Benedict Cumberbatch reads Sol LeWitt's letter to Eva Hesse

Summary

In this heartfelt letter, the author encourages Eva to embrace her creative process without fear of judgment or the need for a specific purpose. They praise her work as 'real nonsense' and urge her to create more boldly, without worrying about societal expectations or her own self-doubt. The author empathizes with Eva's struggles, sharing their own experiences with creative agonizing and the drive to constantly improve. They advise Eva to let go of the pressure to conform and to simply create, trusting in her abilities and the value of her unique artistic voice.

Takeaways

• 💡 Embrace your creativity, even if it feels nonsensical or unconventional.
• 🎨 Push yourself to create more and explore your weird humor and unique ideas.
• 🚫 Don't worry about conforming to expectations or preconceived ideas; create your own 'uncool.'
• 🙌 If you feel anxious or afraid, channel those emotions into your work rather than worrying about them.
• 🎯 You don't need to find a grand purpose or deep meaning in your work; just focus on doing it.
• 🛑 Stop tormenting yourself and overthinking. Your work is good even if you don’t always see it.
• 💪 Trust in your ability and challenge yourself by trying new, outrageous things.
• 🧠 After completing a piece of work, let it go and avoid obsessing over its success or failure.
• 👀 Sometimes it’s good to step back and evaluate your progress, but don't let it paralyze you.
• 📅 There's a desire to see more of your work, especially new pieces, and a show is planned in May.

Q & A

What is the main concern expressed by Eva in the letter?

Eva expresses concern over the recipient's state of mind and their self-doubt, suggesting that they have the right to stop overthinking and worrying.

What advice does Eva give regarding the recipient's work?

Eva advises the recipient to continue their work, even if it seems nonsensical or crazy, and to embrace their unique humor and creativity.

Why does Eva suggest that the recipient should not worry about conforming to preconceived ideas?

Eva believes that the recipient's work should not be confined by expectations, allowing for more freedom and authenticity in their creative process.

What does Eva mean by 'real nonsense' in the context of the recipient's work?

Eva refers to 'real nonsense' as the recipient's unique and possibly absurd creative output, which she finds to be of high quality and encouraging.

How does Eva suggest the recipient deal with their fear and anxiety?

Eva suggests that the recipient should express their fear and anxiety through their work, using it as a form of release and not worrying about big, deep issues.

What does Eva mean when she tells the recipient to 'try to do something bad'?

Eva is encouraging the recipient to experiment with their work, even if it results in what they consider to be bad or poor quality, to see what happens and to break free from self-imposed constraints.

Why does Eva believe that the recipient should not punish themselves?

Eva thinks that the recipient is too hard on themselves and should not be punishing themselves for their work, as it is a deeply ingrained part of their nature and may be necessary for their creativity.

What is the significance of Eva's mention of her own agonizing reappraisal of work?

Eva shares her own experiences of reevaluating her work to show empathy and to suggest that such processes might be necessary for growth and pushing oneself to do better.

What does Eva mean by 'empty your mind' in the context of working?

Eva advises the recipient to clear their mind of distractions and focus solely on the task at hand, which can help improve the quality and authenticity of their work.

What does Eva admire about the recipient's work?

Eva admires the recipient's work greatly, particularly the pieces with more rigorous form and simplicity, and she cannot understand why the recipient is so bothered by their own creations.

What upcoming event does Eva mention in the letter?

Eva mentions an upcoming show at Daniel's gallery from May 4th to 29th, where she will be exhibiting her work and wishes the recipient could be there.