you’re a performer not a Swiss train conductor

So unless it’s part of your art, it’s not your job.

And if it is?
There’s only one option.

Make it art.

—

The truth is, I don’t have the final version of how artists (in general) are supposed to leverage it all, come 2025.
Where art starts and where it stops and the havoc of commercialism begins.

I do not have a final lecture on how to handle making a living when your work, together with all the other things that give our lives meaning, was never included into capitalism.
And has been passed around like a hot potato from one marginalized group to the next, or from one privileged figure in society to the next, for thousands of years.
Always without a natural home.

So no finalized list, no artist’s manifesto.
All I can say is that, like with many things, the more you know the more you’re aware of how little you know.

Suffice to say, I m sharing the little that I know, while still being aware I will probably need to eat my words again.
And that’s okay.

So artist, performer;
What is it that you do, and why are you not a Swiss train conductor?

The title is a quote from the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. It is what Freddie Mercury says to his bandmates when he’s being called out for arriving late at the studio.

“I’m a performer Darling, not a Swiss train conductor.”
movie Bohemian Rhapsody, “Freddie Mercury”

There is a children’s book by Leo Leonni, about another Freddie, called Frederick.
(video)
It is about a mouse who does not seem to work. When the other mice are collecting food for the winter, Frederick collects colors and sunbeams.

And deep into winter, when the food is all but gone and their tiny bodies are cold from the harsh temperatures, they call upon Frederick.
“How about your supplies?” they ask.
And Frederick starts speaking.

About the seasons and about the sun shining warmly on their furs.

Little by little the mouse begin to feel better, their cheeks rosy and their minds brimming with memories and the promise of better times.

As a performer, your art is everything that enables you to be there, even when the other systems have come to a halt.
And even if that means that in the pre-art phase little is visible, and the people around us may not be as understanding as the mice from Frederick’s community.
Or we less eloquent than Frederick, or Freddie Mercury, in explaining what it is we do.

The moment we start measuring our success (or worse: value) by whether we are as accurate as a Swiss trainconductor, or as productive as the other mice whose lives in the heart of winter will be dependent on whether or not we have nourished our artistic capacities;
That, is the moment we kill our art.

So can we then not be more productive?
Can we not be accurate and reliable?

You can if you make it part of your art.
I don’t know, maybe Frederick could have color coded the stock.
Or Queen could have set up their studio days in a more colorful fashion, around certain themes, fancy dress codes and with guest musicians to collaborate with.  

In the same way you can incorporate activities or areas of life that are difficult to skip or neglect without being an asshole, into your creative work.

Just never forget what you are here for, and what will be needed from you most, is your warming light;
Your bright colors;
Your words;
And your poetry.

.
~Suzanne Beenackers
Catacombe
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Originally scheduled to be renewed on the 4th of December, these offers are still up, until this Freddie (Suzanne) feels inspires to create her new offer.

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On 4 December 2024 whenever a new cycle starts.
With a fresh but minimalist program offering, leading all the way up to 2034.

---

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---

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THE ROCK STAR is a one-time investment, and our conversation is confidential.

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Once we know we are a good fit, my price is accepted by you and you choose to make a booking;
We move.

It is possible the above story has already given you an outline of what you want to discuss.

If you think you would benefit from a broader approach, my suggestion will be to sort your story into:

1. the earthly plane
Your possessions, worldly matters, income streams, worries and responsibilities you fear you can’t meet.
A helpful term could be how do things look from the perspective of financial freedom, or worldly freedom.

2. your purpose
What is the work you love doing, what are the moments big or small, that you know you are aligned. Has God told you, what you’re here for?
This is about creative freedom, or even karmic freedom.
Are you free to do the work, that is yours?

3. your Rock Star expansion
What is the fullest expression you are here to bring?
And what are the areas you’re playing small, as if cut off from your powers?
We investigate if in those areas, the rules you play by are yours, or society’s.
“3” is related to sexual freedom.
Like anything, it is up to you if that is part of our conversation or not.

Because all three points are just a suggestion, they offer a good framework providing one hour for every topic, to go deeper looking for answers.
But the setlist is not fixed.

I have merely built the stage for us, and we have three hours.

It is up for you to take it.

————-.

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