September 20, 2014

Caveat Artifex

There is universal agreement about the existence of art in San Miguel: Everybody wants it. But merely as a kind of pleasurable lifestyle accessory and not as a sacred creation to be approached with awe and regarded with reverence. Very few people, it seems, want serious art, art that challenges conformity and provokes thought, art that is soulful, symbolic, and deeply felt. Very few people here are interested in really looking at and contemplating serious art, art that peers through the cracks in our collective psyche. So, if you’re an artist whose work goes beyond “pretty pictures,” don’t be fooled by all the hype about art and the good life in San Miguel and think twice before you move here.