Thursday, April 19, 2012
World War I Era Discussion Question 2
During the first two decades of the 20th Century, increased availability of goods and ideas from around the world gave artists accessibility to the world outside of where they lived. New technology was making communication faster and more widespread as well. Did you experience increased financial security in this era that allowed you to create new works of art? Was financial security necessary in order to be an artist?
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ReplyDeleteI, as an artist, completely believe that you do not require financial security to make art. However, having the support of monetary reliability is very beneficial to your own livelihood. I was not a rich man when I began acting, but I was not a destitute have-not. I was able to support myself through school and when I returned from the Western Front. As for increased financial security, there was very little. Being a German did not help, as our country paid heavily in reparations to many countries following World War One.
ReplyDeleteI most definitely agree with Mr. Schreck. I, myself, did not grow up with much financial support. Mother did what she could but it was without the help of my father. I believe my experiences without money really made me a grateful and understanding person. In fact, if my family had not been poor I highly doubt we would have gotten into acting. Financial support may be a helpful thing to have when you pursue the arts but it is not a necessity.
ReplyDeleteLillian Gish.
I was going to mention the fact that I admire Ms. Gish's perseverance through troubled times and still, against the odds, was able to succeed. She is an absolutely wonderful example at how we as artists do not need money to succeed.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr. Schreck. You are too kind!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the both of you all Mr. Schreck and Ms. Gish I was the same way growing up. My parents did what they could for me in you read in my interview i sad i thank my parents for getting me where i am today but I also think that God was apart of the technology in communication today.
DeleteMs. Gish. Is it strange that no one else invited has been present at this dinner? Maybe we could go visit that table over there with Ms. O'Keefe?
ReplyDeleteYes, come on over, the more the merrier!!!
DeleteThank you very much Mr. Schreck! I believe you are a wonderful artist too.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWell I don't believe you need money to make it as an artist. All I had was my mother when we moved to New York. I was discovered when I was fifteen and a few years later I was on Braodway. True the man who discovered me had money...and when I died I was broke and a nobody.On second thought maybe you do need money to be successful. I mean I was at my greatest when I had money. You may not need it but it sure could be useful.
ReplyDelete- Sorry for not coming sooner. I wanted to get a drink before I arrived.
Ms. Lorraine, I see your point but I strongly disagree. I am a very successful artist and I have never been "rich".
ReplyDeleteAs was I, I lost almost all of my money when F.W. Murnua was sued for Nosferatu.
ReplyDeleteIt seems you two missed the last sentence of my last response. I said it isn't needed but it sure can be helpful. I mean having money gives you the chance to be perfect. I had money an I was ( am ) perfect
ReplyDelete* and
DeleteAh, yes Ms. Lorraine, I am at fault here. I am positive that any one person can become something more than they already are. Money may be very helpful, but why do we need it when all that is desired is determination?
ReplyDeleteNothing else is needed. If you have passion and determination you can succeed. I promise, I'm living proof of this.
ReplyDeleteDidn't you die in 1993?
DeleteDie? What is this thing you speak of?
DeleteI am just saying it is helpful. Not needed. Ms. Gish you said you are living proof. That just means that you are one of the lucky ones. That is all. So you and Mr. Schreck just have a drink. I've had several.
ReplyDeleteWell, madam. I suppose we shall!
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of you lovely artists that I am joining tonight. As many of you have mentioned you do not have to be "rich" in order to be a good artist and personally I do not believe that financial security is a necessity. But even though I was not "rich" I am thankful that I went to school and was noticed there for my true talent and not faulted for my lack of money.
ReplyDeleteIf we were put at odds for lack of money, the rich would be the entertainers. I doubt any of us would appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteWell, in the times that we were all growing up only a select few were "rich". So, truly, we are all living proof that you do not need money to be an artist or to be influential.
DeleteI agree with Mr. Schreck and Ms. Gish that it would not have been our ideal choice for the less fortunate to entertain us but I do believe that If you are talented enough, your background should not matter. As both of you just recently mentioned.
ReplyDeleteFinancial security in your family is a very good thing to have in order to be succesful in anything that you do, however, if you are a good enough artist, you can create your own financial security. I grew up in a middle-class home, but all of the money I have, I have earned myself. If you put enough time and effort into what you do, being an achitect, actor or painter, you will be succesful. I believe that if you have enough passion in your art, you will end up having financial security.
ReplyDeleteMr. Crane makes a wonderful point! I am so glad you have joined our dinner table. Now, may I ask you all, how was your financial stability after you became artists? Did it improve, get worse, or stay the same?
ReplyDeleteOnce I made my big break, I actually was less stable. This is probably just because of the fact that I was sued in immense amounts after Nosferatu. Of course, I leveled out, as did everyone else that worked on that film with me.
ReplyDeleteWell if you don't mind me asking what was your mental state when you were sued?
DeleteI had no idea you were sued Mr. Schreck. What for, if I may ask?
DeleteMentally? I felt very cheated, of course! I put more effort in that film than I had in any other. I wanted to leave a mark, and I did not want to offend Bram Stoker's Estate. I knew going in that we might get in a bind, but I truly wanted just to immortalize Dracula, or some creature like him, on film.
DeleteWe were sued, Ms. Gish, for infringement upon Mr. Bram Stoker's work of Dracula.
DeleteFor those of weak minds, infringement means a breach or infraction, as of a law.
DeleteTo answer your question, Ms. Gish, I definatly improved my financial stability after becaming an Architect. I felt good about being able to take care of myself on my own. I am thankful that no one sued me like they did to you, Mr. Schreck.
ReplyDeleteHow was your financial stability impacted after you became a successful artist Mamie?
Well look at us. Having a thoughtful conversation with our own thoughts and ideas yet being respectful. If only the world could follow our lead.
ReplyDeleteThen everyone would be a sheep, in a world of shepherds. We cannot always follow, especially us artists. We don't feel in any way obligated to follow, we are much too stubborn.
ReplyDeleteMr. Schreck I don't believe you are understanding me. I only mean that I wish the world was just as understanding and accepting as we are.
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ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late but I can't say that I had an increase in financial security during this time but I also can't say that I had a decrease neither. During this time I was located in Rome where I created portraits of family and friends being I was a newelywed and was celebrating my new marriage at the time. Financial security is very important when you're a new artist, being a new artist can empty your pockets fast and you'll need something to fall back on. But financial security isn't always necessary , you can find so many ways to created without spending so much money on supplies. You can create absolutely beautiful art with just a pencil and a piece of paper !
ReplyDeleteMr. Picasso I can relate to this completely. Also being a visual artist I can say that honestly if you are talented enough money and society shouldn't matter and like you said its really just a pencil and a piece of paper!
DeleteI agree with you! We must break from the flock!
ReplyDeleteWell after I became a successful artist my financial support came from all the gigs that I got paid for my record company really helped me get there
ReplyDeleteThat is quite interesting. How was your well being during this time?
ReplyDeleteIf only I could create great pieces of art with only a pencil as you have, Mr. Picasso.
ReplyDeleteMr. Schreck you are no slouch in your talent.
ReplyDeleteI too wish I could create great peices of art with just a peice of paper and a penil, but I think that there is a lot more than just thoughs two things that will allow you to reach finanacial security. I believe that both you and I, Mr. Picasso, can relate in the fact that the drawings that we do, that being a famous painting or an Architectual drawing, takes time and involves due process before it can be called "A Masterpiece".
ReplyDelete