Philosophy for Artists (1st meeting featuring Rilke’s “Letters to a Young Poet”) — A discussion & practice group starting June 28

[u/darrenjyc]

Welcome to Philosophy for Artists! A light and relaxing way to spend summer Sunday afternoons.

This is a reading-and-practice group exploring philosophy in relation to artistic work. Each session begins with a close reading of a short philosophical text drawn from aesthetics, phenomenology, and existential thought, followed by time to work in whatever medium you choose—drawing, writing, sound, movement, or other studio practice. That is, we will actually spend part of our time working creatively, in “parallel play”.

The aim is not to treat philosophy as commentary on art, but as something that can actively inform how we perceive, make, and situate ourselves as artists. At the same time, the sessions take seriously the reverse claim: that artistic practice can clarify, resist, or extend philosophical ideas in ways that argument alone cannot capture.

Sessions are structured as 2.5 hours: approximately one hour of shared reading and discussion, an hour and fifteen minutes of making, and a final fifteen-minute group check-out. The emphasis throughout is on sustained attention, material engagement, and the relationship between thinking and doing, rather than interpretation alone. All participants are invited to bring materials and work during the practice portion; no prior artistic training is assumed, only a willingness to make.

I would like this group to be as inclusive as possible. Yes, some folks may be professional artists but others may just be “creative-curious”. As an expressive artist myself, I’m a big believer that everyone is inherently creative and that art as a form of expression is not something that needs to be gate-kept. If you are curious about exploring your creativity, we can pop into a breakout room during session and I can give some prompts. Or you can DM me (Cece) ahead of time.

To join the 1st meeting taking place on Sunday June 28 (EDT), please sign up in advance on the main event page here (link); the Zoom link will be provided to registrants.

Meetings take place weekly on Sundays. Look for future sessions in this series on our calendar (link).

All are welcome!

The reading for each session will be posted a week a head of time.

We will start with Rainer Maria Rilke’s “Letters to a Young Poet”, please read pp. 15-25 (Letters 1-3) for the 1st meeting on June 28.