By Marcelle La Cour

We live in a world where mediocrity has become the overall condition of so much of our world. Where “good enough” is too often the highest goal of an increasingly indiscriminate and careless culture who are too willing to accept too little. What happened to Quality? Do most of us today really know what this word means, and its effect on our lives?

We have been brought up in an environment where quality, integrity, competence and other essential values have become concepts as eroded as the great pyramids: they till stand, but have become mere remnants, reminders of a forgotten glory. Quality, the embodiment of an exacting mastery of method and material, is succumbing to the corrosion of the attitudes and actions of a vast population who accept “good enough” as the approved and profitable modus operandi. Is this really good enough? The incomprehensible work of “fine art” rendered with an inept hand, the book that goes to print with the soul intent of profit. Songs with no recognizable melody or meaning. A performance concocted for mass appeal with little attention to…quality.

The sense of pride and competence one has when one delivers one’s best effort is now too often replaced with the short-term semi-satisfaction of getting the buck the fastest and easiest way. The acceptance of the mediocre work sounds in the mournful bell tolling the tale of a world on its way to a funeral––its own. That may seem a bit dramatic. And you may not believe it, but how do you feel when you’ve taken the easy way, the less tiresome or difficult solution, when you know in your gut that the harder road was the right road, but then you deny it? That is the little death and each step down that path leads to the death of each value, a certain road to unhappiness. Too many are now blithely descending this treacherous route with no thought to the standards and principles that are integral and essential to our very nature and existence. Well, what lies at the end of this road? It is not life, I have found.

Many do strive to do our best, but in this world where mediocrity reigns, it has become too easy not to and too easily accepted is the unqualified work. Truly good work often remains unrecognized, un-rewarded. Thus, compromising one’s efforts and integrity in this undemanding environment too often wins out. Still, quality is recognizable. We continue to be awed by the power and majesty of the works of Michelangelo, the brilliance and subtle blending of rhyme, reason and truths in the written words of Shakespeare, the magic in the emotional impact of the music of our great composers and musicians from past to present. They move and shake us, model and make us, such is the quality of their works, the quality of their uncompromised efforts that result in this power.

We have within each of us an ability to draw upon, even the tiniest kernel is there to be nurtured, inspired, strengthened and given a path to travel upon. We can reach the level of, and even surpass, all the great masters in any field, of any past. If you did not in some way believe this you would never even attempt what you do in your art, if you are an artist. We have more physical tools than those of the past ever had, but we have, as a whole, less concern for and understanding of the very things that they applied so rigorously and religiously to achieve their master works. The uncompromising and unfailing pursuit of the quality necessary to create the kind of art that survives the centuries and continues on: pinnacles of what we aspire to.

The passage to that end is not necessarily the easy way, nor the quick way. It takes will and fortitude to be that kind of artist. If you don’t know your chosen field well, you must find the know-how, or make it. If your school can’t teach you what you need to know, find those mentors and masters who can teach you and convince them they must. If your your instruments aren't complying with what you have in mind, dig up, study any and every reference that can be found to improve your skills and make the quality of your work the inspiration that others will need to light their way. Go beyond, always reach farther than what others have done before and never, just never compromise on quality!

© 2001, Marcelle La Cour. All Worldwide Rights Reserved

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