Tuesday 28 October 2014

Collaborative Project with Allison Padilla-Alexander comparison with creativity in Fine Art and graphic design


 

I interviewed Allison Padilla-Alexander as part of my blog project to high light creativity around us. She is a blend of an aspiring fine artist/ craftswoman and a young graphic designer. A common perception has been that creativity is different in the different art forms but as Allison correctly identifies creativity is one and the same to every artform, it is just the medium that is different.


What is your involvement with the arts? 


My involvement with the arts is represented by my drawings, craft projects and Graphic Designs using the computer. 


Where do you get your creative ideas from to do your artwork?
I get my creative ideas for my artwork by brain storming, drawing thumb nails and sometimes by observing the environment and taking time to notice the unknown.

What do you think creativity is to a visual artist?
I think that creativity to a visual artist is much more than just seeing, it is more about forming and picturing an image in your mind and being able to execute the image in the way in which you visualize it.

What are the main differences if any between the creativity of a fine artist (drawing and painting) and a graphic designer?
I don't think there are any differences between a fine artist and a graphic designer’s creativity.The difference would stem from the different media by which they execute their artwork. 

Do you as an artist think that creativity is any better achieved in any artform such as design vs a painter or dancer or musician?
I think that creativity has no limit. One can be critical of a piece of artwork from a designer or a painter, some might say that one is better than the other but that is a matter of personal preference and it is up to the eyes of the beholder to acknowledge the true creativity of the artists.
 



Friday 24 October 2014

Collaborative project with Leston Paul: A creative comparison study



Leston Paul and I collaborated on each other's blog, I interviewed him to compare creativity in the different fields of art other than visual art and he interviewed me as a fine artist


 Here is my interview with Leston Paul who is a student completing a degree in graphic designs. He considers himself a young designer, an artist, an actor as well as a photograph and  pageant model.

        What do you think creativity means to a performing artist?
In my opinion, Creativity is the foundation of any artist, and more so a performing artist. As a performing artist, your job is to be creative. To bring a story to life; this means taking the words from a book or a script and giving an illusion to an audience, making them believe that what they see on a stage or even via film is happening for real. 

3        What is creativity to a visual artist?

As a visual artist, creativity is using your imagination, to think outside of the box and being able to look at things from a new perspectives. In my opinion it is a mental process involving the generation of new ideas or concepts, or developing new associations between existing ideas or concepts. Creativity is an artist's personal expression where he or she is not being bound to confirm to rules, customs or norms.

      What are the main differences if any between the creativity of a visual artist and a performing artist?
The difference between the creativity of a visual artist and a performing artist are very slim. As a performing artist your role is to motivate, inspire and move an audience on the spot. When a performing artist has a role to play, his/her job is to persuade, with emotion, movements and sounds which will create for the audience a scenario that has or has not happened. 
As an actor playing the role of an abused boy, the actor was allowed to be very creative with his acting, his different tones of voice, his posture, his mannerisms and sometimes appearance. As a performing artist your job is to keep the audience's attention for the length of time you are on that stage. Therefore your creativity is seen in your ability to make your audience react such as laugh or cry as well as to convey the message of the script by bringing it to life in such as way that an audience can relate to is always important.

 However as a visual artist, the viewer does not see the thoughts of the artist or designer. The viewer can only imagine from the work what the artist/ designer has displayed and what he or she is trying to say to the audience. However his/ her creativity is different from that of a performing artist. As a visual artist you can act either as a social revolutionary, highlighting injustices and inciting the viewer to change their behaviour or become more aware of injustice. 
To others not involved with a creative field, creativity would appear very impractical; however it serves as vital nourishment to the human spirit, providing us with an avenue to explore our world and provide truths that more practical endeavours can sometimes obscure. 

       Do you as an artist think that creativity is any better achieved in any artform?
It is my opinion that creativity cannot be taught. However it can be nurtured. It is either we are born as creatives or not. As an artist I don’t believe that I have to be a certain type of artist/ designer to be considered creative. All artists find their spark which highlights their creativity. Your creativity may come suddenly, but it can be enhanced and sustained. However as artist no matter the type of art form, we should be positive, and have an open mind for ideas and be honest with ourselves. 

Thank You Leston for sharing your ideas.

Thursday 23 October 2014

Creative patterns.



Shubh Divali

Creativity was in evidence in the 3 dimensional forms that bent bamboo was used to create a medium that when you see in its natural landscape it is difficult to imagine that it can be so pliable. I attended the Mid Centre competition of creative Divali presentations and I was amazed by the innovation and creativity displayed at this exhibition. 




Divali is the festival of lights a Hindu festival that commemorates good over evil, considered one of the grandest of all Indian festivals. During this time I was amazed by the creativity that is abundant everywhere.



These creative craftsmen constructed boats, light houses, water wheels, Hannoman ( the monkey God) sculptures and wind mills all lighted with clay deyas.





The creatively designed fabrics were adorned with the beautiful intricate Eastern motifs seen on the many different Eastern styled clothing that was worn by children, men and women these last few days.
These intricate motifs are repeated in the Mehndi/henna designs, on the architectural floats, jewelery and fabrics. The designs are painted, woven or beaded on these surfaces. These motifs are traditional and symbolic of Divali such as the ‘Rangoli’.
The creatively symbolic use of these western motifs add to the mood of festivity that is an intrinsic part of the festival of lights.