(New York, NY) – Social media has created a competitive environment… a warzone of artistic criticism that can be abusive and intimidating.  Sam Villa is taking a stand on this trend that is pulling the industry apart by advocating a movement to communicate in a more thoughtful respectful way to promote growth and evolution in the industry - #ArtistsSupportingArtists.

 

“The general climate of communication has shifted in a titanic way in the past 10-15 years - the method of both distribution and consumption of information, as well as the conversations around those mediums. It seems the more brutal the attack, the more follow up comments or “likes” the verbal pummeling receives, which in turn fuels more of this type of abusive action.  The reason these comments fly from people’s fingertips so easily is that the computer screen or smart phone sitting in front of them has no emotion.  In that moment, it’s so easy to forget that the person on the receiving end is just that… a living breathing human with feelings,” explains Andrew Carruthers, Director of Education for Sam Villa. 

 

Artists tend to have large hearts and a level of insecurity around their work, so this type of communication is especially damaging.  Overcoming that insecurity to share their art on a social media platform for the entire world to see is an act of courage deserving of respect and support… not mindless attacks.  

 

“Let’s band together to promote unity in the industry…restore the evolution of change Sassoon created that everyone wanted to be a part of,” says Sam Villa, Founding Partner of Sam Villa and Redken Education Artistic Director.  “Let’s set aside ego, brand, company, team and tribe, and do something to better our industry and foster its future.”

 

 

#ArtistsSupportingArtists – How to Get Involved

 

·       Tag positive communication with #ArtistsSupportingArtists.

 

·       Communicate with the same level of respect digitally as you would in person. 

 

·       Consider the intention of comments - break someone else down, accumulate more followers, pick a fight, vent personal frustration…or promote confidence, creativity and growth?

 

·       There is no value in “I hate it” or “That’s hideous,” they add nothing to a conversation and can potentially cause pain.  

 

·       Be constructive - “I’d like it better if it wasn’t as thin at the bottom” or “If you want to blend that fade a little more, I would suggest…” is feedback that creates a conversation, provides opportunity for discovery, and doesn’t carry an emotional punch.  

 

·       PAY IT FORWARD!