"Art becomes a statement of self-awareness--an awareness that presupposes a disharmony between the self of the artist and the community." Sontag reflecting on Artaud
A singular presence that both coincides and differs from what other artistic pioneers have described. What Artaud offers, that differentiates him from his more political brethren both past and present, is a metaphysical, universal definition of presence that aligns with Anna Deavere Smith‘s "being awake" in the world rather than merely being intriguing on stage.
From all the experimentation and play, Artaud grew into his "singular presence" that is the mark of any true visionary or maverick. Carriage, good "posture" and stage movement can all be taught, mimicked and imitated to varying degrees of efficacy. In the fine arts, writers and artists can adopt fashion signatures, attitudinal dispositions and the like to launch a "persona". But presence--and a singular one at that!--requires a deep, inner work that refines the mind-body-spirit connection. If ballet, movement and professional development pieces are the physical polishing artist's must endure to gain professional passability; than the cultivation of "singular presence" seems more a psycho-physical, spiritual calisthenics. Anecdotally, it seems no wonder that many artists have a meditation or spiritual practice that they hold integral to staying centered in life and art.
While spiritual/contemplative practices are sometimes incorporated into conservatory training, many a time they are not. So one wonders, what is the place of spirituality in the training of an artist? Many accomplished artists have been or are atheists; but as Nietzsche points out, a fervent belief in non-existence is in many ways no different than fervent belief in the divine. It's the intensity of the belief that shapes the mind, spirit and soul. Which is not to say that there haven’t been prolific creators who professed agnosticism; but if we define spirituality more broadly--perhaps even as cultivated consciousness, of awareness in the act of daily living--than perhaps we get closer to that which guided Artaud, Rilke and so many other "singular" individuals in their parallel spiritual and artistic pursuits.
Personally, I can’t help but distinguish my creative and artistic life from my spiritual life since art can’t help but flow from life, from experience from self-reflection. It’s also interesting to note the strong relationship--historically--between the spiritual and the artistic. From Greek theater which, as Aristotle explains in The Poetics, served as a communal gathering for emotional catharsis; to the secular theater--a replacement for organized religion--that evolved in Artaud’s time; the theater alone has proven one of the primary venues for wrestling with life's most fundamental questions. From shamanistic "performance" or ceremony, to miracle plays to the histrionics of the modern mega-church.
Similarly the music of Bach and so many others was commissioned by and for use in the Church or other religious context. More modernly and secularly, we see socially conscious stores--like ABC home--gaining prominence not just as a posh shopping store for green and clean life-style products, but more importantly, as gathering/reflective space (with its yoga classes, restaurants and lectures and performances) all stemming from a philosophy of consciousness and sustainability.
Beyond meditation and movement work, spirituality is not something formally taught nor overtly encouraged in training programs--and nor do I think it should be formally compelled or suggested. Most 'serious' artists find their way to some kind of “spiritual” practice--whatever it may look like--that centers and inspires them to reflect on what organically drives them to create and express. All I fear, though, is that academic contexts--with their need for measures and metrics--will eventually sterilize and pasteurize the creative education and thusly the creative class to the point where said class will no longer serve a reflective purpose, but merely a political or entertainment one.