Week 19
Walden
WaldenMay 16, 2010
There is an astonishing amount of talent, creativity and innovation in the world bubbling to the surface in the children of our culture. I was reminded of this at a Composers' Forum hosted by The Walden School. As described on the organization's website, Walden " is a summer music school and festival [held in Dublin, New Hampshire] offering programs that emphasize creative application, specifically through music improvisation and composition." This particular event featured alumni, current students and faculty at the school, with 5 composers' work being performed, and then discussed between the audience and composer with the help of moderators.
I believe we often make the mistake of thinking that truly brilliant, complex and creative work is the realm of adults. Children can be clever and smart, but ultimately are relegated to the kids table of the creative arts. At this performance and forum, I witnessed the performances of music by a 17 year old and an 11 year old with profound, thoughtful lyrics and complex, intuitively elegant composition.
Ancient wisdom of living for the now, and not worrying about a future that hasn't happened was represented in the lyrics of the 11 year old. Even if she has heard the idea, to be able to internalize, comprehend and express the idea in a new way signifies an intellectual maturity beyond many adults I know. She's pictured above giving direction to the pianist about to play her piece, (himself a Walden alumnus).
Children aren't bound by what "can't be done" because they don't know it can't be done. Imagination is commonplace among our children because being silly is ok. Creativity is nourished because they are praised for it and told how iventive they are. I wonder what would happen if that never stopped. Not just in pockets of industry where it's encouraged because it's a "creative job", not just in entertainment or marketing or the arts, but in engineering. In retail. In professional work and trades.... even *gasp*... government.
I suppose if nothing else, this is a nod of appreciation to organizations like Walden that foster creativity and take kids seriously...because they have seriously creative minds. It's also an encouragement to all of you out there... find a way to be creative. Be a kid again. Pick up that paint brush, that guitar, that invention you've got drawings stashed away for and never took the time to do anything about. Creative isn't limited to the arts. You can be a creative toll booth worker, or a creative receptionist, or mechanic or custodian... or doctor or lawyer. I firmly believe we were all created to be creative :).
Until next week....
image taken with a Canon, 24-70 2.8L @ 1/50sec, f/4.0, ISO 800
I believe we often make the mistake of thinking that truly brilliant, complex and creative work is the realm of adults. Children can be clever and smart, but ultimately are relegated to the kids table of the creative arts. At this performance and forum, I witnessed the performances of music by a 17 year old and an 11 year old with profound, thoughtful lyrics and complex, intuitively elegant composition.
Ancient wisdom of living for the now, and not worrying about a future that hasn't happened was represented in the lyrics of the 11 year old. Even if she has heard the idea, to be able to internalize, comprehend and express the idea in a new way signifies an intellectual maturity beyond many adults I know. She's pictured above giving direction to the pianist about to play her piece, (himself a Walden alumnus).
Children aren't bound by what "can't be done" because they don't know it can't be done. Imagination is commonplace among our children because being silly is ok. Creativity is nourished because they are praised for it and told how iventive they are. I wonder what would happen if that never stopped. Not just in pockets of industry where it's encouraged because it's a "creative job", not just in entertainment or marketing or the arts, but in engineering. In retail. In professional work and trades.... even *gasp*... government.
I suppose if nothing else, this is a nod of appreciation to organizations like Walden that foster creativity and take kids seriously...because they have seriously creative minds. It's also an encouragement to all of you out there... find a way to be creative. Be a kid again. Pick up that paint brush, that guitar, that invention you've got drawings stashed away for and never took the time to do anything about. Creative isn't limited to the arts. You can be a creative toll booth worker, or a creative receptionist, or mechanic or custodian... or doctor or lawyer. I firmly believe we were all created to be creative :).
Until next week....
image taken with a Canon, 24-70 2.8L @ 1/50sec, f/4.0, ISO 800
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