The Art of Cidermaking: You Already Know It, You Just Don't Know It

[The following is an essay I wrote in conjunction with the discussion-panel of the Holistic Orchard Network website. Go there for further discussion and comments.]

 

Art can not be taught 

You heard right: Art can not be taught. At best, an art teacher can help the student learn how THEY make art, but if the student is not willing to look inside for the way (or if they are fixating on looking for answers) then forget it, Art isn't for them.

Yes, you can teach the formal aspects of art, but you can't teach the artmaking itself because Art is a relationship, not a product. The "product" manifests from the relationship. This is always the case. Art does not, and can not, manifest itself from the formal aspects alone. 

It's important to note: There's nothing elitist about Art because EVERYONE is an Artist! That's right, YOU are an Artist! Do you have a relationship to your family and friends? Then you are an artist -- you have developed a way of relating to them. Do you have a relationship to Earth and the environment? Then you are an artist -- you have developed a way of interacting with the planet. You already have lots of practice with being an artist and in the practice of painting, or the cultivating of apple trees, or cider making, it will all translate into one.  Learn to trust what you already know! 

So, let's be clear: Apple cultivation is a relationship, and so is cider making. RELATIONSHIPS.
If you can remember this then you can approach apple growing and cider making as any artist does (and how all people should.) You will be well positioned to digest the formal qualities as well, which are helpful tools. You will also be able to contextualize what the experts say (the "science of wine making") and know they are full of shit. There are no experts at life, no one lives more than you do, and that's what art is, life. Experience counts for something, just not much. 

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OK, so you want little-old me to talk about the formal qualities of cider making? Fine, I can do that, as I have on past posts, but DON'T get lost in my knowledge. This is the trap people always fall it and I've seen it a million times. Words are not real, they are just capsels. My ideas can inspire but they can't be learned. Because ART CAN'T BE LEARNED! So this is rule number one: Don't let other people's ideas substitute for YOUR experience of life. You will figure it out. Trust that. You've been doing it all along. 

Rule number 2: Be weary of everyone who is not you! They are practicing their art on you and trying to convince themselves of their perspective. Fine, but don't trust their words. Retaliate with your life because that's the only thing real. Inspect other people's art and take only what is helpful to you.

I might say, for instance, "Dabinett is a good cider apple but it sucks in Northeast soils unless you amend the soils, graft on dwarf, spray and irrigate, etc." (in which case you're removing 90% of the good properties anyways.) 

Or, when I say, "What you really should grow is wild, assimilated trees because it's not the variety, it's how it's grown," keep in mind this is just what I say because it was true with my experience. I have a very different way of relating to the world than you. 

You TELL me how to grow a cider apple! Seriously, that's what Art is:  YOU tell me. 

This means we can all proceed and relax as equals. There are no experts, only more experienced artisans (and that counts for little.) More importantly, as equals, there's no hierarchy of information. It's what matters to YOU. Yes, I've had lots of experience making cider, growing trees, and with Art in general, but my stories and "wisdom" is offered only as a reference. It's your journey.  

Art is relative. It's ALL about relationships. Only you can live your life. So, what's it like?