Why Do You Create?
This week, I went to a Vivian Maier exhibit at the Harold Washington Library. I had seen some of her photos before, and I knew there was a lot of buzz over them the last few years – but I never really looked into her story. The exhibit was well done, and I was really glad I went. But as I was leaving the exhibit, I took a postcard and read this on the back:
Using a Rolleiflex camera, Maier wandered the streets of Chicago shooting images of everyday scenes and people. She did this mostly on her days free from working as a nanny and housekeeper in the North Shore Suburbs of Chicago. She showed the images to no one and eventually stored the photographs and undeveloped film in a storage unit.
Unable to pay the rental fee later in her life, the unit was auctioned and purchased by John Maloof in 2007. Maloof posted the pictures on a photo website where they soon received a great deal of attention. He searched for information about her and discovered her obituary in the Chicago Tribune. She died days before he could locate her. At 83 years old, Maier had passed away not knowing her work would become critically acclaimed and the subject of books and exhibitions.
Shit. Vivian never knew.
I rode the maze of escalators to the exit and read the postcard again and tears welled up in my eyes (I’m sensitive these days, ok?). So many questions popped into my head. Why didn’t she show anyone these photos? Is it cool that John Maloof exposed all of her work without her permission? If she didn’t make these photographs for money or recognition, then why did she create them? Would the work be different if she knew other people would be looking at and judging her work? Why did she create these?
It got real deep on the escalator of the library.
But really, why did Vivian take all of those photos? Why do any of us create? You don’t have to be a photographer to answer this. Cooking a dinner or writing a blog post is creating. Do you create to get recognition? Maybe you want a book deal or your content to go viral. I’m not saying those reasons are wrong. I’m guilty of creating to be seen. But I also know from experience that this can also make creating less enjoyable and even change the quality of the work.
Can we all take a page from Vivian Maier this week? Create without the fear that anyone will see it, taste it, or judge it. Go wild. Put everything you have into it. Put down your phone and live in the moment of creating. Create the greatest meal, photo, or article you’ve ever made…as if no one will ever see it. Create like Vivian. Create just for you.
12 Comments
Jennifer
September 3, 2014Oh man… I needed to read this today. Thanks for sharing, gal.
Jessica
September 4, 2014Thanks for stopping by Jennifer! Means a lot coming from you.
Jourdan
September 4, 2014I need to read this every morning. Great reminder!
Jessica
September 4, 2014Me too! Thanks, Jourdan.
Joseph
September 4, 2014Well damn.
First of all, I love Vivian Maier and saw the exhibit a year (or so) ago at the Chicago History Museum; I cried, too, because feelings. I wonder if it’s the same at the Library?
Secondly, if you haven’t seen it, please seek out In the Realms of the Unreal, a documentary about Henry Darger, another Chicag0 artist who has incredible work but died in obscurity.
Finally, this is a topic I’ve been ruminating over for a few weeks now, and to read it here is another great reminder to just… get off my ass.
Thanks for this.
Jessica
September 4, 2014I love Henry Darger! I have a book of his – but never saw the movie. Thanks for sharing that. I am feeling like a “get off my ass” today too. Let’s get off our asses together and do shit. Thanks for reading!
Julia
September 5, 2014Such amazing insight. This gave me burst of creativity after reading. Thank you for posting.
Jessica
September 5, 2014Julia, thanks for reading it! I always need little bursts. Thanks again for stopping by.
Anne McCollam
September 7, 2014There are a couple of documentaries available now to learn more about this amazing w0man! “Finding Vivian Maier” is the one I just saw. Loved it–made me sad/happy/crying. Thanks for spreading her beauty
Jessica
September 7, 2014Thanks Anne! And since I wrote this there is now a huge legal battle that is starting up over the heir to her work. Excited to see the documentary. Thanks!
Owen
September 11, 2014Some interesting thoughts Jessica. I have been somewhat close to one of the Vivian Maier projects over the past 3-4 years and find her whole story and her subsequent fascinating. There is such a wide range of opinions on how her work has been handled since its discovery and her death, there is not one clear answer but personally I hope there will continue to be opportunities to see more of her work; what is currently accessible is a fraction of what is out there.
One of the amazing elements of Vivian’s self-portraits, especially the ones where she is a reflection or a shadow in a larger event/scene is that because she uses the Rolleiflex she was able to remove the camera from the frame, becoming more of an identifiable participant in that moment. I like Pierre’s and your photo, but at the same time would like to be able to see Pierre’s expression ashe is taking the picture as well. Arguably it was the Rolleiflex being held below eye level that may have allowed her to capture the intimacy of the moment that makes her pictures so compelling for me, but then again, maybe it was all Vivian.
Keep creating!!
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October 8, 2014[…] Like Jess says, don’t just create for others. Do it for you. […]