Can art be objectively bad? With CJ the X (Episode 85)

Creative Culture with Steve Ramsey

Has social media fundamentally changed the way we perceive art? Can art me quantified by the number of eyeballs that view it? In this episode of Creative Culture, I talked with CJ the X, @cjthex a creator and philosopher whose work explores the intersection of art and our cultural engagement with social media. CJ's content, ranging from thought-provoking videos to critical essays, offers a fresh perspective on art's subjectivity and the influence of digital platforms on creative expression. We navigated through various topics, including the challenges and triumphs of the creative process, the impact of social media on art, and the essence of making art that resonates both personally and publicly.

Key takeaways from our conversation:

• The "Mr. Beastification" of art

• CJ's approach to content creation emphasizes depth and thoughtfulness, urging creators to prioritize substance over viral appeal.

• The importance of "aesthetic sincerity" in art, where the value of creative work stems from genuine expression rather than strategic analytics.

• The challenge of balancing creative integrity with the pressures of social media metrics and audience expectations.

• The concept of "doing" as the core of artistic identity, underscoring the need for creators to engage actively with their craft.

• Insights into navigating the digital landscape as an artist, including the pitfalls of content commodification and the pursuit of meaningful engagement.

• The potential of social media as a tool for artistic expression, despite its inherent tensions with traditional notions of artistry.

• Reflections on the evolving definition of art in the digital age and the role of creators in shaping cultural conversations.

Watch CJ's videos: https://www.youtube.com/@cjthex

Read CJ's essays: https://cjthex.com/

Support Creative Culture on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/creativeculturepod