Willing to Fail

Work of Art: The Next Great Artist on Bravo TV (channel 42 in North County, Wednesday at 10 pm) Reality TV comes to Fine Art

Here Not There: SD Artist Now exhibition until Sept 19 at The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla.

What does a crass TV reality program have to do with an emerging art show in San Diego’s modern museum? Simple. Both are showcasing artists who are willing to fail.

Being willing to fail is more important than one would think. In fact, I would say it is the cornerstone of creativity. It means attempting something in a new way, trying to break out of the box, going where no one has gone before.

The frontier of the new is not for chickens. No matter how lame the artists on the American Idol twin might be, they are taking that chance and we could all benefit if it is a success. Imagine if a mass audience dared to support the arts by buying it and displaying it on their walls. What if the general population started talking about the latest fine art talent? What if this quest to find the great raised the bar for the normal?

That could mean that a show like that at the MCASD became a sign post for all those new patrons. The artist would benefit from art sales and the museum with more community support. And it would happen HERE not there, yes, right here in San Diego.