The Artist’s Intent   -poet Scott Cairns in an interview with
Image  Most of my recent posts have to do with various things we
can wrestle with as artists and creators. I ran across this
quote from Cairns and it evoked a puzzled response more than
anything. I can read his quote and think, “Absolutely! Screw
propaganda and allow the creativity to flow.” He makes the
journey sound beautiful, and yet…  I feel like many musicians
and writers do have that intent in mind. They do have something
specific to communicate and the end goal already figured out.
And I’m sure sometimes they might deviate from that – as they
get going, they realize their creativity is a forceful river
unto itself, eroding the banks and rushing over land into a new
path. But I know that others begin and end with the same
conclusion, starting with The End in mind and moving there
without distraction. And I still feel like it’s good art.  Am I
mistaken? Of course, Scott Cairns is not infallible so perhaps
that’s not a blanket statement he made