The Walrus has a good interview with Simon Brault, author of No Culture, No Future, the new book that exploresthe fact that the arts are a necessity, not a luxury.
As he puts it, the book is a “call to action” – for Brault, it’s up to everyone to communicate with one another to promote and encourage the arts.
Image: cormorantbooks.com
Here is some of what Brault has to say in the interview:
“When you look in the papers, the conversation around arts and culture is reduced to the economy or to presenting a particular cultural product. It’s not a broad conversation about what arts and culture bring to people — to children, to people who are lonely, to people who have a need for expressive life.”
“Every human being has a relationship with the arts. The fact that we are ignoring that — and trying to lecture people as if they are completely ignorant, as if they are completely disconnected from everything we believe in – is a big problem.”
“I read, I think, I write, but mostly I act. And I try to act with people around me. I still believe that ideas can change the world. I know it can sound like a very romantic vision — but it’s not so romantic because things are changing… ”
Author Simon Brault. Image: cormorantbooks.com
I haven’t read the book, but I’m looking forward to it.
If you want to know more on Brault’s thoughts vis a vis the arts in Canada (and the world), buy the book HERE.
Andrea Carson writes on contemporary art, architecture and design...
The concern I have about the Arts, are centered around all the free municipally/government funded events that turn “ART” into a freebie night for a large percentage of people who at any other time of the year don’t bother going to a play or a Gallery. As these things are increasingly becoming social events with an opportunity for free booze, a lot of people just wait for these events(twice a year) and feel that this is enough exposure to culture. I know some argue its better than no culture for the uneducated masses but what does it do to the Arts? Does it de-value the work? Does the exposure actually help an artists career? And if a lot of the budget goes to Jeff Koons Silver Bunny is it actually benefitting Canadian Artists? or just attracting tourism. I am interested in reading Simon Brault’s Book to see if any of this is addressed.