An Artist’s Responsibility: Creating and Influencing Change | Author: Andriy Kumanovskyy

It can be argued that everything that good art does is political, but I don’t fully agree. Some issues transcend politics into something much more urgent, especially when our, and all other life’s ability to thrive on earth is threatened. While the solutions to this may partly be political, environmental issues themselves are not as they deal with all life on earth.

As many of you may know, I am also a producer by the name of Andy Kumanov. I had my breakthrough into the progressive trance scene last year with a collaborative track out on Enhanced Music along with Leo Lauretti. Since last year, I’ve decided to look for ways to link my two callings together.

Direct Monetary Effects

For every environmentally related release (many, if not most of them), any royalties that I collect will be matched by me and both sums will be donated to one or more of the following organizations I can vouch for regarding their authenticity and action: Environmental Defence, Union of Concerned Scientists, The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. Please reach out on the website or via Facebook if there are any others that you as the readers would recommend!

Potential for Influence

The other positive effect of this is the potential to influence and inspire other people. While I’ve always felt deeply and spiritually connected to the natural world that is both our home and integrated in ourselves (one such way is the link between cellular respiration and photosynthesis), it wasn’t until a viewing of somebody else’s art triggered me to dedicate my working and free time to environmental causes.

This personal experience was a viewing of the extended version of James Cameron’s movie: ‘Avatar’. It was during convenient holiday times of my last year in high school, so I still had the chance to pursue an environmental field in university. After some research, I felt I would have the most impact regarding climate change and waste issues by entering the field of Mechanical Engineering -- where I’m currently working right now. While Chemical Engineering is a good option as well, Mechanical Engineering has a broader potential to influence and change.

Actionable Takeaways

If you are an artist, writer, blogger, movie maker, etc. take the responsibility to fight and advocate for something important -- an issue that is bigger than yourself. Perhaps something urgent like the environment. Not only will this give you a deep sense of meaning beyond the art itself, it will also make this world a much better place. This is evident both in the tangible reaching of goals, as well potentially in a cultural shift away from the ‘self obsession’ with rights we are in right now, and into one that’s more balanced with purpose and responsibility.

Google or search any Music Store for ‘Andy Kumanov’ to find Andy Kumanov’s music. This is a good place to start.