Negative approach
We were at a party in Richmond, right around the time we'd decided to move back down here, but before we'd actually done it. In two different conversations, two people at the party made a point of saying they didn't have a television when talk turned to something mass-media-related. I remember thinking that was odd; no one says, "You know, I have a TV" when others mention the theater, or film, or classical music.
Since then I've I've lost track of the vegetarians, fans of natural childbirth and advocates of analog recording, French diesel engines from the '60s and single-lens-reflex photography among folks I've just met. Usually it's the first or second thing I learn about them. Not what they do for a living—what they don't do.
In fact, work seems to be almost a distraction for these folks, a necessary evil that supports their real avocation. More than once, when I've told someone here that I'm a writer, they've asked me what I do for money. It's one of the weirdest things about Richmond—for a place with such a disproportionate number of clever artists, there are very few who have found a way to put their talent to work for themselves.
Now, obviously, a lot of this is out of peoples' hands. Richmond is a very small city, a tertiary market at best, and there simply aren't a ton of interesting jobs out there. And I think that plays into the "don't do"s, because anytime people are forced, out of economic necessity, to work in environments where their gifts are not particularly appreciated, or even required, they tend to resent everything about the people around them. Rubbing up against "mainstream" culture day in and day out, then retreating to "safe" places with your fellow miserables, well, I guess badges of nonconformity are a currency of sorts.
Tattooes? Whatever. Religion? Go nuts. But on the whole I suspect this negative definition is corrosive. I do believe, all things being equal, everyone "owns" their own happiness. Yeah, it's hard to make a living as a fine artist, but surely there's some aspect of your skill set that lends itself to a decent wage and doesn't require you to give up on the outside world altogether? That might require moving to a larger city, but then again, places such as Asheville seem to get along just fine, without all the wagon-circling I sense among the Richmond hiperati.
Jobs that intersect with your interests aren't easy to find. But just like good stuff on TV, they're out there. Anyway, just a thought or two on a cold morning.
Since then I've I've lost track of the vegetarians, fans of natural childbirth and advocates of analog recording, French diesel engines from the '60s and single-lens-reflex photography among folks I've just met. Usually it's the first or second thing I learn about them. Not what they do for a living—what they don't do.
In fact, work seems to be almost a distraction for these folks, a necessary evil that supports their real avocation. More than once, when I've told someone here that I'm a writer, they've asked me what I do for money. It's one of the weirdest things about Richmond—for a place with such a disproportionate number of clever artists, there are very few who have found a way to put their talent to work for themselves.
Now, obviously, a lot of this is out of peoples' hands. Richmond is a very small city, a tertiary market at best, and there simply aren't a ton of interesting jobs out there. And I think that plays into the "don't do"s, because anytime people are forced, out of economic necessity, to work in environments where their gifts are not particularly appreciated, or even required, they tend to resent everything about the people around them. Rubbing up against "mainstream" culture day in and day out, then retreating to "safe" places with your fellow miserables, well, I guess badges of nonconformity are a currency of sorts.
Tattooes? Whatever. Religion? Go nuts. But on the whole I suspect this negative definition is corrosive. I do believe, all things being equal, everyone "owns" their own happiness. Yeah, it's hard to make a living as a fine artist, but surely there's some aspect of your skill set that lends itself to a decent wage and doesn't require you to give up on the outside world altogether? That might require moving to a larger city, but then again, places such as Asheville seem to get along just fine, without all the wagon-circling I sense among the Richmond hiperati.
Jobs that intersect with your interests aren't easy to find. But just like good stuff on TV, they're out there. Anyway, just a thought or two on a cold morning.
posted by Andrew Beaujon at 10:43
2 Comments:
There are a couple of ways at looking at this.
Yuo can make a living through art, music, or writing in Richmond, though as many people find out, its extremely difficult. Part of that difficulty comes from a really conservative climate that frowns on freedom and anything that challenges the status quo. The lack of "official support" or at least operating climate leads to a lot of people winging things from the seat of their pants or trying to get in under the radar- in other words- a lack of professionalism, which in its own way weeds things out for good and bad, but in turn, makes things difficult for other artists.
Another way to look at this is to say that Richmond's conservatism also leads to a very grounded economy based on production. It used to be tobacco, now its banking, avertising, paper products, chemical additives, rail and trucking, etc. One of the nice things about that is Richmond does not usually experience big swings in the economy- its very stable for the most part. Its often easier for artists to just do their jobs, make the damn money, and then keep working on stuff on the side. Whether or not that is good for artists is a different question.
Ack, I have to continue this later, I am at work...
The separation of passion and work that exists could be in response to being marketed to interminably, which has made us desirous of a certain type of lifestyle. Lifestyle disorder effects most everyone, not just The Donald, but any of us who buy things we don’t really need. (Side bar: Why does Donald Trump have his Apprentices perform high school marketing exercises like running an ice-cream cart? Shouldn’t they be waxing Keynesian or in China ripping off trademarks?)
Working is necessary to pay the light bill and buy groceries, but also to shop at the Target, which stocks milk—got it?-- amongst its gee-gaws and whatchamahoosies—want it! Recently, Target has been pumping their “Global bazaar” campaign mightily. Admittedly, the notion of “shopping the world, from home” is enticing. An Asian inspired fabric covered pillow, without a plane ride, and for $12.99; this somehow, for an extended instance, satisfies an eminent need for discovery with a disposable purchase. Yet, purchasing is soulless, a quick fix, like eating out every night instead of learning to cook.
Perhaps the quasi-braggadocios, yet extraneous remark, “I don’t own a TV”, made over cocktails, is an attempt to say, “I’m not buying”. But, of course, we are. Consider billboards, movies, newspapers, and the internet: sources of information and pleasure; conduits for values. How often do you see a billboard promoting alternative energy sources, or renewable resources? Why doesn’t Michael Jordon promote education as prominently as he sells Nikes?
I devour TV the way that big blond who sells Trim Spa previously emptied jars of pickles and cans of cheese spread. Anna used to eat a lot of junk food, but at least she was picky about her indulgences.
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