by G E Barr

Created on: May 21, 2010   Last Updated: May 22, 2010

Creativity is a life force, which varies in amounts from person to person.  It manifests itself in the arts, architecture, socializing, familial tradition, and in the human need to survive, as well as achieve one's personal purpose.

Of course, creativity is not a dying art.  It isn't even an art.  It is an urge at its most base sense.  It is quite a friend of the intellect and emotional self.  Imagine if you will, not being able to imagine a sweet little baby, chubby, maybe 8 months old with a shock of dark hair and rosy cheeks.  What if that baby were central to the pivot of your story line?  Now, imagine seeing the most fantastic and gloriously beautiful images in your mind and not knowing how to paint them.  Or having the urge to paint them.

Creativity is that vital element which created the physical Miranda Priestley.  First in the imagination of Lauren Weisburger, who wrote the novel, The Devil Wears Prada.  Then came David Frankel, the director.  And of course, the wonderfully talented, Meryl Streep.  The art, in this case is writing, directing and acting.  All of these endeavors require creativity.  A particular sort of creativity, though those involved might be multi-talented.

Again, I assert, creativity is not an art.  It, on the other hand produces art.

Are people becoming less creative?  Not really.  I think that art is being cheapened, diluted.  Hulled out and made "safe."  Keeping everybody happy is a tough chore and it will stymie creativity.  Real art makes a statement, much like a polynomial.  What that statement is cannot be dictated.  It must be subjectively experienced.  Unlike algebra, which has rules, art is a very wide open endeavor.  It is the finished product of creativity. 

It might say something like, New York squared times political deception equals conservative propaganda.  Or it may be even more profoundly and hauntingly beautiful.  A mere work of beauty which blesses the eyes and soul, taps at euphoric nuance.

Creativity is very much a part of the human experience.  Unfortunately, it is not always met with appreciation or tolerance.  Sometimes, even the artist doesn't understand it. 

Human beings are naturally tillers of the soil.  Planters.  Reflectors.  Gardens are paintings on the earth and very rewarding to the inner self, pleasing passersby.

No, creativity is not a dying art.  It is a suffering condition and always has been.

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