Bright Lights, Big Internet and Big Breaks

[Marc Pease]

As Bill Wasik notes, NYC is a changed place, welcoming the experimental viral blow-up through the Internet because that's where now and " in which our most influential conversations transpire." Young people still come to the Big Apple to find their dreams and success don't they? Bill agrees that the cost of living and price of continuing the New York state of mind seeking that break is more and more moving online. J.Parker sides with Bill commenting NYC is tough on artists trying to make it today with the galleries closing emphasizing that, "life is easier almost everywhere but in the five boroughs, and now, thanks to the web, ideas, trends, patrons and other artists can be found anywhere."
Two key points from Bill which are engaging are that through the Internet the distribution to a wider audience - to make that break - is reasonable ( "cost of living is cheap") and "more important , the opportunities for attention are plentiful ". Monetization may change the cost element for the starving creative young artist, but as Sam comments, " he's glad his daughter has a way "IN" that doesn't require a traumatizing initiation by a awful creative director or even a arts commissioner gatekeeper." Yes, some of us that are older remember the gatekeepers for jobs, as Bill references as the "intimate encouragement" that set the course for whole careers. Those lucky breaks, foot in the door, right place at the right time, or a friend of a friend. I really don't think that has changed and may never, but seamless connectivity with the Internet to a popular " hive mind" pack that sees and forwards your content around instantly can provide that sought-after break for an audience and hopefully more.
I remember my first NYC experience. Actually it was on the way into the city at a tollway station about thirty miles east, thumbing a ride. The NY State Police just couldn't figure out why a young guy was carrying a video camera and shoulder deck and a pack. "Did you take that from a news station in the city or rob one of those new high technology stores?",one officer asked. Guess I could have used Henry Crawfords comment on Wasik back then; "means of production in the arts is now in the hands of the people, professionalism is really sort of uncool." Would have gone over with my 70's long hair and a question to them about NYC Ballet's new dance troope.
The microcelebrity of Wasik is on track with the Internet's audience right away avenues, even in New York. As some of the elder residents responded, it's not just young creators moving to NYC that are becoming artists engaging new audiences via the web. I would support Bill broadening his scope from the pure art envisioned by Vitamin_i, " maybe people will stop spending money on trinkets now and seek out more nourishing cultural experiences." This is where arts, culture and the web can truly shine in NYC or anywhere and I hope that Bill expands his uses of public space and the future of the public sphere for the dissemination of young creative talent and their works.