Arts deadly sins: Lust
Lust is generally seen in sexual terms but for now let us think about it in terms of excessive love for status, celebrity, recognition. Not unlike greed but somehow more flagrant, deceitful, base, shallow. A greedy person can’t help but openly play in the fairground (see my previous post on greed). The sycophant on the other hand hides his desire, his lust behind a lurching smile, over blown enthusiasm, ardent handshakes, eager back slaps and frenzied applause. Yes, the toad is alive and well in the arts, always looking to better himself off the backs of others or at the very least striving to be seen in a better light by associating himself with those that have what he lacks; talent, success, influence, status.
The toad doesn’t lust after people – a mere means to an end – no, no, no the toad is only interested in being recognised as a great artist, pioneer, innovator, uber – producer, director, genius but is so lacking in self – belief, confidence, worth, so consumed by his own inadequacies and failings that he reduces himself to success by association. That is the goal, the objective of the toad. But then, perhaps we are all toads. Perhaps the arts is just a stagnant pond in which we all endlessly play this lustful game, looking around, nodding in assent, smiling, forming groups, alliances, dalliances in the vain hope that the next big thing, the next sensation will happen on our patch, our lily pad and extension make us ‘the special one’ for a day, if only, just for a day
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