PROCESS IS ART

As artists we're aware that a crucial part of creating the work is actually creating the work, the process. For some artists the process is the only concept and the end product can be whatever it is. But for others the process simply the journey to the final product. This got me thinking about how we are trained to think in today's world.

Growing up the most important part was the grade on the test. It wasn't about what you learned as much as how that one letter could prove to the world that you studied well this time. The studying part was the torture, no one liked studying. But studying was the process to getting that final product that we all really desired.

This can go into other things as well, like shopping. Everyone shops. But rarely does a person actually go and think "Hey I bet these chips (or beer or really ANYTHING) were made in a really interesting factory..." The process isn't important at all, but the end product is all that matters. (Some people like to make their own food or beer or chairs and that's great. Seriously, we need more people willing to create their own items.) But have you actually been to a factory that makes potato chips? or a Brewery? It's AMAZING.

Sadly, I think most people don't really care how something is made and they only care about the end result. These people will never be artists, or understand the thought process of an artist. The process is what gives the final result meaning. Yes, sometimes when we are creating something we think of this amazing end product and that's all we want to achieve. But we forget that sometimes the human parts, or the little mistakes and tweaks that we get while struggling to make it how we want make it give the result that extra hint of amazing.

So what do I think? I think we all should take a trip and visit a nearby factory and go on a tour. It doesn't even matter what it is, just figure out how exactly this thing is made and the precision and labor that goes into it. You'd be surprised how many factories actually host tours and a lot of them are free. Visit www.factorytoursusa.com or just google it. (TIP: Beer breweries sometimes give out free samples)

Let this experience allow you to see things differently and appreciate the process a little more.