by Blood of a Poet on Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:21 pm
Post by javier on Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:22 pm
in the mid 1990s I could hardly have imagined the community of friends in my life at that time. A mixed collection of DJs, musicians, yoga and alternative therapists, artists and scientists. Some were professional 9-5 workers while others were night owls or lived more bohemian lifestyles. With a large shared house, there was never a shortage of conversation, energy, new friends-of-friends dropping by.
What kept things "solid" was the common interests and related interests, and shared outlook - from music and clubs, to self-improvement and an open, (in general) caring lifestyle. Everyone seemed to revel in helping everyone else.
20 years later, and of course things are different. Many are married with families, others have moved to new countries to begin new chapters in their lives, some took on more traditional careers and lifestyles, and a few are still partying and clubbing on a regular basis.
I may not share daily warmth and conversation with those people anymore, but I value the memories and simply accept that their choices and mine no longer align. I don't criticize them, I have no right to do that. One guy, for example, has become a political activist dedicated to things with which I disagree. But I don't criticize him, I accept he is following his own path, because he believes in it. And he owes me nothing. And I still value and am grateful for the friendship we shared years ago.
Any relationship, platonic or otherwise, is like this. It changes over time. The relationship between friends who have been married 15 years looks very different today than back then. And as our tastes change, and our life circumstances change, and our influences change it is inevitable that our paths diverge.
And although we can look back at past periods and how ideal they seemed, we certainly don't want them anymore. Sure, we can feel a tinge of melancholy as our current social scene may not be as eclectic or vibrant as then. Or occasionally long for that buzz of excitement at the overall sense of community and adventure. But that was then and this is now.
I loved the 3-day parties and unpredictable adventures we'd have and spontaneous trips we'd take in those responsibility-free times. I often have the thought that I'd love to have that again now!
But the truth is I wouldn't, because I have other things to do now, so many great things in life that didn't exist back then, new priorities, different interests, and I definitely don't want the hassle of the 2 days after-party recovery!
And that applies equally to our relationship with an artist and their work. Influences, styles, priorities, interests, beliefs, abilities, circumstances change. So their work changes. And so too our own tastes may change. That's not bad, or good, it's just the nature of things.
We might look back with fond memories at how things used to be compared to the present, but have no right to complain about the artists' choices. It's their life.
If their fans are still interested, they will follow. If not, they won't. And new fans, like new friends, will come. Or not. It's simple really.
Postby kitaj on Wed Sep 18, 2013 4:53 am
you've said it all and said it well, Javier.
Postby natsume on Wed Sep 18, 2013 7:35 am
Thank you Javier.
Brilliant Trees came out the summer I turned 16, and I had only been exposed to Japan for about two years prior to that. I was extremely fascinated by the change, the shift from Tin Drum to BT in such a short time. I have, happily for me, extremely eclectic tastes in many areas, and I am sure witnessing this change with Sylvian was influential in this regard. He taught me that with him, expect the unexpected. I have been happy to follow his path since that time, I am always interested in what he does. I don't like all of it, but that doesn't matter. Integrity has never been lost.
~ Blood of a Poet ~