Why Are Artists Starving?
7-10-15
By: Meaghan McGurgan
Despite the prospect of a lower than average income, and their parents objections, many students in Hong Kong continue to choose a career in the arts. It seems obvious that artists are prepared to work for low pay in the beginning. We're told stories in college of Van Gogh starving. We all work second jobs to pay the bills. Artists sacrifice themselves for the sake of their art. Not only artists but society as well contributes to this peculiar sector that is dependent on donations and subsidies for approximately half of its total revenues. But why are artists in Hong Kong, in particular, unable to make a living? It seems like an open market that should work...
For a proper understanding of the economy of HK's art scene it is important to realize that the definition of art is subjective and that in some societies being an artist is looked down upon. Some social groups have a larger say in the establishment of an artist than others. The various socio-economic groups share the notion of what is "real art" and what is not. The lower socio-economic classes look up to the high art that is preferred by the upper class and they then apologize for their own aesthetic choices. Meanwhile, groups higher up on the social class look down on the art preferred by the lower ranks. Art Basel and the other art fairs in Hong Kong are a great example of this. They bring millions of dollars into the Hong Kong art economy, but how much of that money actually returns to local Hong Kong artists?
An artists who asks for a living wage or for pay for a project is easily painted as greedy by his audience. But why are we allowing this? Audience in Hong Kong will often snear at high ticket prices for local events. Would we expect a lawyer or a doctor to work for free? Why a painter or an actor? Although the arts earn approximately half of their income in the market and earn others in "day skills", such as being a teacher or being a waiter.
Hundreds of years ago, this tendency was less evident. In Ancient Rome, artists were reveared as special. And currently, in Aboriginal tribes, artists earn the highest wages. In Cambodia, a Khmer dancer is paid twice the wages of a day laborer. But why has the Hong Kong society rejected artists? This kind of denial towards the creative will continue to influence the economy, without a support of the creative spirit, what will happen to Hong Kong's people? I need to also point out, there is no relationship between quality and price. In other words, there is no relationship between aesthetic value and market value. The best show I ever saw cost 5USD and was a community theatre piece, so stop using the word "am-dram" as an excuse for creating sub-par work... In fact let's get rid of the word amateur all together. Community is a much more positive word for unpaid work.
Experts in art determine aesthetic value; but social value can often mean more than the words of critic. (And this is coming from a critic...) Their 'power of words' is comparable with the consumer's 'power of money'. The latter determines market value. These two powers do not always correspond. Due to their various origins, systematic deviations between market and aesthetic value can arise. Art is subjective and aesthetic value can differ based on societial location and customs. When there is a conflict between aesthetic and market value, there is almost always a swing toward the market. How can one argue with the almighty dollar? Why do we think K$sha has a career?
Our inclination to regard the artists as the selfless, starving individual is another expression of the denial of the economy. It is said that artists do not care about money and in that way they manage to maintain their autonomy. Society looks down on commercial artists. But an artist needs to survive and if he or she is talented, why shouldn't it be on their craft? Why shouldn't they value their skills? An artist is more or less commercial and shouldn't be ashamed of asking for money for their skills. It is time for Hong Kong to celebrate the entreupeneunerial artist, finally take up his plight and support local art. Or Should we leave him to fend for himself and starve in the corner?
You tell me...
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