Posting about the evidence of creativity that I would notice in each day for a year has been illuminating. Creativity indeed manifests itself each day. It has been satisfying and gratifying to recognize it as a fundamental element in who I am and what drives me on a daily basis.
Having the chance to reflect upon the wonder cupboard project, I will be taking a new approach. I realized that I am not that interested in or often able to post every single day. Though I operate best with routine, the task of posting each day lost its necessity with all of the other necessary routines that are more highly prioritized in my life. So posting weekly seems much more manageable. Instead of focusing on documenting the creative that I make, or that is within my home, I will be choosing seven things that come to me that feed my creativity and wonder. The selections will continue to include what comes from a closer range (my art, the creative in our home, my work as a teacher) but also from the wider world (news bits and inspiration in the forms of art, fashion, ideas, music). What are the things that come into my life, within the span of a week, that validate who I am, my values; that make me think; that make me want to create (art, food, action, home life); that I admire; that ignite a spark within?
The objective remains in alignment with my initial goal of simply noticing, being aware of and in tune with the food for creativity consistently presenting itself. I hope that you enjoy the weekly offering of seven seeds. May you sow a few of them.
HK, January 2011
I decided this year to take a sort of break from making. Each day I will notice.
This is inspired by the book The Accidental Masterpiece: The Art of Life and Vice Versa by Michael Kimmelman. By artists like Barry McGee who said, "Compelling art to me is a name carved into a tree. Sometimes a rock soaring through a plate of glass can be the most beautiful, compelling work of art I have ever seen." By a realization of how long I have enjoyed, am inspired by noticing the art (textures, lines, color, composition) and creativity that occurs serendipitously, without intention. Without me lifting a finger, it has been made for me to notice. The yellow balloon, bouncing against two tractor trailer trucks as they travel side by side down the highway. The patchwork of paint covering up graffiti in a tunnel in New Haven. The plans my 8 year-old nephew creates for a computer chip, and a Halloween costume. The intricate constellations of freckles on my mother’s and my sister’s faces. I won’t quit making things entirely but rather I am giving some due time and reflection to recording what I notice. I am certain that this slowing down, this concentrated noticing, will feed what I create with more sincerity. I am trying to let go of how much art I often feel the need to create. Absorbing art unexpectedly seems almost as gratifying to me.
Maybe it will also inspire some others to notice the subtlety of art and creativity in their everyday lives.
This is my project for the year. We will see how it goes.
HK 2010
