a country artist who does a great job speaking out his social commentary and educating people where country music roots actually come from. Thanks for this video :)

[@swimsuitcookies]

It may be mentioned in the video, since im halfway through, but also a lot of art by younger upcoming artists posts on monotized platforms have to be sanitized for social media or you literally cant post it, if you happen to violate the guidelines your account can be banned with no way to appeal and you lose all your posts and audience

[@Bornfree1010]

Thank you for helping me see what I hv lost touch with, & informing me of important things I did not know. Finally, your message on veg out, but dont lose reality was a wonderful way to close as it helpful in relieving overwhelm.

[@cartist5523]

As someone who has been very driven and compassionate towards Art/ Fine Arts in particular but I like to try a lot of art related things. I think people not all but a good amount of people have distanced themselves from it and are very close minded. Musical art is becoming more mainstream and the same things are getting heard on the internet. Same with fine arts most artists draw cute girls, partly because it’s popular and partly because they like it. I feel like social media is just not helping others in some ways. Also AI is around now so Artists are more nervous about sharing their content on a platform like instagram or Facebook or TickTock.

[@cartist5523]

@@m_lies ooop yeah didn’t even notice until you said that goodness