Do You Know Any 'Tortured' Artists?

[bogey_j]

I know this writer chick who's influenced by the likes of edgar allen poe, burroughs, bukowski, etc. (the real self-destructive type) and its almost as if she brags about the mental disorders she has and the amount of medication she has to take everyday. She thinks she has to be messed up to create great art. Though I do think there is a link between madness and creativity, its like having something wrong with you has become its own chic nowadays and thats lame. I mean, I'm {censored}ed up, but I dont want to be or chose to be, and I'm certainly not gonna brag about it.

[panther_king]

What does a person who has nothing to brag about brag about?

 

Why, having nothing to brag about, or course.

[gorebuc]

Its been chic since the Romantic era, when Goethe wrote "The Sorrows of Young Werther," which idealizes the belief of being "too sensitive for this world"---and was responsible for a rash of teenage suicides in Europe. The British Romantics privileged the state of melancholy as one of inspiration and certain American Romantics, Poe being one, were definitely in touch with the darkness of the human soul.

 

I would argue that today, most people are "lazy Romantics"--all about individualism and feeling, but lacking the conviction of the first group to follow through on our beliefs.

[scolfax]

I read a psychology article this year about a new-found link between pain and creativity. I just tried to find it but couldn't.

 

No matter how true it is, I think causing pain to bring out creativity on purpose is pretty disgusting.

[mrbrown49]

In my experience those are the people who are more concerned about appearing creative, than actually creating.

[Poltergeist]

 

In my experience those are the people who are more concerned about appearing creative, than actually creating.

 

 

alot of times yes.

[d_dave_c]

 

I would argue that today, most people are "lazy Romantics"--all about individualism and feeling, but lacking the conviction of the first group to follow through on our beliefs.

 

 

I thought 'lazy Romantics' was playing What I Like About You at 60 bpm.

[photon9]

 

In my experience those are the people who are more concerned about appearing creative, than actually creating.

 

 

Mine too. And also pining for attention.

[poolshark]

 

In my experience those are the people who are more concerned about appearing creative, than actually creating.

 

 

Yes and no. I don't know many 'tortured' artists, but of the artists I've known - I don't know that I'd say many, but definitely more than your average bear - the best and most creative have all been f'n weird.

[aenemated]

the best artists i know are pretty rad and upbeat people. the oh-so-melancholy ones i know are a) {censored}ty people to be around b) {censored}ty artists.

[Jkater]

I think having a complexe and even complicated set of emotions might provide for creativity and something to say but depression certainly does not make one very productive or creative.

[ashasha]

Well I'm a pretty upbeat dude with what I consider to be a very positive outlook on life. I have zero creativity.

 

Perhaps I should smash a finger with a hammer and see if I can write a song about it.

 

I do agree that there does seem to be a connection between a lot of troubled people and talent. I mean how many great songwriters died from drugs or went insane from drugs or just lost it along the way? I always thought that there was some kind of outlet or coping method in their art and that sometimes it wasn't enough for them. Whether their pain was legitimate or self imposed I have no idea, but I can see where there would be that perception.

 

Personally I'd rather stay boring and happy than artistic and miserable.

[bsman]

The whole tortured artist thing didn't work out too well for Syd Barrett or Peter Green, IIRC...

[billybilly]

I think it's a cop out and for people who are craving attention. I went through something similar about 25 years ago, when I was young and took myself seriously. It doesn't get you anywhere. Buck up, we are all human beings and equal. We all have pain, don't bask in it. It's easy to see for the bad but brave to see the good.

[JoeBoy]

I only know wounded punks.

[ExiledCrow]

 

In my experience those are the people who are more concerned about appearing creative, than actually creating.

 

 

This. And I DO know some very artistic people with some very real issues but they generally don't flaunt them for everyone except as they're actually expressed through their art, otherwise they're usually trying hard to overcome them as they tend to interfere with what they love to do: the actual creation of art.

[bsman]

Eh -- I've met a few who revel in their (real or perceived) deficits. I figure I'll take the stability, lifestyle and family ties I've got over the intensely creative life in a garret subsisting on drugs and leftovers...

[BlueSky1963]

My impression has always been that the true "mad geniuses" don't really know or feel that they're mad. Or geniuses, for that matter.

[Oldskool Texas]

In my experience, the whole tortured poet/drug addict/alcoholic thing is an affectation, usually cultivated by those who hope to give the appearance of authenticity because they lack it in their art.

[soundcreation]

I think it can happen. There are obvious examples of people who are totally self destructive who create amazing work. Cobain, Morrison, Joplin..etc. But how many of them went out of their way to wear it as a badge? None. It's just who they were.

[Poltergeist]

 

I think it can happen. There are obvious examples of people who are totally self destructive who create amazing work. Cobain, Morrison, Joplin..etc. But how many of them went out of their way to wear it as a badge? None. It's just who they were.

 

 

exactly.

[Doctor49]

 

The whole tortured artist thing didn't work out too well for Syd Barrett or Peter Green, IIRC...

 

 

Apples and oranges. Peter Green was the victim of an acid dose from a "well-meaning fan".

 

For every artist who carries a bag full of pain and creates masterpieces, there are many who do the same while remaining untortured.

[guitarheo3]

i hate those kids that brag about needing meds or having add. stupi 14 year old scene girls. maybe one day they'll grow up

[bogey_j]

 

the best artists i know are pretty rad and upbeat people. the oh-so-melancholy ones i know are a) {censored}ty people to be around b) {censored}ty artists.

 

 

really? the best artists i know are all miserable

[sylvesterlowery]

I don't know any tortured artists personally, but like someone above said, the ones who were "tortured artists" were just being themselves and creating music.

Then there's the ones who spend more time looking and acting the part and drawing attention to their status as a "tortured artist" than actually doing anything of any merit.

Those are the ones that usually don't last. People feel sorry and listen to them for a bit and then realize that it was all an act. Possibly to cover up their lack of creativity.