Art and Fantasy

 One version of the “many worlds” view of quantum mechanics envisions a kind of existential cloning in which significant decisions in our “right now reality” generate parallel worlds based upon the “roads not chosen” in that moment of significant choice - taking that job, marrying that partner, joining that group of believers - those kinds of choices. Those “roads not taken” worlds spin off in other corners of the universe. It is such a strange concept that while I can understand it from a “the universe is infinite and hence all things are possible” perspective, it stretches even my wildly flexible imagination.

But, interestingly, I am less bothered by my personal conviction that fantasy, creativity, and curiosity are all often fostered by a kind of “leakage” from those “roads not taken” existences into our “right now reality.” It seems that in the arts, philosophy and the sciences world altering changes appear seemingly from nowhere. 

There is a lot of chatter right now in publications across disciplines that artistic expression may have predated not only homo sapiens, but all hominids. Where did that come from? On the scientific side CRISPER and other gene editing tools let us create, recreate, invent all manner of living entities. Our machines are pushing the boundaries of space and the depths of our fragile planet. Again, where did that come from?

At some point and at some time, I believe, they all started as fantasies, as dreams, as the conscious, subconscious or unconscious musings on the general narrative theme of “wouldn’t it be (awesome, cool, wonderful- chose the descriptor you use or were raised with) if we could . . .”

These fantasies obviously live in the same building as curiosity, but in slightly different apartments. Curiosity lives in a “wondering about” apartment, while Fantasy lives in an apartment that houses a reality, where the “awesome, cool, and wonderful” really exists. You can touch it, see it, feel it. You believe it.

So what does that mean for artists? Which, you are not surprised to realize, is where I was heading. The important point, I believe, is to allow fantasy a more flexible place in our lives. Some of the examples I gave above were fantasies that became realities. Fantasies that moved in with curiosities and eventually gave birth to realities. And that is glorious. It is the process that drives humanity forward, that has allowed the species to achieve the unimaginable. And hopefully the process will continue to allow us address and solve the significant issues that confront us.

But that is not necessarily the role of fantasy for artists. Fantasy need not always lead to curiosity and reality; processes, products, businesses, or employment. Sometimes, oftentimes, the contribution of the artist is to simply articulate the fantasy, in visual modes, musical constructions, literature, whatever. This seemingly picky redefinition of fantasy is of particular importance to artists in that it frees them in a couple of important ways.

First, it answers the question often posed to artists by the broader culture - and almost always by parents - what are you going to do with that? Answer: Maybe nothing, or perhaps - wait for it - simply Foster Harmony and Enable Beauty.

Second, but related to the first, it frees the artist from the necessity of, or the expectation of, being the “actual creator” of the fantasy vision. Too old, too young, too poor, too weak, to play the central protagonist in the fantasy? No problem. Actualizing the fantasy is not the artist’s obligation. The job of the artist is to articulate that which, beyond the boundaries of “reality,” is possible in the imagination.

I do realize that this kind of job driven by Fantasy rarely pays the bills and so is often restricted to the retired - like me - or the  wealthy, or the classic “starving artist.” But perhaps a kind of compromise is possible for folks outside those categories. And the compromise is to seek a life path, if not dominated by the expression of Fantasy, is at least tolerant of it.

When I entered the job market 50 odd years ago those kinds of opportunities existed primarily in academia and so I followed my father’s footprints into the university classroom. And while I might have done some things differently - maybe design instead of Communication and media - it was a good choice. I have not followed the job market for many a year now, however some online videos - check out Curiosity Stream - seem to indicate that corporate America has become more friendly to folks with artistic, creative inclinations. Could be that today’s artists might find worlds more tolerant of Fantasy that could actually pay the rent. Probably worth the search. There will always be attics available for starving artists 🤪.