Academic publishing takes time, but life moves more quickly. Yesterday, I received a copy of a book of articles from a conference about music mediation to I spoke at in June 2023—before the Gaza war, before the second Trump presidency, before so much…
The chapter I re-wrote from my talk seems from another world. It was also written in the midst of a crisis about the basis of my ideas and practice that I’ve still not been able to resolve. My warning then described where I felt I was:
Unless we understand clearly what we are trying to do, what we are capable of doing and what it is ethical and not ethical to do, then we end up in a marsh, lost and stuck in the mud, and doing all sorts of things badly or ineffectually.
I was indeed lost in a marsh. In response, I imagined a new book that I called A Selfless Art, but my thinking is too confused and everything I write collapses like a house of cards. I think that there is something worth saying here but I still can’t see how to say it a coherent, constructive and accessible way. So I’m waiting, lying fallow for the longest period of my life, trusting that things will knit together and heal, though there is no sign of it yet, because I know that they do. And if I run out of time before then I know there are always others to take things forward.
In the meantime, you can download my chapter here:
The book can be downloaded or bought in print here:
François Matarasso 
Responses to “From ‘Us & Them’ to We”
‘I have fallen into the self-deception of doing good projects and thinking it is enough.
And it is not enough.(…) I fear that, however good individual projects may be, all we
do is alleviate symptoms without resolving their causes’.
I’m going to disagree with you. Your work and words are enough – they were just what I needed to read today after a week of wondering why I keep on doing what I do.
As for ‘us and them’ – over the past few years I find myself repeatedly asking funders/gatekeepers if they consider professional artists part of the community/communities.
Here’s hoping you can find a way out of that mud.
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Thank you for your words. I’m glad mine were what you needed today. We keep going, just trying to learn from mistakes and do better.
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Don’t lose heart and confidence Francois. This is a brilliant chapter and even more relevant now as the world continues to change. There are anchors, timeless principles and pro-social priorities that guide us through the changes. You do this, and always have, brilliantly. J
Jonothan Neelands PhD, DSc, FRSA.
Academic Director for Cultural Partnerships | University of Warwick
Professor of Creative Education | Warwick Business School
** My working days for the University are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday only **
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Thank you Jonothan, that’s very kind. I’m encouraged that you liked the chapter. F
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Francois, I am so sorry you are in a marsh. The mud does suck one in but the tide always turns. Thank you for every word you offer. Jane
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Thank you Jane – there will be a way through, as you say; patience, like hope, is a virtue.
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