Does Art Need to be Good to be Worth Making?

Clearly, this is a question designed more for contemplation than for answering. However, I find myself struggling to come up with answers and maybe you do as well. Or, maybe you have an answer--one which keeps you from even trying to make something of your own?

Where to start?

First, there's the question of what defines something as art; second, if we can agree that something is art, what makes it good? I'm actually not so interested in defining either term, although I have my opinions. What I'm more interested in is getting makers of all stripes to ask themselves the question--especially those just beginning their journey into the wild forests of creativity.

Is technical perfection a prerequisite for "good art"? I think most people would say that there is a minimum level needed of certain certain techniques that allows one to express themselves as they wish. But technical perfection does not guarantee artistic meaningfulness, so what is it that makes something "good"?

Making

These questions have certainly been asked by others before me, and there is no single answer. My asking is done in order to encourage others not to lose sight of the main goal: the act of "making". I love the looseness of this word. I can joyfully "make" all day, but if I try to intentionally "make art" I may not even have the courage to begin.

As a professional musician I spent hours practicing to control my technique; there's a certain comfort in the certainty of that work, all alone in your practice room. In the end, however, I got the most enjoyment from opening my heart on stage, and then afterwards learning that some invisible, intangible connection was made with certain audience members. It doesn't always work like this; sometimes the performer is not so open but people catch the connection anyway, because they bring a big enough"spark". Other times the performer pours out their energy and it falls like seeds onto stone.

Why should we "make"?

We're not in control of reactions and reception (or the lack thereof) to what we make. If, however, our goal is to be brave and open, we still have the internal experience of connecting with that intangible thing that makes life more beautiful. Even if what we create is deemed "bad" by every other person on earth, if we are truly opening up to that creative power accessible to all--if we're really opening that window and sticking our head out--then we are making something worthwhile. As the buddhist philosophy professes, we all have the potential to be little lights in the world. If we amplify our light, and if the others around us shine their light, the whole world will be illuminated. Let your light shine and create your creations without concern over whether it's "good enough" or deserves to be called "art". Just the act of making is lighting up the world, and that's more than enough.