"The sharp knife of a short life

I've had just enough time..."


- "If I Die Young" The Band Perry


I see Beauty in many things. And like the ghosts that only speak to you if you notice them, they tell me wondrous tales. With my camera and my thoughts, I captured these as faithfully as I can to share with you. And by doing so, they gave me the reasons. And though the thousand reasons may not all be sweet and some indeed bitter; they are still reasons to live. Come to think about it, that is Life, isn't it?

Saturday 13 April 2013

Paid To Create Dreams That You Will Purchase



I've had just enough time...   to see a dream painted

Taken in a production workshop for disabled artists, Hanoi

The dreams I paint
I wish I am in
But the dreams I paint
Are sold for money

Taken away
Will it be nourished
Or left in a forgotten corner
Among forgotten things

I don’t mind sharing if…


The needle in her hand flew and a picture took shape

I wanted to ask -
What is it you see in my dreams
When you hand over your money
I don’t want to sell if you feel nothing

But I’ve no say
I’m paid to create dreams
That You will purchase


Taking a break and admiring her own dream which will be taken away in exchange for money


7 comments:

  1. That's a little sad. I think I prefer to think that they like to paint; to be able to express themselves through a painting. Same for writers and musicians... I don't think writers worry too much about who will appreciate their book and who won't. As it is with a pianist on a stage. After all, that's the beauty of Art, isn't it? A way to express oneself, and to each his own.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I’ll agree with you if an artist is free to do it for Arts sake alone. But sadly not theses artists. They are talented, that is beyond doubt. But their arts is being exploited to earn a living. There is nothing essentially very wrong in that, after all one has to live. But because they are commissioned artists, what they produced are determined by commercial value. And if they poured their hearts and dreams into their works, they still have no say on what to keep or who to see them to. That is sad.

      Delete

  2. 1000 Reasons - (extremely busy...slow to respond)
    This is essentially a factory in Hanoi, producing Arts. I’m torn between supporting it and disowning it. On one hand, it provided a decent living for these talented and many of them disabled artists. Without it, their lots in Life would be much worse off. On the other hand, it is also a form of exploitation. While I think it is the lesser of two evils, it prevented me from whole-heartedly supporting the concept.

    ★sethph88 added this photo to his favorites.
    sad.....the exploiters get more money than the artists....

    vignettes_IND
    great click!
    ★vignettes_IND and ΞSSΞ®®Ξ added this photo to their favorites.

    -Josh Birchall-
    amazing shot here and what an amazing peice of art

    ★Onasill added this photo to his favorites.
    Well executed for the effect. Compliments Thou

    ineedathis
    And many of us will gladly do it and enjoy it for years to come,
    Wonderful moment you captured dear friend!
    have a wonderful week ahead!
    ★ineedathis added this photo to his favorites.

    Sunciti _ Sundaram's Images + Messages
    Beautiful image Exquisitely Presented. Nice Image And Imaginative Caption.
    Well Done and Thank You .

    ReplyDelete

  3. october blue
    A fine photo ...and I do like the painting as well ! Yes ...it is a bittersweet situation for these artists, as you described so eloquently . I am glad that those who are artistically gifted ( and especially those who are disabled as well) have a chance to create beauty ....I only wish that they would be more fairly compensated for their labors .

    ★i_still_believe_in_u added this photo to their favorites.

    oola *
    don't mind sharing IF...
    that is sooooooooo true...
    some of one's works...are like children...and you don't want to let them go just anywhere with just anyone...
    soo...well said...

    sethph88
    maybe, for them it's a job... excellent image.........

    ★sethph88 and ΞSSΞ®®Ξ added this photo to their favorites.

    Onasill
    Splendid view....some may live in the present. Wonderfully set and my compliments
    ★Onasill added this photo to his favorites.

    Rajagiri
    Amazing painting.. Very talented artist. Thank you for the shot and story...

    ReplyDelete
  4. With regard to your latest post, from what I understand, the very poor and disabled cannot eat dreams, so even if it appears they are being exploited, supporting their work means they can live without begging or indeed, starving. Life can be cruel, the choices we make are difficult . It appears that for some, simple dreams are a luxury.
    - Daisyglade

    You hit it on the head! That is precisely how I felt though sometimes I wonder if I'm over-sensitive and imagined things different from what they actually are. There will be some who are thankful to just have something to eat or a mean to look after their family. To others, it is just a job and not a too bad one considering the world they live in and they have no complaints. But to some sensitive souls, they must feel what I think they feel - the pain of being torn away the dreams they created. It is a complicated world and I'm quite sure all three situations exist.
    - 1000 Reasons

    ReplyDelete

  5. ★Yasmin de light -on and off - Thanku added this photo to her favorites.
    I think - no one will ever take away the most important thing these artists have eg their creativity and wonderful talent. And looking at these pictures it is really hard to imagine how anyone buying this will feel nothing. I imagine they will place it in the best place in their living room or purchase it for a loved one to do the same - and then have an opportunity to transport themselves and their into this beautiful dream world everyday. But the question is, once again, - are they getting a fair exchange in income for this wonderful work from their employer?

    ShambLady
    this is wonderful!!!!the story however is supersad ....
    Seen on your photo stream. (?)

    ishratzakiasultana
    Probably you imagined too much or probably that's how the artists feel too. We don't know. What is fairness to the buyers may sound unfair to the sellers. I just wish a balance exist among the feelings of creation, worthy payment for that piece of art and a value of art!
    Appreciate your thoughtfulness!

    ReplyDelete

  6. Rajagiri
    Great image. Interesting but, sad story behind the scene..

    henrhyde (gill) Been Away Catching Up
    Beautiful presentation of this image -- magical in your thoughts and words.--Thou - San

    october blue added this photo to their favorites.
    A fine photo ...and I do like the painting as well ! Yes ...it is a bittersweet situation for these artists, as you described so eloquently . I am glad that those who are artistically gifted ( and especially those who are disabled as well) have a chance to create beauty ....I only wish that they would be more fairly compensated for their labors .

    ★i_still_believe_in_u added this photo to their favorites.

    oola *
    don't mind sharing IF...
    that is sooooooooo true...
    some of one's works...are like children...and you don't want to let them go just anywhere with just anyone...
    soo...well said...

    Eyemdreaming
    Interesting thoughts...
    but then the impact of art as with every other experience, is of the moment it happens!
    Even if a painting is hung in clear view on a wall, often it is seldom really looked at. After awhile it becomes as "wallpaper"...only truly impressing and connecting when and if someone stops to really look at it.
    Wonderful post 1000 Reasons!

    ★Prometheus-BD added this photo to his favorites.
    Splendid shot

    Yasmin de light -on and off - Thanku
    A very beautiful image Thou. It shows the artist's wonderful imagination and creativity and skill. I can see partly as to why you see this as exploitation, but then on the other hand life is full of exploitations of variying degrees. Most of us need to sell our skills to earn a living (as we don't have the luxury of just working for our own enjoyment only - apart from as a part-time hobby perhaps). And if we earn a substantial/fair amount from it then it's a fair exchange - and it may give us a sense of accomplisment and self worth. And in this sense I see this situation as a positive thing that hopefully gives the disabled a sense of accomplishment and good self esteem. The question for me would be are they getting a fair exchange of money and recognition to match how much time and skill they are offering. And I suppose you are right in wondering what happens to the painting once it's purchase. But I suppose that is the case with most visual displays. Let us hope that these paintings are also bought by art galleries - and part of the income from the display goes to a good cause. Take it easy my friend and I wish you a happy week full of wonderful accomplisments : ))
    ★Yasmin de light -on and off - Thanku added this photo to her favorites.

    ShambLady
    lovely illustration!!! nicely brought too! :D

    Cheri Sundra: Guerrilla Historian
    Excellent!
    This photo was invited and added to the AFOTANDO (Post 1 / Award 2) group.
    This photo was invited and added to the Art for Everyone! group.
    This photo was invited and added to the CLICK the CAMERA group.
    This photo was invited and added to the Cool POP ART à la WARHOL group.
    This photo was invited and added to the PANEM ET CIRCENSES / BREAD AND CIRCUSES-P1/C1 group.

    paspog
    This Excellent
    art work was seen on
    Art for Everyone !

    Thank you for sharing !

    ishratzakiasultana
    I got your point Thou. There is reason to be upset about that. However, as Yasmin pointed out exploitation is everywhere around us- north to south, east to west. But the question is if the exploited ones view it as exploitation or they take it easy. Whatever the context is, I wish the painters are paid fairly and of course their creations are valued by the audience. I believe exploitation and fairness exist side by side.
    Your title draws my attention strongly. I had kind of idea that no one can purchase other's dream. Probably this is not always right, at least your thoughtful pictures are the evidence.

    ReplyDelete

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