Questions About The Rules of Art: Genesis and Structure of the Literary Field (Meridian-Crossing Aesthetics)

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Is there a big difference between artists writing for their collegues and artists writing for the market (as best-sellers)?

Pseudo Well, I would compare it to a potter who is making a vase. If it's just for the tourists who come by during the summer and like shiny colors, he might…moreWell, I would compare it to a potter who is making a vase. If it's just for the tourists who come by during the summer and like shiny colors, he might not imbue his work with all the subtleties that he might otherwise put in a work created for his peers (let's say a pottery contest) who will not be impressed by shiny colors but by more subtle techniques the tourists would not even have noticed. The pottery produced for the tourists need not be excellent, just pretty and readily available to them (so the potter must produce at a somewhat faster pace, because the objective is to sell as many vases as possible).
In contrast a vase produced for other potters takes more time and reflexion, as they too understand pottery and will not be so easily impressed. It is more of a technical challenge and is designed not merely to please the crowd's eye, but to show the extent of the potter's mastery of his craft.
(This analogy does not take into account the fact that writers/artists must first be vetted by an editor /gallery manager, which is kind of a big issue...)
In my opinion though, great works of art are those who are able to speak to the peers as well as to the (ignorant) masses. And I personally believe great writers and artists create not for their peers nor for the market but for themselves first and foremost.
I hope I have partially answered your question...(less)

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