Arts

The “trackmaster” of the arts track was the International Theatre of Amsterdam (ITA), where we went two times (and a half: we were supposed to see “Vallende Man” (in english: Falling Man) which in the end we watched online). During our two visits we got a tour through the entire building and talked to the assistant director of “Vallende Man”, Daniel ‘t Hoen. We discussed topics such as how to achieve creativity when bringing a script to stage. The director of “Vallende Man”, Julien Gosselin, for example works towards the final staging by leaving out particular elements in order to create room for imagination. In practice this means he might leave out lighting during a dancing scene in order to be able to better work on the dancing or to gain a new perspective on what type of lighting would fit best. Daniel himself told us he would go through magazines to get inspired by articles or pictures he finds appealing. Finally, we discussed the role of theatre in society. Among the rather obvious reasons to provide entertainment, theatre can become political if it holds up a mirror to society and reflects on current developments in society.

Relevance for society of creativity in the field of arts

What we can take from this experience for other endeavours in life and society

From our experience at ITA, the arts explore different ways to use elements and means in our environment to create the best outcome for our goals.. This idea of making elements of a creative endeavour the central focus can teach us a practical approach to any process that involves creativity (which, if you look closely, are manifold). Be it solving a problem, opening a business or learning engaging in a craft.

One first identifies the elements that can have a role in the process. In other words, one analyses the environment surrounding a certain activity, then becomes aware of all available tools one can utilize. For a theatre production think of stage, decor, actors, technology, etc. For other examples, see our personal memo’s below.

Then, one engages with one’s vision, purpose or goal of the process by applying the elements in different ways to see what works. This involves both adapting the elements to one’s goal, and free experimenting with the elements - allowing oneself to be surprised with the outcome (after all, we usually don’t know exactly how elements work together). We could call this the dynamic interplay of purpose and elements. Of course, as the process continues and one becomes more aware with the elements, one can adapt one’s goal.

In adding, eradicating and modifying these elements, we recognise the value of what we have while at the same time being open to new possibilities, combinations and outcomes.

"I want to apply the idea of working with the elements of a creative endeavour to learning a piece of music. Assuming one has some skill on an instrument, one can identify the different elements of the music - the notes, the volume, the speed, your intuition - and play the piece in each possible alteration of the elements. Of course one has an idea of what they want it to sound like, perhaps depending on the composer, your taste and directions on the page. But being able to play it each possible way strengthens the grasp on the piece and stretches the imagination. It also allows for new possible ways of playing it to arise. In conclusion, with this approach one can put the elements together so that it fits with one’s taste, with an idea of how the composer envisioned it, and with the atmosphere and mood of the moment."

"I really enjoy exploring different ways in which I can use my coding skills to produce creative output. To do this, I often take a traditional element (e.g. a poem) which I would like to visualise through digital means, and try to explore the different programming languages, software and algorithms that might help me in the process. Then I make a choice and start experimenting. I explore what others have done using the algorithm/language, try to put my ideas into code, and tweak and manipulate the code to output the result I want. I feel the digital world opens up a great amount of possibilities, giving traditional art a novel and interesting twist."

"I seek to apply the elements of creativity to my passion, analysing music. Unlike many creative aspirations that place focus on your own creative world, analysing other people's music requires you to manipulate your thoughts to understand the musician's intentions. An endless journey to mastering one's creativity."

Final thought before you go back out into the world

Creativity is what innovates, for oneself or in a field of art, the ways to get from inspiration to the product. When times and technology change, space for creativity opens up. But creativity can already be used to build on the limitations of the ways that have been established. That which is implies that which is not. And someone who is creative dares to consider a path that is not (yet) to get to the product. I think the ultimate task, then, is to see the value of what is and - admitting its limitations when they are pointed out - thinking and experimenting in spaces (mental and artistic) that are not yet.