Friday, January 22, 2010

Razor's Edge: weekly feature

Each Friday I am going to post a set of prompts for you. This may include videos, music, words, puzzles. Use one or all to create something - it may be a response to what you see or the prompt may be lead you far away from where you are now. Each week there will be a different theme, and I will aim to touch different senses, the spirit, the body, the mind. The prompts may be intended to provoke or soothe or challenge or merely raise your muse to guide you further on your creative path.

Today I'm starting with the concept of Wabi Sabi. I wasn't going to go there with this first issue. But, there you are. That is where my muse led me and so, I am following her today.

Architect Tadao Ando described Wabi Sabi as
The Japanese view of life embraced a simple aesthetic
that grew stronger as inessentials were eliminated
and trimmed away.

With that in mind, I offer you the following as inspiration points to leap with:


PHOTO...
..... ......... ....... As I approached ....



VIDEO ....

......There was a sound behind me as I sat down...



CHARACTER ...
She stood taller than almost everyone around her
Straight blond hair, wispy on the edges, lifted by the wind against her cheeks
The first hat she ever knit for herself tugged tightly onto her head
Sand colored khakis, with a carpenter's loop at her left knee
Pockets bulging with coins and receipts and photo ID


If you're coming up blank, look at each prompt above for a couple seconds. Then gently close your eyes and let your head roll forward to a comfortable position. Let the images and words sweep past you, enter you, choose one. Then open your eyes and write. Or draw/collage/paint if your hands and spirit take you in that direction. Or stand up and dance; manipulate the keys on the piano; run your hands through the clay.

The only "rule" is to let your self be guided and don't force. Creativity will happen.

Take 7 -10 minutes. Then pause and look at what you've done. If you feel you need to keep going - by all means do.

And if you'd like to share what you've created, send them my way and I will add them in.

Enjoy!