Lobotomy Lab: Cultish Club
Lobotomy Lab: Offering piercing insights into photography
Most people who have attended school or pursued a visual art form on their own have encountered some sort of club or collective. To some these can serve as a form of encouragement and inspiration. To some they are a way to break the droll routines of modern life and maybe meet a few new people you hopefully have something in common with.
I have approached similar photography oriented groups with hopes of finding some similar level of kinship, but never seem to achieved anything approaching that level. Perhaps I expect too much of people, or perhaps my artistic sensibilities are too eccentric for the average casual photographer. Either of those or a number of other flaws that fall solely on my shoulders could be true. But from my observations I suspect many of these groups are by their very nature… not intended to be productive or innovative, to say it as politely as I can.
Looking back I had a series of interactions with a local photo group I will not name for two reasons. 1. they are very small and local so there is almost no-one outside of the city has heard of it. 2. I know several members so they may read this post and will certainly object to my views and resent me for questioning their group. Point two is a big one. From later discussions I found that most of the people in this group were very thin skinned about every thing and overly defensive about the group and all its members even though many did not seem to get along. I found this behavior cultish and very off putting.
I had a few interactions with what we will call ‘club x’ going forward. The main one, and the one that made me guide my efforts away form them was a local art show that was some collaboration between ‘club x’ and the local art association. It was a pay per entry photo show, I entered generally not really in league with anyone or intending to even sell any works (of which the art association took an additional 20% cut and that is after the entry fee). I thought most of the work was amateurish and boring, not to say mine was great but it was very much a local hobby's affair. Despite this ‘club x’ brought in one judge, not at all sure how he was decided to be qualified or why they only had one judge for the 17 awards handed out. Then he proceeded to hand out all manner of award. I think the fact that there were 17 awards was excessive by any standard, and when they were handed out 16 of them went to members of ’club x’ I think every club member save one got at least one award, some got two. The awardees were asked to give a brief speech about their photo and most threw out a technical term or two and a reference to light. Everyone clapped, on the the next award.
The whole event was very unimpressive. The phots were not good, original, ambitious, or well organized. Many photos were not properly matted or were hung in very cheap looking plastic frames, something I really hate. There was almost no discussion on the art or process, I don't even remember anyone asking at ubiquitous “what camera did you use?” The whole event had an aura of malaise that was inescapable and depressing. Everyone there was very very comfortable in the idea they got their award, no hard hitting questions were asked no advice offered. It was a very transactional process, pay the fee get a ribbon. While there was some encouragement I saw no desire to improve or collaborate. No one seemed willing to learn or even ask questions. It was a group set on a track going in one big circle. Similar to one of those children trains you see in malls. There were sights and sounds but no real progress, you got off where you got on. No risky journey through the wild, just a safe ride they could hop off at any time.
After this encounter where the “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours“ nature of the club was on full display, and their seemed to be nothing behind the facade of awards. I decided it was best not to involve myself with this group. To me it was pretty obvious that they did not want to improve, challenge themselves or even work together in a meaningful way, they wanted to be told how great they were. Any question asked or suggested of improvement would be shrugged off at best ore taken as offensive. I do not want to live in a world of delusion surrounded by yes men while riding the same track around and around over and over. To make progress you have to push yourself! You can not rely on external validation. Some times a friend will give you a nudge or a kick in the ass to send your forward but you can not wait for others to pick you up and carry you.
