Benedict Cumberbatch reads Sol LeWitt's letter to Eva Hesse

Letters Live

26 Sept 201606:09

Summary

TLDRIn 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.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Artistic Struggle and Encouragement

The speaker addresses Eva, acknowledging the passage of time since her last correspondence and the emotional turmoil she might be experiencing. They recognize her dislike for her current state but reassure her that her work is of high quality, describing it as 'clean, clear, but crazy like machines.' The speaker encourages Eva to embrace her unique humor and to create freely without concern for societal norms or expectations. They advise her to not worry about grand life decisions or conforming to any specific style, but to simply create. The speaker also suggests that Eva should attempt to do 'bad' work to see what happens, implying that there is value in exploring different avenues of creativity. They empathize with Eva's struggles, sharing their own experiences of self-doubt and the desire to constantly improve. The speaker concludes by expressing admiration for Eva's work and urging her to have confidence in her abilities.

05:02

🌟 Creative Evolution and Upcoming Events

In the second paragraph, the speaker continues to encourage Eva to push creative boundaries and to shock herself with her own work, suggesting that she has the power to do anything. They express a desire to see Eva's work and mention an upcoming show at Daniel's gallery from May 4th to 29th, indicating that they have changed and improved their own work since Eva last saw it. The speaker also mentions the impressive new works at Lucey's, particularly those with more rigorous form. They ask Eva to keep them updated on her shows and share news about their own life, ending the paragraph on a personal and hopeful note.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Agony

Agony refers to intense physical or emotional pain. In the script, it is used to describe the mental and emotional turmoil the recipient is experiencing due to self-doubt and the pressure to create meaningful work. The agony is portrayed as a driving force behind the individual's creative process, pushing them to achieve more despite the pain it causes.

💡Nonsense

Nonsense, in this context, refers to ideas or creations that defy logic or conventional sense. The speaker encourages the recipient to embrace 'nonsense' in their work, suggesting that it can lead to more authentic and original creations. This concept is used to encourage the recipient to let go of societal expectations and create freely.

💡Insecurity

Insecurity is a feeling of uncertainty or fear about one's abilities or self-worth. The script mentions the recipient's insecurity about their work, which is a common theme for artists and creators. It is portrayed as a hindrance that the recipient needs to overcome to fully express their creativity.

💡Purpose

Purpose refers to the reason for which something exists or is done. The script discusses the pressure to find a clear purpose or direction in one's work and life. It suggests that sometimes the search for purpose can be overwhelming, and it might be more beneficial to simply create without overthinking the end goal.

💡Anxiety

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. The script acknowledges the recipient's anxiety, which is often a companion to creativity. The speaker advises the recipient to channel this anxiety into their work as a means of expression and release.

💡Creativity

Creativity is the use of imagination or original ideas to create something; inventiveness. The script emphasizes the importance of creativity, suggesting that the recipient should not limit themselves by conforming to preconceived ideas but should instead explore their own unique creative vision.

💡Self-doubt

Self-doubt is the lack of confidence in oneself or one's abilities. The script reflects on the recipient's self-doubt, which is a common obstacle for artists. It is presented as something that the recipient must learn to overcome in order to progress in their work.

💡Expression

Expression refers to the act of conveying thoughts or feelings in words, music, art, etc. The script talks about using art as a form of expression, particularly for the recipient's fears and anxieties. It is suggested that expressing these emotions can be cathartic and lead to more profound work.

💡Confidence

Confidence is the belief in one's own abilities. The script discusses the importance of having confidence in one's work, even when it feels difficult or when the work is not immediately recognized by others. Confidence is portrayed as a key factor in overcoming self-doubt and achieving creative success.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility refers to the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over others. In the script, the speaker tells the recipient that they are only responsible for their work, not for the world or the opinions of others. This concept is used to encourage the recipient to focus on their own creative process without external pressures.

💡Art

Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination. The script uses the term 'art' to discuss the recipient's work and the broader themes of creativity and self-expression. Art is presented as a medium through which the recipient can explore their feelings, ideas, and identity.

Highlights

Encouragement to stop overthinking and worrying.

Permission to take a break from societal expectations.

Acknowledgment of the struggle and the need for personal space.

Praise for Eva's work, despite her self-doubt.

Advice to embrace 'nonsense' and creativity in art.

Encouragement to draw from personal humor and inner world.

Suggestion to create without fear of judgment.

Recommendation to try creating 'bad' work to break creative barriers.

Advice to relax and let go of perfectionism.

Emphasis on the freedom of art without conforming to preconceived ideas.

Support for the idea that one's work should not be a punishment.

Understanding of the agonizing reappraisal process in art.

The necessity of pushing through creative pain for growth.

The importance of confidence in one's own work.

The idea that one should not justify their work to themselves.

The need to empty the mind before creating.

The concept of viewing one's work objectively over time.

The impact of the recipient's work on the speaker's own art.

The anticipation of seeing Eva's work in person.

An update on the speaker's upcoming art show.