"Only those with enough 'history,' as he used to say, were good enough to stand out." What a way to completely destroy the diversity and fun of art...
It's really sad how creativity is treated as a gift for a social class.
I attend a more popular graphic design university, nothing pretentious about it. Most people simply work all day, have bills to pay, and just want their diploma to move on with their lives. No way to nurture creativity is given to the students. Most classes are blocks of slides with very basic notions of design, without references and without reflection.
I only had one professor who tried very hard to bring out a more artistic vision in the students, and several times he was treated as "the weird guy."
Meanwhile, one of my best friends attended the best university in the country. So, so expensive, that he will probably be in debt for the rest of his life. But, even so, it was great for him. He made documentaries, met artists, atend really good college lectures with brilliant people. While my university is full of online classes to cut costs.
There, it became clear to me that art is about class. Nothing new under the sun. To nurture creativity, you need a full stomach. Some people simply can't stay in unpaid internships for the "experience," and unfortunately, working at McDonald's six times a week doesn't help with inspiration (even if it can be a source of strength to nurture great short stories, but that's not encouraged either).
What your other teacher said is true. Creativity requires effort. It requires access and time. And many people may not have that, but they have rich experiences, and they would probably create incredible things if they could have the space. In fact, many are already doing it.
It's frustrating to see popular and street art thrown in the trash when people in the power do everything to prevent access to any type of "renowned" reference to begin with. It's like giving a child modeling clay, watch they make a beautiful sculpture, and then throw it in the trash because it's not made of marble. Nobody gave them marble in the first place!
Exactly! It is about class and access. Unfortunately the only people that don’t see that are the ones that never had to move a finger to reach it, always had access regardless.
You made a perfect analogy! That is exactly how I felt
this is such an interesting and also beautifully written post! I agree with the point that everyone is creative in some way but obviously if you practice creativity in your everyday life, you’re going to have more of a creative brain than someone with an average job because we’ve learnt how to train our brains to be more engaged and creative with the things we produce or observe. I think everyone has a little bit of creativity in them, particularly as kids but it’s definitely a skill. I love this piece SO MUCH🫶🫶❤️🩹
i think that creativity is something that needs to be nurtured, i agree that it doesn’t always come naturally to each person — the same way that it shows up in different ways depending on the person. i really like the idea of making yourself do something creative each day, that way you can teach yourself to lean into it more. as long as you can understand that nothing can really be ‘bad’ or ‘ugly’, getting yourself to make or do something with your own two hands is cool even if it’s not super talented. because what is talent anyway? i think showing up every day is talented enough.
I wouldn't believe someone if they said I wasn't creative. It's a skill that takes time to develop BUT it's also something that can't be judged on a scale. It's not a numbers game but a practice one. Yes there are areas that could be improved, but how are we to know that's just not their art style? I love that you wrote "Not everything you do has to be a mind blowing, heartfelt mute film captured in 4:3 talking about a subject you don’t even know enough about." We take ourselves too seriously. Sometimes, just having fun with our crafts can make room for creativity.
i feel creativity nowadays is more associated with performance and how it appeals to a certain demographic which is an invisible brief. if someone said one is not creative enough it would simply translate that they don't fit in the current performance market, not creativity itself.
That is a really good point, though. And now that you pointed it out, I can’t unsee it. But, despite it all, in my class that wasn’t really the problem fortunately. Or unfortunately… it was our creativity that was challenged always. The teachers would immediately diss anyone who was trying to perform in their projects
I agree as well that creativity can be improved. Like by exposing ourselves to new things and different points of view. It can also be enhanced through reading widely, exploring new environments, allowing moments of silence and boredom, and engaging with art, language, and meaningful conversations, all of which encourage the mind to wander, question, and create.
Exactly that! You literally said everything. Also, you touched on a very important point I didn't in the post, boredom. It takes a big role in our creative journeys and the world is getting louder with every year that goes by...
"Only those with enough 'history,' as he used to say, were good enough to stand out." What a way to completely destroy the diversity and fun of art...
It's really sad how creativity is treated as a gift for a social class.
I attend a more popular graphic design university, nothing pretentious about it. Most people simply work all day, have bills to pay, and just want their diploma to move on with their lives. No way to nurture creativity is given to the students. Most classes are blocks of slides with very basic notions of design, without references and without reflection.
I only had one professor who tried very hard to bring out a more artistic vision in the students, and several times he was treated as "the weird guy."
Meanwhile, one of my best friends attended the best university in the country. So, so expensive, that he will probably be in debt for the rest of his life. But, even so, it was great for him. He made documentaries, met artists, atend really good college lectures with brilliant people. While my university is full of online classes to cut costs.
There, it became clear to me that art is about class. Nothing new under the sun. To nurture creativity, you need a full stomach. Some people simply can't stay in unpaid internships for the "experience," and unfortunately, working at McDonald's six times a week doesn't help with inspiration (even if it can be a source of strength to nurture great short stories, but that's not encouraged either).
What your other teacher said is true. Creativity requires effort. It requires access and time. And many people may not have that, but they have rich experiences, and they would probably create incredible things if they could have the space. In fact, many are already doing it.
It's frustrating to see popular and street art thrown in the trash when people in the power do everything to prevent access to any type of "renowned" reference to begin with. It's like giving a child modeling clay, watch they make a beautiful sculpture, and then throw it in the trash because it's not made of marble. Nobody gave them marble in the first place!
Exactly! It is about class and access. Unfortunately the only people that don’t see that are the ones that never had to move a finger to reach it, always had access regardless.
You made a perfect analogy! That is exactly how I felt
this is such an interesting and also beautifully written post! I agree with the point that everyone is creative in some way but obviously if you practice creativity in your everyday life, you’re going to have more of a creative brain than someone with an average job because we’ve learnt how to train our brains to be more engaged and creative with the things we produce or observe. I think everyone has a little bit of creativity in them, particularly as kids but it’s definitely a skill. I love this piece SO MUCH🫶🫶❤️🩹
Thank you so much for reading and commenting <3 Sometimes, we just gotta let own inner child roam free in our minds as well
i think that creativity is something that needs to be nurtured, i agree that it doesn’t always come naturally to each person — the same way that it shows up in different ways depending on the person. i really like the idea of making yourself do something creative each day, that way you can teach yourself to lean into it more. as long as you can understand that nothing can really be ‘bad’ or ‘ugly’, getting yourself to make or do something with your own two hands is cool even if it’s not super talented. because what is talent anyway? i think showing up every day is talented enough.
Exactly, that’s the point! Making something is already so big. And making it everyday is a pretty good achievement
I wouldn't believe someone if they said I wasn't creative. It's a skill that takes time to develop BUT it's also something that can't be judged on a scale. It's not a numbers game but a practice one. Yes there are areas that could be improved, but how are we to know that's just not their art style? I love that you wrote "Not everything you do has to be a mind blowing, heartfelt mute film captured in 4:3 talking about a subject you don’t even know enough about." We take ourselves too seriously. Sometimes, just having fun with our crafts can make room for creativity.
Very well put, we indeed take ourselves too seriously. Thank you for reading 🫶🏻
i feel creativity nowadays is more associated with performance and how it appeals to a certain demographic which is an invisible brief. if someone said one is not creative enough it would simply translate that they don't fit in the current performance market, not creativity itself.
That is a really good point, though. And now that you pointed it out, I can’t unsee it. But, despite it all, in my class that wasn’t really the problem fortunately. Or unfortunately… it was our creativity that was challenged always. The teachers would immediately diss anyone who was trying to perform in their projects
I agree as well that creativity can be improved. Like by exposing ourselves to new things and different points of view. It can also be enhanced through reading widely, exploring new environments, allowing moments of silence and boredom, and engaging with art, language, and meaningful conversations, all of which encourage the mind to wander, question, and create.
Exactly that! You literally said everything. Also, you touched on a very important point I didn't in the post, boredom. It takes a big role in our creative journeys and the world is getting louder with every year that goes by...
Thank you for reading <3
Agreed! I hope that guy that was making people doubt their creativity steps in a puddle and has wet socks all day.
LMFAAOOO im crying. Honestly i hope so too