Adam Moss, the former editor of New York magazine and author of "The Work of Art," discusses the complexities of creative journeys. He reveals insights from his interviews with artists, highlighting the intense struggle between creation and destruction. Moss emphasizes the necessity of persistence and healthy obsession in the artistic process while reflecting on his own transformative path from magazine editor to visual artist. The conversation also touches on the significance of personal experiences shaping artistic expression, making art a laborious yet mystical endeavor.
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Quick takeaways
Adam Moss shares insights from his transition from magazine editing to art, emphasizing the struggles and evolution in creative endeavors.
The book illustrates how low expectations can empower artists to experiment, fostering a playful environment that leads to unexpected breakthroughs.
Deep dives
Adam Moss's Journey Through Magazines
Adam Moss shares his remarkable trajectory in magazine editing, revealing how he transitioned through notable publications like Esquire, Seven Days, the New York Times magazine, and ultimately New York Magazine. His tenure at New York Magazine was characterized by significant achievements, including numerous national magazine awards and the launching of successful digital platforms. However, in 2019, Moss made the pivotal decision to leave, feeling disconnected from the audience and the staff, and recognizing that he no longer represented the desired reader profile. This departure from his role highlighted a critical turning point, reflecting on the struggles of staying relevant in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
The Shift to Art and Literature
After parting ways with New York Magazine, Moss embarked on a journey into visual art, motivated by his long-held fascination with the interplay of images and storytelling. Despite his initial enthusiasm and apparent talent in painting, he soon faced challenges, realizing that his artistic endeavors were not meeting his expectations. This experience led him to confront his frustration and boredom with not seeing improvement in his work. Ultimately, after recognizing a lack of resources on the creative process, he resolved to write a book that would explore the often tumultuous journey of artists and their creative struggles.
The Creation of 'The Work of Art'
Moss's book, 'The Work of Art: How Something Comes from Nothing,' features 43 interviews with a diverse range of artists and delves into their unique creative processes. He emphasizes the value of artifacts, such as sketches, drafts, and notes, which represent the messy and non-linear nature of artistic creation. By examining the experiences of various artists, including acclaimed figures like Stephen Sondheim and Sofia Coppola, Moss highlights the challenges faced in transforming initial ideas into executables. The book illustrates how different forms of artistic expression share common threads of persistence, obsession, and evolution through the creative journey.
Understanding the Artistic Process
A central theme within Moss's discussions is the concept of low expectations as a liberating force in the creative process for many artists. He explores how setting low stakes not only allows for experimentation but also fosters a playful environment that can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Examples from artists like Michael Cunningham reveal the often-tortured journey behind seemingly effortless masterpieces, emphasizing that the creative process is fraught with inner conflicts and self-doubt. Moss illustrates that embracing these challenges and maintaining a dialogue with oneself can unlock deeper creativity, enabling artists to pursue their passions despite inherent frustrations.
Making art is hard work, as Adam Moss, the revered former editor of New York magazine, reveals in his illuminating new book, "The Work of Art." The book is a collection of interviews with painters, poets, filmmakers, and even sandcastle builders about the demanding, mystical, peculiar process of creating something out of nothing. Adam spoke with our curator Daniel Pink in front of a live audience in New York City earlier this month.