TALIA BARNES

It dawned on me recently that “artist” isn’t a label reserved for people who have mastered a particular skill or medium, who make money from their creative work, or who espouse a particular message. The label belongs anyone willing to look closely at, listen intently to, and truly learn from their experiences and surroundings. 

“How to” is one of the most unique shows I’ve ever seen. Episodes begin with stranger-than-fiction footage of real-life New York City and end with thought-provoking meditations on friendship, solitude, and belonging. They feel part satire, part performance art, and part investigative journalism. They’re all curiosity and charm. That’s because Wilson has mastered the art of noticing.

Artists need time to experience their surroundings directly, unfiltered by how they imagine others might perceive them ... To immerse themselves in physical experience of sight, sound, touch, and taste before returning to the mental realm of the blank page to record their findings. To bring their whole self to home before bringing some parts to work.