One was a review of a conversation between both Martha Graham and Agnes deMille. Both were true visionaries, miles ahead of their era who burst more than enough glass ceilings. The story goes that deMille had opened doors of opportunity with her landmark staging of Oklahoma! - which redefined American Musical Theater. All this despite a legacy of such works as Rodeo that had failed to find approval. She found the instant fame "unexpected, flamboyant and bewildering." This sent her into a cycle of doubt - "I had a burning desire to be excellent, but no faith that I could be."
Graham responded back with this profound statement. “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”
Because of both my Virgo tendencies and my perfection nature as an artist, I find myself with some of these very same conflicts. Granted on a much smaller scale than these two! But often torn between reinventing myself, staying true to myself; and knowing the fine line between the two. Moving forward to new work at this point in my age - some of the same old demons will naturally resurface. But I must remind myself to rely on my gut feeling and instinct which are genuine and have gotten me to where I am today. It's just a matter of trust with determination.
No comments:
Post a Comment