Benedict Cumberbatch reads Sol LeWitt's letter to Eva Hesse
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
- π‘ Embrace your creativity, even if it feels nonsensical or unconventional.
- π¨ Push yourself to create more and explore your weird humor and unique ideas.
- π« Don't worry about conforming to expectations or preconceived ideas; create your own 'uncool.'
- π If you feel anxious or afraid, channel those emotions into your work rather than worrying about them.
- π― You don't need to find a grand purpose or deep meaning in your work; just focus on doing it.
- π Stop tormenting yourself and overthinking. Your work is good even if you donβt always see it.
- πͺ Trust in your ability and challenge yourself by trying new, outrageous things.
- π§ After completing a piece of work, let it go and avoid obsessing over its success or failure.
- π Sometimes itβs good to step back and evaluate your progress, but don't let it paralyze you.
- π 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
π¨ 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.
π 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
π‘Agony
π‘Nonsense
π‘Insecurity
π‘Purpose
π‘Anxiety
π‘Creativity
π‘Self-doubt
π‘Expression
π‘Confidence
π‘Responsibility
π‘Art
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.
Transcripts
[Applause]
dear Eva April 14th almost a month since
you wrote to me and you have possibly
forgotten your state of mind I doubted
though seen the same as always and being
you hate every minute of it don't learn
to say you to the world every once
in a while you have every right to just
stop thinking worrying looking over your
shoulder wondering doubting fearing
hurting hoping for some easy way out
struggling grasp and confusing itching
scratching mumbling bumbling grumbling
humbling stumbling numb bling rambling
gambling tumbling scumbling scrambling
hitching hatching bitching moaning
groaning honing boning horse
hair splitting nitpicking piss trickling
no sticking a scowl geing eyeball poking
finger pointing alleyway sneaking long
waiting small steppin evil eyeing back
scratching searching purging besmirching
grinding grinding grinding away yourself
stop it and just do
from your description for what I know of
your previous work and your ability the
work you were doing sounds very good
drawing clean clear but crazy like
machines larger and bolder real nonsense
that sounds fine wonderful real nonsense
do more more nonsensical more crazy more
machines more breasts penises
whatever make them abound with nonsense
try to tickle something inside you
you're weird humor you belong in the
most secret part of you don't worry
about cool make your own uncool make
your own make your own world if you fear
make it work for you draw and paint your
fear and anxiety and stop worrying about
big deep things such as to decide on a
purpose and way of life a consistent
approach to even some impossible end or
even an unimaginative being stupid dumb
unthinking empty then you will be able
to do and much confidence in you and
even though you are tormenting yourself
the work you do is very good try to do
something bad try to do some bad work
the worst thing you could think of to
see what happens but mainly relax and
let everything go to hell you are not
responsible for the world you're only
responsible for your work so just do it
don't think that your work has to
conform to any preconceived idea for
more flavor it can be anything you want
it to be but if life would be easier for
you if you stopped working to stop don't
punish yourself however I think that
this is so deeply ingrained in you that
it would be better for you to do it
seems I do understand your attitude
somewhat anyway because I go through a
similar process every now and again
myself
I have an agonizing reappraisal of my
work and change everything as much as
possible and hate everything I've done
and tried to do something entirely
different and better and maybe that kind
of process isn't necessary to me pushing
me on and on and well the feeling that I
could do better than that I just
did maybe you need your agony to
accomplish what you do and maybe it
goads you want to do better but it's
very painful I know it would be better
if you had the confidence just to do the
stuff and not even think about it can't
you leave the world and art alone also
quit fondling your ego I know that you
or anyone can only work so much and the
rest of the time you are left with your
thoughts but when you work or before you
work you have to empty your mind and
concentrate on what you were doing after
you do something it is done and that's
that after a while you can see some
better than others but also you can see
what direction you're going sure you
know all that you also must know that
you don't have to justify your work not
even to yourself well you know I admire
your work greatly and can't understand
why you are so bothered by it but you
can see the next ones and I can't you
also must believe in your ability I
think you do so try the most outrageous
things you can shock yourself you have
at your power the ability to do anything
I'd like to see your work and we'll have
to be content to wait until August of
summer Tom's new things at lucey's
they're very impressive especially the
ones with more rigorous form the simpler
ones I guess it will send some more
later on let me know how the shows are
going and that kind of stuff my work has
changed as you left and it's much better
I will be having a show May 4th to 29th
the Daniel's gallery 72 East and 64th
Street where Emmerich was I wish you
could be there much left you both saw
you
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