For my next read of 2024, I finally got around to reading J. F. Martel’s ‘Reclaiming Art in the Age of Artifice’.

Of course, you will gasp when you learn this book was a gift from my friend Leander. Since I like to create stories, music, and digital art, we’ve often discussed creativity and art. These conversation topics prompted Leander to gift ‘Reclaiming Art…’.

Martel is a writer and filmmaker in the Canadian TV and film industry; he has the credentials to discuss art. His writing style is not challenging or impenetrable – Martel writes to communicate. If it is sometimes difficult to read, it is because of the complexity of the topic.

As the subtitle claims, ‘Reclaiming Art…’ is a ‘Treatise, Critique, and Call to Action’. (He won me over with that use of an Oxford comma.) Martel differentiates – referencing James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and James Cameron – art from artifice. Artifice, in simple terms, is either pornographic or didactic. I.e., it either makes the observer want something or want to avoid something. For example, an advert is artifice because it makes you want to buy something. True Art (TM) does no such thing. From there, ‘Reclaiming Art…’ goes off in ways I couldn’t summarise in a review.

While I have yet to grasp all of Martel’s ideas, what I did understand was inspiring. This book is for creators and consumers alike, especially if you’re weary of this modern world. It’s not only informative but also a call to action that can invigorate your creative spirit.

Reading ‘Reclaiming Art…’ has sparked a deep introspection into my creative process as a writer.

And that’s a powerful thing.