Life and trials

"I have always sought to be understood and, while I was taken to task by critics or colleagues, I thought they were right, assuming I had not been clear enough to be understood. This assumption allowed me to work my whole life without hatred and even without bitterness toward criticism, regardless of its source. I counted solely on the clarity of expression of my work to gain my ends. Hatred, rancor, and the spirit of vengeance are useless baggage to the artist. His road is difficult enough for him to cleanse his soul of everything which could make it more so." -Henri Matisse

I try to use that quote every day as a guide, but sometimes I question whether it is possible for the intentions behind our actions to speak louder than the voice of *public opinion*. Obviously this question doesn't really matter to Matisse where it concerns his work, but how far does that go when applied to life? Can you simply ignore the input of critics and colleagues at every turn, hoping at some point to be clear enough to convince them all of your worth?

The clearest example of this question that I can give here, and this is only because it's the one I used the last time I talked about this with anyone, is one of a Playboy model ... hear me out.

There's a stereotype at work here - the one of the woman who agrees to have herself photographed in seductive poses, with not so much as a thread keeping ones imagination at bay, because she feels that it will empower women, that it somehow proves some sort of dominion the female form has over a man's brain. Maybe that's true. Maybe.

Something tells me that an overwhelming percentage of the men who look at the pictures when they're published simply won't care. They will objectify her and they will assign her value based on their imaginary ideals for her. Her opinion as to what the photos represent never even enters their minds. So, at this point, have her intentions been trumped by public opinion, or do they matter so long as she chooses to apply worth to them?

It's not her fault. Maybe pornography is just not the best place for a woman to assert herself and attempt to prove, well, anything. Or, maybe, by the standards of Henry Matisse, she should just keep trying, becoming more and more focused on the clarity of her statement with each pass. Of course, in my example, this puts her out of a job thereby eliminating her ability to continue to make an impact ... kind of like the snake that's eating itself ... Ouroboros.

Well, I'm not sure any of this makes sense, but I gave it a shot. It's a little late to get in to edits at this point.