Craft vs Art by Catharine Bramkamp
Let’s welcome back monthly columnist Catharine Bramkamp as she shares with us “Craft vs Art.” Enjoy!
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The British philosopher R.G.Collingwood argued that “craft . . . is skilled work purposefully directed towards a final product or designed artifact; the craftsman knows in advance what the end product will look like.”
On the other hand, “creative artists strictly speaking never know what they’re doing.” — Denis Dutton in The Art Instinct
Hobby or Art?
How is a hobby different from art?
Dance as Hobby, Writing as Art
While I was on a writing retreat in Taos, (I have always wanted to start a paragraph with that sentence), my dance instructor called.
Our troupe had been invited to perform at the Celtic Festival the weekend I was flying home.
I would miss the Saturday dance, but had committed to dancing on Sunday.
Long story, but the event stage had been reduced by a few feet and so accommodated fewer dancers.
In the four acts of the dance, I would dance in only one.
And to her credit, our leader/instructor/choreographer was very concerned that I would feel rejected by the modification.
After reassuring her I completely understood and would see her on time on Sunday (flying home Saturday night) I considered the exchange.
Dance is my hobby.
Dance is her art.
We practice the Egyptian Cabaret style of belly dancing.
Our performances fall into the fusion category.
I love dancing, I love practicing and improving.
I love the costumes and makeup (but have yet to master applying false eyelashes).
During a family crisis, dancing saved me.
Dance is important, just not as important as writing, which is my art, and my passion.
The Difference That Matters
Hobbies are fun.
Art is necessary.
And both can live in harmony.
Purpose and Play
I love attending writing conventions and dance festivals.
During a writing conference, I have goals, I want to connect with specific people.
I often volunteer or serve on the organizing committee.
I bring business cards.
Dance festivals are very different.
I love the beautiful costume on display, love the dancers and dances, and love to perform.
But for me, the festival atmosphere is blessedly free of purpose.
It’s just fun.
Fun is good.
And far more entertaining than a conference packed with goals.
Room to Create
Art needs space.
In every home we’ve lived in, I’ve had a room of my own.
Artists need space and often privacy.
Hobby space is often more flexible.
We would appreciate space for our hobbies but we won’t languish without it.
We won’t get angry about it.
We won’t resent it.
The Daily Ritual of Art
No matter where I am, I organize my writing space the night before.
I need to wake with the coffee and computer all set.
My son once commented that he remembered waking every morning to the sound of a keyboard.
Deep Geek Knowledge
You know it’s your art if you can go on and on about the history, the process and your own product without taking a breath.
I love to ask my friends about their most recent art projects.
I just sit back and watch them go.
Because they will go.
Once I asked a winemaker how the harvest was coming along.
After half an hour, his wife touched his leg and whispered “Honey, she doesn’t need to know THAT much.”
Wounded, he responded, “But she ASKED!”
I did ask.
I love to be with artists who can express their passion, want to express their passion, and deliver deep geek knowledge about their passion.
When a Hobby Stays a Hobby
Deep Geek knowledge straddles the line between hobby and passion and could well push you into the latter.
I study the Great War.
I own a shelf full of books on the subject.
I’ve taken classes.
I am planning a trip to visit the trenches in France, all to better understand the art movements that followed the war.
Studying WWI has become a hobby, but it’s not a passion.
I don’t own WWI stuff.
I don’t need a whole room for the books.
Art and Identity
Like my dad who happily pivoted from introducing himself as a teacher to introducing himself as a film maker.
How do you introduce yourself?
Your old position?
Your former title?
Can you introduce yourself as an artist?
A friend was struggling with his artistic identity.
He had been a successful conductor, it was his art and his identity.
For various reasons, not the least that music is a difficult and slippery form of art, that role fell off; he hadn’t been able to do the work for quite some time.
Who was he if not a conductor?
A hobby does not invite that kind of angst.
Becoming Your Art
We may not be tortured artists, but we could be.
We can identify as artists.
We can introduce ourselves in the context of our art.
It’s more fun that way, the conversations are more interesting, the ideas more generative.
We rarely become our hobby, but we always become our art: that glorious obsession.
The Second Act
What did I want to be when I grew up?
A writer.
What am I doing now?
Writing.
What did my dad want to be when he grew up?
He didn’t really know, but when he landed on film maker, it was game changing.
His last years were being and identifying with his passion.
What a wonderful way to spend our second act!
Look for my new book — Take Up Space — Art as Your Second Act scheduled for release at the end of the month! www.Catharine-Bramkamp.com
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Catharine Bramkamp is a successful writing coach, Chief Storytelling Officer, former co-producer of Newbie Writers Podcast, and author of a dozen books including the Real Estate Diva Mysteries series, and The Future Girls series. She holds two degrees in English and is an adjunct university professor. After fracturing her wrist, she has figured out there is very little she is able to do with one hand tied behind her back. She delights in inspiring her readers.
