The Art of Failure

• What are the similarities between the artists interviewed in this article? What are the differences?

The artists interviewed all come from completely different areas of art; from literature, to music, to an entrepreneur, to a dance critic. While some seem to fear failure more than the others in the beginning, the major similarity is that they all grow to recognize that failure is just apart of being an artist and you must overcome it.  

• Is there anything discussed in this article that you can relate to?

The piece about Janai Brugger hit home for me. Growing up dancing and performing, I understand that feeling of not having something completely figured out but having to get on stage still and work it out in front of an audience. It's like she says at the end of the article though... the failures are experiences.

• Do you believe that taking risks and pushing boundaries is important to the creative process? Why or why not?

It absolutely is! How do you know what you are capable of if you do not push yourself to the edge? The world would be so stale and stagnant if no one ever pushed boundaries. It's good to be uncomfortable sometimes... The strongest piece of art are the ones that make a person think, and that doesn't happen from work that is safe and comfortable. 

• Do you experience fear of failure? When? How do you think it has impacted you positively or negatively?

Of course I do! Doesn't everyone? For me fear usually drives me to keep trying, but it has certainly had negatively impacts on me as well. Perhaps it made me not try something or do something because I was afraid I'd fail. I try to learn from those moments though because the fear made me miss out on what might have otherwise been a great opportunity. 

• How do you think you can support your students as their teacher when they encounter the "fear of failure"?

I think it's important as a teacher to just be present. Listen and be there if someone needs to fall back on you.