Flash Forward

When I first started this blog, one of my goals was to highlight creativity in the international, national, and local spotlight. I realize I have been a little lax in the last area.

I hope this post makes up for that. On Friday, I attended the opening of Flash Forward at SPACES here in Cleveland. Well, me and about several hundred other also people attended. This is the first time I've been to an opening here that was so crowded I could barely enjoy the art.

However, I did have a chance to check out works by two up and coming artists, each who use traditional materials in very non-traditional and creative ways.

(Jon Nathaniel Cotterman Images )

The first is Jon Nathaniel Cotterman, a local artist working in glass. What is so interesting about his work lies in the way he deconstructs glass goblets. Cotterman reuses the pieces to create box-like sculptures transforming their original decorative and utilitarian purpose into art.


(Yumiko Goto Image )

The other artist is Yumiko Goto. She works in ceramics and her work is based on nature. One of her most stunning pieces is an installation of many ceramic containers nestled together to create a new larger piece of art that you can move around and admire.

• What could you create out of ordinary materials?

Seth Godin on Creativity

(Image from SethGodin.com)

Earlier this week marketing guru and blogger, Seth Godin made an interesting creativity analogy: creativity as a stretched sweatshirt.

His claim is that creativity is about getting to the edges, much like every time you wear your favorite sweatshirt it stretches and the edges become larger.

So why is this useful to creatively solving problems? Here's Godin's take:

1. If you want to be creative, understand that you'll need to get to the edges, even if the edges have moved. Being creative means immediately going to the place the last person left off.

2. If you are "not creative," if you are the sort of person that gets uncomfortable being creative or has been persuaded you're not capable, don't worry about it. Just stretch the sweatshirt in your spare time, watch the creative things other people have done, keep up with the state of the art. Then, when you do your "not creative" thing, most people will think it's pretty creative indeed.

• This week try to find your creative edges.

What's Your Favorite Arts Destination?

American Style Magazine wants to know which US cities have the best contemporary art scenes. Each year, the magazine lets readers select their top arts destination in the United States.

This year they are even giving a $500 travel certificate to one lucky voter.

Votes must be in by January 31, 2009.

• Vote Now!

2009 Creativity Events

Last year, I posted about creativity retreats, where you could learn a new craft, art form or delve into your artistic passion.

This year, thanks to the International Forum of Creativity Organizations, you can explore all the facets of creativity from:

1. Problem Solving


2. Innovation in Management


3. World Future
   

• Check out the entire IFCO list for 2009.

European Year of Creativity and Innovation

This year marks the beginning of a celebration of creativity and innovation in Europe. Just launched this week in Prague, the goal is:

"to raise awareness of importance of creativity and innovation for personal, social and economic development, to disseminate good practices, stimulate education and research, and promote policy debate and development."

The year will address a variety of issues around creativity and innovation including:

• fostering artistic and other forms of creativity through pre-school, primary and secondary education including vocational streams, as well as non-formal and informal education
• cultural diversity as a source of creativity and innovation
• promoting innovation as the route to sustainable development
• regional and local development strategies based on creativity and innovation

Several conferences and events are planned throughout Europe during 2009 to spark discussions on creativity and innovation and to promote its benefits.

• Learn more about the EU's Year of Creativity and Innovation

When Are You Most Creative?

So, when is your most creative time? I've discovered that mine is at night. More like the middle of the night. I've found that I do my best thinking and come up with more ideas when I wake up in the middle of the night. It's not then that the ideas percolate, but rather during the time that I am tossing and turning, trying to get back to sleep.

In the past, like most people, I would lie awake worrying. But then last year, I started to use that time more productively. I began actively focusing on ideas I was working through and that's when the real creativity started.

I've come up with some of my best ideas during this time. And of course, I get up and jot down notes, because I know that once morning comes, they might be gone for good.

• Try this fun quiz to see when other people are at their most creative.

How to Think Creatively

(Margan Zajdowicz image)

It's a skill that all of us use, yet a skill all of us could probably improve. Thinking creatively can help us not only create art but guide us through our daily lives. That's why I love this list of 50 Ways to Think Creatively.

Here are my favorites from the list:

1. Be curious - wonder about things
2. Surround yourself with diverse types of people
3. Live in terms of exploration and discovery, not just solutions or right answers
4. Use visual, metaphorical and analogical thinking - not just analytical
5. Embrace, rather than avoid, ambiguity as an essential part of the creative process

Plus some that I plan to explore and experiment with in the new year:

1. Take improv theater classes to feel more comfortable creating in real time
2. Use different types of music in the background while thinking
3. Surround yourself with life-giving and inspiring people, images and objects
4. Meditate - cultivate presence and mindfulness
5. Give your Creative Self space, time and attention

• What are your favorite ways to think creatively?