It always seems to be the way, doesn’t it?
You see someone making really interesting things, creating stuff that catches your eye, and then bam! The focus shifts. Suddenly, it’s not just about their work, is it? Nope. People gotta know the whole story, especially who they’re with. It’s like a reflex action for some.
I had a taste of this years back, when I was trying to make a go of it writing for a small local publication. We were supposed to be highlighting local talent, you know, artists, crafters, small business folks. The idea was good, but the execution, well, that was another story. My editor at the time, she had this obsession with what she called the ‘juicy details’.
I remember this one assignment vividly. It was about a ceramicist, an older gentleman who made these incredibly delicate pieces. Truly beautiful work. He was a quiet man, very reserved, and clearly just wanted his art to speak for itself. But trying to get that across to my editor was like hitting a brick wall. All she wanted to know was about his personal life. “Is he married? Divorced? Any drama there? We need something to hook people!” she’d say. It felt so disrespectful.
I’d submit my drafts, focusing on his technique, the inspiration behind his forms, the decades of dedication. And back they’d come, covered in red ink: “WHERE’S THE PERSONAL ANGLE?” “MORE ON HIS BACKGROUND!” It got to the point where I dreaded those assignments. It felt like we weren’t celebrating these people’s achievements; we were just rummaging through their private lives for entertainment. It really soured me on that kind of journalism, if you can even call it that.
- It’s like the actual skill, the work itself, isn’t enough anymore.
- There has to be a ‘story’ behind the story, even if it’s not relevant.
So, whenever I see this intense curiosity about who creative people are partnered with, it just brings all that back. I often wonder, does knowing these details truly enrich our understanding of their art? Or is it just a distraction, a way to feel closer to people whose lives seem more glamorous than our own? I tend to think it’s mostly the latter. Their real story, their soul, is in what they create, not who they share their morning coffee with.
That whole experience with the local paper, it made me think a lot. I actually ended up walking away from that gig. Couldn’t square it with myself, prying like that. I realized I’d much rather just engage with the work someone puts out into the world. Less noise, more substance. That’s my take on it, anyway. People are complicated enough without us trying to turn their private lives into public property.
