Fear of Content?

Part 1-The Enforcers

As committed creatives, we all know that technique is important.

But in almost any art, design or craft medium, there are those who worship technique above all else.

(And coming from a fiber art background, I know this is especially true of my field in particular, but technique totalitarianism can be found in all forms of creativity.)

And really, I think that can be fine–you know, whatever floats your boat–except an obsession with technique is usually accompanied by a lot of rules about what counts, what doesn’t, what’s cheating and what isn’t.

Which is usually accompanied by judgment.

And that’s just stifling.

But aside from stifling oneself, I see it enforcing a stifling creative atmosphere where you can feel like you’re risking outright rejection by your creative tribe just by experimenting or breaking the spoken or unspoken rules of the group–whether those rules are about hand stitches only or what comprises a “real” painting. I mean, who wants to be judged by the very group one wants to belong to?

If you’ve felt stifled and afraid to create “wrong” work that will be looked down upon by rule-driven creative peers, I’d like to point out something I’ve noticed over the years about technique tyranny.

Here it is:

Most obsession with technique is masking a discomfort with ideas.

Yes, I’m talking about Fear-of-Content–an effort to avoid the question of “what are you trying to say and why?”

It’s a way to stay in a black and white comfort zone that relieves a person from exploring the ambiguity of  personal expression.

Maybe it’s a fear of not having anything to say, or a fear that what you have to say is unimportant.

But when you start down the path of personal expression, then technique is there to serve you and not the other way around. No longer a slave to technique, your options open up about how to use your technique(s) to convey a thought, idea, emotion or moment in time.

Suddenly, when you begin to commit to your personal expression, it’s okay to use a machine on that quilt or charcoal in that painting–if that’s what will help you express your particular vision.

And, what’s so…ironical…about this process, is it might end up leading you to an even deeper commitment to particular techniques afterall–because once you know what you want to say, you’ll want the tools to do it.

But if this happens, it comes from an empowered place–and there’s no need to compel anyone else to do what you’re doing, pass judgment on other colleagues’ choices, or subjugate your vision to unhelpful rigidity or petty rule enforcement.

What also starts to happen is that when you allow yourself to create on your own terms like this, kindred spirits start coming out of the woodwork as well–so even if your risk taking removes you from one tribe that prefers rules and technique, your authentic experimentation lets your true tribe find you and support your efforts.

Ain’t no mountain high enough!

Next week I’ll share Part 2 of Technique Tyranny and the Fear of Content.

In the meantime, what do you think about what Part 1? Do you buy it? Have you experienced Technique Tyranny?  Do you do it to yourself? Does it feel safer than delving into deep expression? Please share your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to hear from you.