The biggest of all illusions
I was an advocate and admirer of an idea called l'art pour l'art long before I even knew what this was. Even today, I feel that there is nothing more dignified than trying to pursue art primarily for the art's sake and the joy and fulfillment derived from creative work. However, when you dedicate your effort and time, sometimes even a whole life to something, it's only natural to hope for some kind of recognition and reward. Unfortunately, things don't work exactly like that; nowadays maybe more than ever before.
It's disheartening to know that most people take art and artists for granted, especially those unaffirmed. Maybe they think this isn't something “serious” and demanding compared to the other professions. Or they tend to associate art with entertainment, the object and motive of which are themselves.
The sad fact is that art tends to lie pretty low in the priorities of a common person. Everyone needs a doctor, lawyer, builder, salesperson, and so on and they're willing to pay them as much as it takes. On the other hand, there are not that many who deeply care about art nor they're willing to invest a lot of their time let alone money to appreciate it. Long gone are the times of Maecenas and patrons of undiscovered artists. Today it's all about YouTube. If you do not meet a certain quota or the people don't appreciate your work, they always have something else to click on.
Looking at my example, I often feel like a regular Don Quixote. On the one hand, I'm well aware of my talent, quality, and potential; everything I've achieved thus far while developing my musical skills. Even with the aggravating circumstance of pursuing primarily instrumental music. However, the type of music I compose and produce most often isn't that difficult to listen or get close to. It might even be a "commercial" type of instrumental music. On the other hand, I'm completely alone in this. I don't have formal training or the support of academia. I don't have an established record label behind me or a skilled and experienced manager. Lastly, trying to make ends meet only with music, I cannot afford to pay for a more serious promotion.
Some would say: "Wait, what's your problem? You have the Internet!" F**k Internet. For unaffirmed artists, the Internet is the biggest illusion of all. With everything you can do online these days, you can still "make it big" only if someone influential gives you a good push or a financial boost. I'm sick of all those sermons that the Internet opens any door if you learn to think like an entrepreneur. Frankly, I don't want to be an entrepreneur, even though I'm hoping for some tangible rewards for my work. But you can't do everything yourself, let alone be good at everything. I'm not ashamed to admit that I need help with something.
I often wonder what would celebrated artists from yesteryear, whose work I follow and respect, do if they had nothing else than the Internet to rely on. People like Vangelis, Morricone, Oldfield, Kitaro, etc. Would they embrace the "fact" that you must put in all your effort and time trying to sell your work to someone or imposing yourself through social media? After everything you've been through while developing your skills and work? I sincerely doubt it.
I think that it's almost impossible to make peace between art and business, especially if you're living for the first one. Thinking like a businessman (woman) or a salesperson just isn't compatible with the art itself and creative freedom. But this doesn't mean that talented and creative people shouldn't be adequately recognized and rewarded for their work, even those unaffirmed and unknown to the general public. Unfortunately, this still largely depends on luck and a big help from the side. With or without the Internet.