I’m between the first two days of a four-day conference. It’s not often us arty-types have conferences. This one deals with the running of a creative business.
Firstly, I should point out that ‘four days’ is misleading. Two blocks of two days each are separated by five weeks, obviously to let one’s brain recover from explosion. Four days on the trot may lead to a degree of inefficiency, at the very least, or complete meltdown at the worst.
Not that it’s bad. Oh no. Quite the opposite—so much good information one struggles to find room to shove it all in for later.
Secondly, I should say the presenter is excellent. I feel totally secure in the sense that she knows stuff. That is enormously comforting—money and time is being invested by the dozen or so participants and it is great we don’t have to sit on tenterhooks watching out for dubious statements.
She’s not the only person who knows stuff, of course. In their field of work or interest, everyone knows stuff—significant amounts of stuff— and it is all too rare we see that flowing out of even the people close to us. It can be literally awesome to be present when someone’s knowledge is set free, and most moving when that happens in a quiet and non-self conscious way.
And the best people to listen to are those who don’t realise their knowledge is special, who think their stuff is just the stuff of every day and even everybody. There is no ‘splaining from these people, but rather a musing or discussion or casual comments of great moment.
I will enjoy today, catching further treasures from our presenters stuff. I’ll also try to be on the alert for stuff in the participants. I’m not always good at that.
May you enjoy your own stuff. In fact, may you revel in it. Someone will be overawed.
Until later,
Kirsten
Everyday Thoughts of an Artist 