"I can remember the time I was a kaleidoscope. How the snow distorted the image of what was only one of you and I didn't know which one to address as all your lips moved. What I saw was how the hills cherished their ambition, attempt to turn into partial differential equations. How they all wanted to become something of their own. Just like I did." RSG
The exhausting idea of creativity, the act of attempting to harness what may seem the last scrape of individuality can burden the purest soul. Eventually, even the most grounded individuals face the notion of creative ineptitude. Focusing on the one aspect of them self they think will detonate a blast of exposure. It seemed impossible to me earlier in life that there was nothing I can do to differentiate myself from other kids full of angst. I was destined to be one of them, null and void, with out a prolific emphasis. It was only in my early twenties when I realized what I needed to do, to brake my self from personal wall of creativity. To call on my direction towards a creative path I had to draw from others. With the climate of music, art, and media it seems we may be finally breaking that curse that has plagued us for what seems like way to long. It is the fusion of culture and inverse realities that are producing some of the most original stuff my generation has seen.
Street Art, PoP Art and styles alike have bombarded the scene in the last several years with some of the most amazing cultural, influential and memorable pieces it has ever seen. Shepard Fairey, started plastering stickers and stencils all over Charleston, South Carolina, 15 years ago. Which catapulted his infamous images of Andre The Giants face to be the figure of one of the top selling urban fashion clothing lines across the world, coined "Obey Giant." Recently, and most notably was his inspirational renderings of President Obama's face. Tastefully expressed with the colors of our flag, with a youthful sensibility. Point being he drew from the current of politics, a nation sick of a war, tired with and administration they saw no progress in and saw something positive in a change promised by Obama, to create a piece that will transcend our generation.
It doesn't end with Fairey. Street art phenom Banksy does exactly the same. Drawing from his personal ideals on corporate thugs, mischievous politicians and misleading leaders, to create powerful messages conveying resistance using genius stencil designs.
Music has reaped the benefits in surmounting scales. If you look at who is on top right now you will see what platform they are running to acquire such attention. Lady GaGa for instance has compiled quite possibly the biggest following of any Bill Board artist the past few years. Say what you will about her music, that it mimics that of early Madonna or antics of Cher, but she is completely original in the fact that she essentially carries a majority, or what seems like it, of the gay/lesbian community. Not to mention other idealistic reform issues she constantly includes in her lyrics and staged press conferences. She is drawing from the diversity in our society and creating art from what is projected back to her. It is evident and notably a main reason she is the top contender in pop music.
The media has with out a doubt taken advantage of the diversity and dichotomy of this society and morphed it into the most responsive outlet for all sorts of awareness. Social networking sites (Face Book), blog sites (Tumblr), special interest forums, magazines, radio and television have all regained a sense of sincerity and legitimacy once again. With so many new media entrepreneurs in viral web based production, shows like The Daily Show, with John Stewart, Anderson Cooper 360, and the onslaught of new talents breaking honest and new ground in delivering the news. Virtually every individual is covered and can relate to a variety of hosts. Again, media this time is reaching out to its audience and included the influence in the creative production process.
The fact remains, the creative world and artistry is begging for more out the individual trying to make a name for them self. "Who are you? What are you saying?" seem to be more important now than ever. The driving factor in determining who we choose to acknowledge and appreciate in producing what we perceive exceptional art, an outlet not for the faint of heart, a process of integrity and compassion. Artistry has regained its proper platform and its the convergence of sincerity towards the masses.
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