We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julie “JJ” Joseph a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, JJ thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I often do wonder what it would be like to have the stability of a 9-5 job, and I think the arts can absolutely go through phases of being incredibly draining. However, I think when it comes to work situations, stability can often go hand in hand with monotony. I love the flexibility of being a freelance creative, how I can shape each day with the understanding of what is in place for my survival, and what is in place for my expression. I wouldn’t change my path for the world… but when the going gets tough its definitely hard not to daydream.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I went to Brandeis University (’18) and originally was focused on becoming a Forensic Psychologist and working with the FBI. Over time, I realized that dance was something that has always been present for me, and it led me to become curious about where dance could take me. After graduating, I took a lil pivot to the left and began dancing, choreographing and teaching professionally.
Currently, I am most inspired by the idea of being limitless. For example, I love doing creative direction/ DP work– so how can I both be a DP and a dancer in my own process, while not losing the caliber of work I hold myself to? I have often been given the advice to “stick to one thing,” and I am currently interested in investigating the differentiation of being focused vs limited.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I often think of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs when thinking about art in todays society. Our basic level one priority as humans is physiological needs– food, water, shelter, etc. The other four levels speak to further experiences within human life– safety, esteem, love, and actualization.
The world we live in often places an expendable mindset towards art, and many artists have to lean on survival jobs to meet those physiological needs. If society viewed art as a necessity to survival, art could be experienced with higher value. With more value attached, artists could experience less survival stress and more freedom to live within the upper levels of Maslow’s hierarchy. In turn, artists could create better art.
On the personal level, I think this change can initiate by us all committing to community. What artists are around you? How can you support them? Do you have the resources to fill your home with community created art? Is there an open mic night nearby? The more we place interpersonal artistic enjoyment where we place our economic value, the faster society may be to recognize that art is a NEED, not just a hobby.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, its the freedom and playfulness that comes from looking at the world we live in creatively. I think many career paths direct people to look at the world in a specific way, and follow a certain blueprint. As an artist, I love the flexibility that comes with inventing the wheel from scratch, every single day.
Contact Info:
- Website: jjinmotion.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jj_choreography/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXhEhJPNSzQqhyV8v_gLpaA
Image Credits
Picture in tap shoes– Lee Gumbs Picture with dog– Sam Mandich Picture in black shirt — Sam Mandich Picture in red– Sam Mandich Picture looking down in purple pants– Donell Caret