Creativity Flows in Two Directions

To be a creative person, whether it's writing or visual arts, creating or playing music, dance - I believe one commonality is that the creativity must go in two directions. We create our passions, our lives, our experiences and interpretations and those flow out into the world in whatever way is our own. But we also must have creativity flowing inward.

We must also be the audience, the reader, the viewer, the listener. We have to be refilled by things outside of us - by which I mean to be inspired and exposed and present in the world.

I know that some artists sometimes have to go inward or to retreat from the busy-ness which can consume our time and energy. But I also know that we have to go out and see what others are creating. It doesn't have to be in the same medium in which we create - but just to be witness to the process and product of others.

I believe it's good to step outside of only what we create and get inspiration from other mediums. To expose ourselves to, and sometimes to immerse ourselves in, something outside of our norm is good. It keeps us awake and aware.

And it keeps creativity flowing in as well as out.

On Friday I went to the final White Bird Uncaged performance of the season. I bought season tickets to all of the Uncaged series, as well as individual tickets to a couple of other shows. This performance was originally with a different group from outside of the US; but Visa and immigration issues cropped up which prevented them from being able to get here in time for the performances. White Bird tapped Illstyle & Peace Productions, a hip-hop dance company from Philadelphia as a replacement.

Even though hip-hop dance is something I've never done and never will, it was inspiring and, yes, creativity flowed inward. A couple of parts the movement and the energy was so strong that I had tears. Not crying because of narrative content or regret or anything negative - but tears of awe of the dance and the physicality and how the dancers worked together.

For me, watching dance can help to fill my creative tank. Often the most inspiring and the ones I respond to most are the ones I could never explain to another person; I don't even try. I respond to dance at a physical and emotional level - it's not something which passes through my logical brain. I may admire the skill and the movement - but I don't know what most of it is called and I don't even try to figure out the meaning. I react with my body and with my spirit. And my spirit is where my creativity lives.

What fills up your creativity? And where is the center of your creative response?

This is a video of Illstyle & Peace Produtions. I like that there are some pieces of performances, as well as information from the founder and choreographer. It does have captions, as well.

Enjoy!


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Of Standing Ovations and Performance

Last night I went to the Kidd Pivot performance of Crystal Pite's "Dark Matters." As with many dance performances, don't ask me, "what was it about?" because I can't really tell you. Which is less true with this than some dance performances, since there was a high theatrical element, especially in the first half. But my attempt to tell you what it was about would be my interpretation of what I experienced; not The Answer to What It Was.

They received a standing ovation, which I thought was appropriate and deserved. I'm not a fan of standing ovations as they are currently used: like big star musician's tour encores, they've become expected, rather than earned. Standing ovations have lost their meaning, almost. Or at least around here. I wonder if other places are experiencing the same phenomena or if this is another Pacific Northwest thing. Or maybe a Portlandia thing.

I can hear someone questioning who has the right to determine if an ovation is earned. I hear you. Or someone wondering if I'm supporting the idea of us all having to agree on what is or isn't good performance art/dance/theater. And if you know me then you know that's not what I mean, either. But there are questions for me about the validity of a standing ovation when 80% of the performances I go to get one. The value of it is lost if it happens all the time.

Have we lost the ability to know good art when we experience it? Or great art, skill, innovation, flow, and words? Or are we so starved for inspiration that "good enough" is enough; is experienced as exceptional because we are so worn down or yearning for cultural exposure that we want to uphold valiant efforts so we don't lose it all?

I don't have the answers and I know this may come off as snobbery. That is not my intention. However, the power of the standing ovation has been watered down when it happens almost all of the time. Like expecting the encore: you know there will be more so don't get upset when the band holds off on giving you their #1 classic/newest hit/signature song. You'll get it in the encore.

But Kidd Pivot's performance last night earned each pair of feet standing in the audience. Each clap of hands showed the power and skill and connection with the dancers. All of the performances I've seen in the White Bird Uncaged series have been good. This was exceptiontional. Immediately after the performance I posted a tweet: "It flowed, reaching into every cell, holding. Breath." Today that feeling remains.

This performance will stay with me. And I was happy to stand and applaud with my fellow traveler's on the "Dark Matters" journey.
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