Creativity & The Self: A Short Essay

Introduction

The connection between creativity and values is ongoing and progressive. Critical realism is the super-highway in which perspective, understanding, and creativity lend to one another’s broadening of horizons. In turn, this broadening gives birth to, and revives both new and refined expression. Like values; art works, poetry, and other forms of creativity possess a level of being that is unique, and distinct. In essence, values and creativity surpass that which is merely a “use object.” This is a term borrowed from the remarkable Hannah Arendt piece by Joanna Bottenberg. What matters to an artist will manifest in his or her creativity the most. Be it music, poetry, sculpture, painting, woodworking, acting, stand-up comedy, or even preaching! All these are treasures that stem from an individuals innermost dimension of thought and desire, a place that no one else can determine the underlying value factors that initiate the form and direction of any given creation.

Creativity is what can speak beyond the transparency of language and into the materiality of it as well. The insights give a direction for all to move in, leading to the point where one acquires a set of new questions. In the Bible, the book of Matthew quotes Jesus saying, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21, NKJV). This verse is an excellent delineation in correlating the connection between values and creativity. The facets presented will be the non-negotiable essential of coming to recognize one’s values in order to release the creative self. Next, will be the element of legacy, which surpasses the human life span carrying out words and images that will forever inspire humankind to take actions. Lastly, will be the crucial correlation between value and creativity, in which we will see that each will cease to exist in its fullest capacity without one another.

One’s Values

Just like values, art works along with other forms of creativity possess a level of being that is unique, distinct, and in essence, surpassing that which is a “use object”. One will write, create, or compose under the influence of the heart. Value, which dwells in the innermost bed of the heart is the underlying factor which determines the form, and direction of all creative works. Right or wrong has little or no relevance to value in creation. One can create out of hatred and spite because even these can dwell in the heart of humankind. However, in the positive light, one can also express, proclaim, or protest for what is right such as social justice, freedom, and love.

There is nothing that speaks louder than the power of conviction! It enables humankind to be brave enough to express regardless to whether the grain of society may move in the opposite direction! Conviction and values go hand in hand. It is a personal matter that cannot be determined by any factor that is outside the very person. Although factors such as surroundings, religion, and culture may have influence in shaping the person. Nonetheless, it is the individual that renders to be of value. In turn, value manifests in the creative works of the creator

Legacy

Creation has the awesome power of outliving the creator. A legacy that is open for admiration, love, hate, or offense for the generations to come. For example, Leonardo Da Vinci’s portrait of the Mona Lisa still lives on in all its mystery and wonder for the eyes of millions to see and converse about. Her (and to some, his) face has become a logo for a popular ice cream company, and even duplicated endless times to fit the décor of many homes, offices, and cafes throughout the world! We may even see this form of legacy through The Doors lead singer Jim Morrison. Long after his death, we still have people calling radio stations all over the world requesting to hear the lyrics sung by Jim Morrison. His music, life, and ways were even intriguing enough to make a motion picture about the band, which in actuality centered on Morrison after some twenty years after his death! Jim Morrison’s persona was demonstrated through the avenue of his creative self. This is the element that marked him in the eyes of many to be legendary.

After the years pass, and the seasons change most will not recall neither Leonardo Da Vinci’s nor Jim Morrison’s height, eye color, or favorite food! It is what they left behind as creators that most come to associate with their names. Whether it is a portrait, a song, or some other creative expression. It can also be the moment, time, and way someone encounters a creation that impacts and inspires them to look beyond what their horizons were prior to that moment. The moment that ones horizon suddenly got a little bigger.

Correlation Between Creativity And Value

Creativity’s need for the inspiration of values is inevitable. Rhetorically speaking, Can creation exist without being a form of expression? Can the element of expressing “be” without the input of ones own values or what the individual renders noteworthy? Noteworthy to whom? Once again, is it not the individual that is creating? If so, is not what is rendered to be noteworthy derive from ones own personal values? So can it be that value has everything to do with creation? In this light, one clearly concludes that value has everything to do with creativity. If one were to put their personal values aside in creating, it would still require the value of being open-minded! Therefore, value has absolutely everything to do with creativity. Without it, creativity is paralyzed from the essence of its being. A being that speaks to, and inspires individuals on both a social, and a personal level!

Conclusion

The rise of creativity and its evolution is due to the ongoing development and change that is caused by humankind’s criterion for value. As the number of people that have come and gone continually increases every single moment, so does the number of individual insights and creations. The more insights we encounter, the greater in size and options this “super-highway” gets! The mirage the eye stretches to look at suddenly finds a curve, or perhaps an option to turn in a direction that has never been seen prior to this moment! In turn, where one winds up going and not going has a lot to do with what they see and give. What is given is out of what you have and know. What you have and know is what has been acquired. What is acquired is what has been singled out and distinguished as noteworthy to the individual. This is determined by personal value, what is not considered worthy of acknowledging is often left out or disregarded. It is what is noted on the top-most level of value that “makes the cut” into a creative work since it is impossible to fit all into the frame of limited space or time.

Furthermore, the finite eye, ear, mind, and imagination cannot fathom all that there is to grasp which is perhaps why the element of value plays the role of a filter in many ways. Joanna Bottenberg quotes Hannah Arendt saying, “It is a poet’s task to coin the words we live by” (Poets and the Public Realm, pg 99). I believe that this quote is not only applicable to poetry, but also to art, music, and many other forms of creativity as well. Like value, the individual determines creativity. Horizons to a creator are like stars beyond the sky that we are all forever vertically challenged in reaching.

Welcome To The RAM-PAGE

Hi Everyone,

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