“In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations, the new needs friends… Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere.” ~ Anton Ego (voiced by Peter O’Toole) in Ratatouille (2007), written by Brad Bird
While on vacation in Florida, my brother-in-law pointed out this quote to me. I had seen Ratatouille before though had not paid this quote nearly the credit it deserves. If someone covered the attribution, I would have assumed a seasoned journalist as its writer. The gorgeous language, the lament, the honesty, and then the sense of purpose have an eloquence and dignity to them. I want to make t-shirts with this quote on them. I will certainly paste it up at my desk.
The new, indeed, needs friends. Supporters. Believers. People who can let go of past ideas and conceptions in favor of something different and out of the ordinary. They must step away from the safe, sure bet, and make their way out to the ledge to join the artist who had the courage to go it alone with only his imagination as his guide. Critics and artists alike earn their true credit out there on that ledge together.
Great artists can come from elite pedigree schools and backgrounds – critics often hold up those examples as the pinnacle of high art. As Brad Bird sees it, a great artist could just as easily come from any far-reaching corner of the globe, no training even required, only friends. An artist needs vision and the ability to bear out her ideas for the world to witness and critique. Making art, putting our hearts on our sleeves and inviting others to view them takes conviction, confidence, and bravery. Artists do and must throw caution to the wind. Their pallets may consist of paints, brushes, pens, computer design programs, clay, performance abilities, and a variety of other tools. The medium does not determine greatness. What makes a great artist, and also a great critic, is the unquenchable desire to make and remake, to believe that their greatest work and their greatest discoveries always lie ahead.
My brother-in-law, Kyle Waldrep, painted the image above. Visit his art blog here.
Christa Avampato 