My Sentiments EXACTLY
These are the Ten Points of Mess Hall, an experimental cultural space in my neighborhood. I remember the first time I read this a couple years ago and how I felt stunned at how perfectly it articulated my personal beliefs about my creative endeavors and life in general.
I believe in abundance. I believe in sharing. I believe in radical generosity. I believe in dismantling fear and hierarchy. I believe all these things, and more...I believe the driving force behind all these other beliefs is Love. And Hope. And Joy. And Struggle.
This is why I take photographs. I know that I have a gift, and I say this without arrogance but with a sense of responsibility. I can deny that gift under the guise of humility, and in doing so squander something precious and powerful. Or I can take ownership of it, be accountable to it, give it away as freely and as unconditionally as it was given to me. It is a choice that I have to make again and again.
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I wish there were more Mess Halls and more people who believed in its philosophy. I do know a couple of guys like that, and I admire them for their efforts.
I also think this extends to what you use to do art. I love to use old cereal boxes and strings, scrap paper, and anything that I can find around the house as material for art and collages. It saves me money, "recycles," and gets rid of surplus.
I don't know that I have a gift like you, but I certainly spouse this same belief when I create anything, photographs or otherwise. Thank you for posting that sign, it's wonderful.