Dying Art And Changing Times

At this point in my life I am certainly not a senior citizen (no offence to any who are) but even at my age I feel that since a child I have felt that art is dying. Whether rendered obsolete by technology or simply social change many art forms I knew as a child and teenager have lost their audience and possibly their spark altogether.

As a teenager I wrote a large novel and in my late teens to early twenties I went on book tours and many other promotional events to gain recognition and basically have my novel sold. I had secured a deal with a publisher and did make money from it, very good money for someone of that age group. During that few years I came to understand that it was a lot of work to sell a book.

The audiences that once purchased books have aged and have been replaced by a young new set of consumers that were much more interested in the immediacy of a product. For instance when they listen to a song it comes and goes in a few minutes and it must be exciting throughout or it is deleted. Instead of reading books many simply want to see the film, it is easier and uses less time. Art and crafts in general have been eradicated as factories have for quite awhile been pumping out sculptures, and many other trinkets that used to have to be hand carved. Things that used to be unique have become inexpensive faux artifacts.

Even now as I approach 30 I feel that the times have passed me by. I enjoyed computer games in the 1990s that wanted you to use your mind, solve puzzles. I enjoy a very specific kind of music that looked at music as a form of art and was presented by underdogs with an underground mentality. I enjoy literature and sci-fi and I enjoy sculpting, making claymation cartoons, and many other types of art. These things define me as a person and I don't think I could wake up one morning and completely give them up. It would be virtual suicide.

I guess all I am trying to say is that I feel very lost in these times and I don't think I can be the only one. I know that times change and many may say you must change with the times but what happens when you can't? Do you become obsolete as well?

Let me know your thoughts. Do you feel the same?

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