Hello Friends,
Just before I woke up this morning, I had a bizarre dream. President Trump had started a new weekly television show called I Hate Art. In the first episode he was in a huge indoor swimming pool, wearing a black suit, white shirt and red tie, rambling on and on about why art is worthless and unimportant.
I thought — I can still wear a bikini, and I’m going to be on that show! I’m not sure what I was thinking about the bikini. Maybe I was younger in the dream than I am in real life.
Then I found out that the show was filmed in New York, and I had no way to get there. Maybe this was before airplanes were invented.
Three of my artist friends were in the second episode of the show, and I felt envy. Everyone has the same idea as me! Seeing them there created more urgency for me to find a way to be on that show.
I somehow made it to New York for the third episode, and I was on the show with four other aritsts. With each episode there were an increasing number of artists who appeared on the show, creating more competition between us for air time.
I wasn’t wearing a bikini. I was wearing my paint encrusted painting clothes and looking more like a house painter than an artist. Just as well, because the indoor pool had vanished by then, anyway.
There was one artist who kept interrupting me when it was my turn to talk, and I couldn’t get a word in edgewise. It felt imperative to tell the world that my art is important and has meaning. I had brought some paintings with me, and I wanted to explain that I’m not enslaved to money, sales or what anyone else thinks of my work.
When I finally did get a chance to speak, the signal was fading in and out, and the broadcast was cut off before I could say anything. I felt confused, defeated and angry.
What could this strange dream possibly mean? I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts. You can share them with us in the comments section below.
With love and appreciation,
Cassandra
Painting at top: “Dawn of a New Day,” 30 x 36 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas.
Possibly the dream was a metaphor for trying to work out all the frustrations we feel as artists and humans trapped and limited, (safe in our homes), from our normal lives, activities and aspirations. Also something about how we are similarly in pursuit of appreciation, attention and acceptance. Also rage against the devil who would prevent art from being important and essential to our well being. Great dream!
Interesting interpretation, Corinne. You’re right that there is a lot of frustration right now about feeling trapped and limited. Everything is closed down, and there’s no place to even show my art anymore. I was surprised to see Trump in my dream. I didn’t think he played a significant role in my personal life, but there he was! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Most welcome. Keep going…
First, so sorry you had to see him in your dreams (nightmare). I saw strength in your pursuit in showing your art … bikini, trip to NY, sharing anyway possible = positive.
Hi Debbi. Yeah, I don’t know why he was there in my dream. Maybe he represents authority or a bad father figure or something. I thought the bikini was pretty funny! Why would that even come up. He was wearing a suit in the pool, so why couldn’t I be fully dressed as well? But no — part of me must believe that women have to look sexy. I thought that belief was long gone, but there you have it! The subconscious doesn’t lie!
Your dream appears to be highly symbolic but we have to remember that we don’t need to justify the expression of Art. There are times when it’s meant to be jarring, shaking, and highly offensive. It touches your soul, it slaps you around saying “Wake Up.” Feel free to create and express whatever needs to be released and feel free to share that with the world! That’s what the bikini represented, no inhibitions. DT represented the self-appointed authoritarian critiquer against whom you felt you needed to defend your quest for self-expression shown by your artistic clothing.
What an eye opener – on to freedom. Give yourself permission!❤️
An added thought on DT > the suit and tie represent traditions and the swimming pool the containment of traditions and social values. Your clothing is definitely a break from that! Your art expresses freedom.
Thanks for sharing your interpretation, Erika. Some people were upset that the dream didn’t have a happy ending. It didn’t really have a conclusive ending at all — just me feeling confused, defeated and angry. Oh well! That’s life. I’m sorry I couldn’t make it happy for them. It is what it is, and I guess that’s where I am right now.
I do sometimes struggle with doing what I want versus doing things the “right” way. I always do what I want when it comes to my art, but then it’s not always accepted, which can be a problem when it comes to selling through galleries and other venues.