How to succeed as artist in spite of your own creativity | Tom Sachs | TEDxPortland

Tom delivers an honest, vulnerable Talk on how to succeed as an artist in spite of your own creativity. He explains how to define your own internal standards of excellence by sharing his concept of sympathetic magic - how to make things real, like a Chanel Guillotine. By being honest and transparent with your methods and intentions, success will follow. He shares three core maxims that define his life: authenticity, intuition and transparency.
With special thanks to core the TEDxPortland organizing team, 70+ volunteers and cherished partners - without you this experience would not be possible. Our event history can be found TEDxPortland.com
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.
A sculptor by priority, but also a willing participant in filmmaking, bricolage, painting, space exploration, and tea ceremonies, Tom makes his own rules. Playing with the idea of a consumer culture, Tom utilizes iconic brands to create his own unique take on pop culture or historical events, often highlighting the love and labor it takes to build what we so commonly use daily. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at