Lately, I've been thinking more and more about how I miss collaborative creativity...
The idea of being part of something bigger than myself.
The way that every job, no matter how small, is essential to the final outcome.
The notion that I'm always more creative in a group setting, bouncing around concepts and themes off of other people rather than a blank canvas (or computer screen).
The fact that I haven't done much creative stuff lately and some of my skills are getting rusty!
The desire to learn from other people and share the work rather than taking orders or giving them.
I would love to try to get together some kind of artist collective or group project. I know many of you have had the same thoughts and we keep vaguely referencing the idea, but we never follow-through. Maybe it's about time to start! Here are some of the thoughts I have on what this group could look like:
1. We could find a time and space to meet semi-regularly just to do our own individual art/creative projects. This would be a more loosely organized meeting where we can come and go as we can, and not necessarily work on a common project, though it might provide a space where something like that may eventually occur.
2. If someone has a particular project they'd like to collaborate on, like an art piece, a movie, or strange performance art, we can focus on that and start meeting to bounce ideas and work on it.
3. Or if people aren't ready to do a group thing, I could join in on a preexisting group...work with a community theatre performance/set-building/etc...work on a movie someone's working on...do an ad hoc band for an open mic.
If any of this appeals to you, or if you know of someone who needs help with a movie or theatre thing, please let me know by commenting on this message here!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, May 01, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Hmm, we need to try something different here...
We need to try to stop doing this:
http://www.theweek.com/cartoons/index/92697/Democrats_Republicans_and_the_economic_crisis
http://www.theweek.com/cartoons/index/92697/Democrats_Republicans_and_the_economic_crisis
Monday, January 19, 2009
Rights vs Reconciliation
On this MLK Day, I had very little time to think about the accomplishments of the late Martin Luther King Jr. I didn't have the day off, so I wasn't really able to do any service projects or commemorative events.
However I had the chance to think a little bit about reconciliation. It occurs to me that the Civil Rights movement, as important and vital as it was, only hit the tip of the iceburg of the original issue. Call it racism, sexism, or any other "-ism." This problem is misunderstanding. It's fear of the unknown which leads to division. Then filling in the gaps of what is unknown with walls that keep the divisions set in place. We do all manner of hurtful things to each other and keep adding more bricks to the wall.
We can set up governmental programs and create laws to enforce basic human rights, which is a great step forward (don't get me wrong) and much needed. But people will keep wanting to stick up the bricks, no matter how many walls we try to tear down. Reconciliation, is a step beyond. It's where two parties come to a voluntary understanding. Where they humble themselves on both sides. Where both are willing to see their faults (tear down their own walls) and misunderstanding and try to work for each other's good. Reconciliation is a heart change. You can't enforce it from the outside...it has to come from within.
Humans will continue to alienate themselves from each other...we've been doing it from the beginning of our existence (take the Garden of Eden, alienation from God - from people - AND from creation). I do believe that there is hope. With God's strength, we can learn to be humble and accept each other. It most likely won't be a great social movement like the one in the 60's - it is and will always be a small thing, inspired by small acts on a relationship t0 relationship basis.
Realize, this is not limited to concepts such as racism. We ALL alienate ourselves from each other, often our closest friends. We neglect to fulfill promises. We say a hurtful word. And one of the original sins - pride keeps us from mending our relationships.
I pray that God will break us of this pride so we can see into other people's situations...so we can truly reconcile: not begrudgingly give in to a set of principles, but to truly value each and every person. I think that's the dream that Dr. King was talking about.
However I had the chance to think a little bit about reconciliation. It occurs to me that the Civil Rights movement, as important and vital as it was, only hit the tip of the iceburg of the original issue. Call it racism, sexism, or any other "-ism." This problem is misunderstanding. It's fear of the unknown which leads to division. Then filling in the gaps of what is unknown with walls that keep the divisions set in place. We do all manner of hurtful things to each other and keep adding more bricks to the wall.
We can set up governmental programs and create laws to enforce basic human rights, which is a great step forward (don't get me wrong) and much needed. But people will keep wanting to stick up the bricks, no matter how many walls we try to tear down. Reconciliation, is a step beyond. It's where two parties come to a voluntary understanding. Where they humble themselves on both sides. Where both are willing to see their faults (tear down their own walls) and misunderstanding and try to work for each other's good. Reconciliation is a heart change. You can't enforce it from the outside...it has to come from within.
Humans will continue to alienate themselves from each other...we've been doing it from the beginning of our existence (take the Garden of Eden, alienation from God - from people - AND from creation). I do believe that there is hope. With God's strength, we can learn to be humble and accept each other. It most likely won't be a great social movement like the one in the 60's - it is and will always be a small thing, inspired by small acts on a relationship t0 relationship basis.
Realize, this is not limited to concepts such as racism. We ALL alienate ourselves from each other, often our closest friends. We neglect to fulfill promises. We say a hurtful word. And one of the original sins - pride keeps us from mending our relationships.
I pray that God will break us of this pride so we can see into other people's situations...so we can truly reconcile: not begrudgingly give in to a set of principles, but to truly value each and every person. I think that's the dream that Dr. King was talking about.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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