Summary of the Article:
This article reviews two books offering advice and insights from contemporary artists: “Survival Notes: life Lessons from Contemporary Artists” by Lydia R Figes and “What is Art For?” by Ben Luke.
“Survival Notes” presents a collection of interviews with artists, offering unconventional wisdom on navigating the creative world and modern life. The author finds the advice relatable, even if impractical at times, highlighting quotes from artists like Alvaro Barrington (on procrastination) and Grayson Perry (on basic decency).
“What is Art For?” is based on Luke’s podcast and focuses on artists’ cultural influences and recommendations.The article emphasizes the enjoyment found in discovering the diverse tastes of artists like Ragnar Kjartansson, Roni Horn, and Julie Mehretu.
Ultimately, the article suggests both books offer valuable perspectives on creativity, resilience, and the importance of cultural engagement, even if the advice isn’t always directly applicable to everyday life. The author uses their own struggles with procrastination and writing the article to illustrate the relatability of the artists’ words.
