| October 05th, 2009 in Philosophies |
- – - Contributed by Valerie Donati of Brand Building Communications, NYC – - -
Creativity. Now, this is a subjective word if there ever was one. Most people consider artists creative, and obviously there is a lot of merit to this assumption. But many of the best artists are just tapping into their inner mathematician – making connections, seeing the world through an ordered process that may, on the outside, look like chaos.
Pollock’s splatter art tableaus have been studied by a complex computer program (mainly to detect fraud) that found what may have seemed like happen stance was really a methodical approach. In fact, his work has the same affect on the brain as looking through the interwoven branches of trees. Some people are just gifted.
Understanding Creativity?
So, creativity, how does one “get it?” And if you don’t feel particularly creative can you manufacture it? I think creativity is about the lack of fear.
Fear kills creativity…
Fear tells you nothing is really possible, that what you want can’t happen, that your dream is crazy. Creativity is the ability to suspend disbelief.
When I need to get creative I picture my mind as an open field and all the good stuff is on the outside. So I shake that field and watch the edges open up and all the good stuff roll in.
If you want to be creative, then you can’t be afraid of limits. For the creative mind the word “no” does not exist.
If you want to get creative you have to kick fear to the curb. It can be a painful process to defy the odds (and the system) as many artists can attest — just take a look at Pollock’s unhappy end, never mind Van Gogh. But to really go there, to push your creative boundaries you have to take risks. If you want to get started, start saying no to fear.
Try it, it works!
Valerie Donati is the Founder and President of Brand Building Communications, a lifestyle communications agency based in New York City and Los Angeles that specializes in hands-on, agile and creative work with both mass and luxury brands. Having spent the last 15 years building high-impact awareness campaigns for prestigious cultural organizations and global lifestyle brands, Val participates in several industry organizations including PRSA, WOMMA and CEW. You can follow Donati on Twitter at www.twitter.com/valival or visit her company’s website at www.brandbuildingcommunications.com.
I had never thought of ‘Fear’ as having the ability to ‘kill creativity’ and that ‘Creativity is the Lack of Fear’ but after reading this blog it has now bought an awareness of choosing to say ‘no’ to ‘fear’ and choosing to say ‘no’ to ‘limits’. Very thought-provoking.
Very interesting view on creativity and and the mindset you need to be creative, As Lorraine said a very thought provoking concept. Great article
I like the analogy of the mind as an open field. I can imagine all sorts of amazing ideas sitting out on the plains around my mind, not quite close enough to see. Then the land around me raises upward to create a big bowl with my mind in the middle and all the great ideas coming tumbling into me. Very cool.
Hmmmm, interesting. Nice work Valerie. I love creativity and I have to admit that i am the most creative when I’m feeling free and comfortable. If there is someone in my vacinity that is critical, it can tie me right up. When I gain or have acceptance, I can be a flippen freshly funny guy.
Different, clear, interesting and mind opening article. Never would of linked creativity with fear, yet makes sense. “Creativity is the ability to suspend disbelief” is now in big writing on my desk. Best food for thought I have heard in some time.
Nice thought Valerie. Thanks for the encouragement. I will step over the fear and get into that creative space. Keep them coming!
Believe. I was built for this. Reading this article, I found it confronting and reflective as it spoke to my identity. Thank you Valerie you have helped me remember truth.
Gold
When I was reading this blog article, I remembered a TED talk on how creativity should be nurtured from a very early age. If you have the time, please view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG9CE55wbtY
It’s exciting to think about the possibilities each one of us has when we take fear out of the equation…Would be great to hear about any practical exercises or thought patterns you take yourself through to get yourself in that place…and maybe it becomes a lifestyle choice of removing fear as opposed to a “time to remove fear 1 hour session”
“If you want to be creative, then you can’t be afraid of limits”. These are great words Valerie, I am always reminding myself to push past my limits and open my creativity to another level.
Very inspiring and eye-opening.
in the words of Glenn – “GOLD”.
It’s so true… Fear crushes creativity. Art is to be viewed; analized and critisized. As art is an expression and a reflection of the artist; to place your creation out in the public eye is leaving it voulnerable to scrutiny. No child is afraid to express themselves creatively until they start being told that they can’t; that they are not good enough. It is a choice. Thank you for helping me choose to press on amoungst fear of creative rejection!
A great life principle Valerie. I especially loved your statement that ‘creativity is the ability to suspend disbelief’. Working with people, I have many conversations about ‘change’ and find that most of us don’t realise the link between thinking, emotions and actions and as such don’t understand the capacity we have to make decisions that propel us into an optomistic, creative and hopeful future. Would love to use this article in my work. Thanks.
I am amazed to see the endless creative expression from my daughter Millie at 3 1/2 years of age. She fears no rejection in our household so unleashes an uninhibited constant stream of creativity. So true that the presence of acceptance and the absense of fear of rejection unleashes humanities best
For me creativity is all about stepping beyond the paradigms, challenging or ignoring the fear of ridicule or failure and taking the risk of expanding your thoughts into unchartered territory.
Great article!
Great article Val! Simple and to the point! Just do it!
great blog val!!!
trying to tell me something?? lol
love you!!
great work valerie!!!
good luck!
This is definitely true in the golf world. Great players remain creative and calm while the lesser players fear making mistakes. Good job Val!
[...] – - – Soumis par Valérie Donati de Brand Communications Building, NYC – - – Créativité. Maintenant, c'est un mot subjectif s'il en fut un. La plupart des gens considèrent comme des artistes créateurs, et évidemment il ya beaucoup de mérite à cette hypothèse. Mais plusieurs des meilleurs artistes sont tapant juste dans leur mathématicien interne [. . . ] URL article original: http://www.redmeetsblue.com.au/blog/2009/10/05/creativity-is-the-lack-of-fear/ [...]