The New York Times Magazinelast week included an article about how artists are exposing the internet-related privacy issues most people have been oblivious to. I think it is a must-read for everyone, but particularly for creative pros. Why creatives? Because sometimes y’all need a reminder of your power.
Artists of all stripes look more deeply at the world around them; those who inform themselves the most tend to make very strong art. Strong art is, in my opinion, that which challenges the observer in some way. The projects discussed in this article are great examples of that; they expose how the internet has become (mostly) a corporate space and how the “service providers” are taking much more than they give.
You, as an artist (regardless of your medium), havethe power to confront authority and the complacency of the masses. You can make us see the things we have been blind to. You can challenge us to do better, to be better. You can find ways to do that which, perhaps, on the surface appear pleasing and gentle; once past the surface, though, we see the harsherreality and, maybe, you show usa way to change it.
As we move into what may be very dark days indeed for many people, especially those on the margins, including creatives, remember your power. Use it to help shape our cultural future and, in the doing, you will help write a better history.