About eight years ago, I was studying the MA(Writing) when a required activity was to review an object of art. Finally, after seeing a lecture and several readings about art, I chose a wooden salt box my brother gave me. I loved the creativity in its history, because he made it as a replica of one my mother used throughout the years of our childhood. Also, I chose it because of what it meant to me as I reflected on the piece. There were the family relationships with their ups and downs, the precise timber work in its construction, and the memories it evoked. For these reasons, it belonged in the realm of creative arts.
The Nature of Art
After posting my review for discussion, a fellow student responded with the comment that it was craft, not art. So, as she used dance for her review, I replied that for me the salt box was art. Just as her choice for her was art, to somebody else it could just be dance.
Even though a brief conversation, it made me think about the nature of art and what it meant to me. My subsequent research into academic studies on the nature of art added complexity to the issue. Ultimately, I learned there are various concepts of art drawn from historical through to modern theories. I was unable to find a satisfactory definitive answer.
The Role of Creativity in Creative Arts
On the other hand, I had spent most of my life enjoying handicrafts. I then added postgraduate studies in writing to my skills and my focus turned from the question of art to examining creativity. Consequently, in my research project for the MA(Writing) I challenged my unconscious creativity to reduce risk aversion in my writing. I used multi-modal metaphors to describe a framework and link embroidered pictures with short stories. As a result, the combination of writing, design, and embroidery created new links and relationships between words, images, and threads.
The Concept of Random Gran
These experiences with art and creativity lead directly to the concept of Random Gran. I developed a desire to contribute to the creative arts, no matter how humble my efforts. Now, Random Gran emerges as an online presence to showcase my creations and reflect upon creativity. It is my way to reach out to like-minded people and hopefully engage in meaningful discussion. Learn more about the theme for Random Gran: words, images, threads.
Welcome to the inaugural Random Gran post. My hope is many more will follow, sharing my contribution to the creative arts.
Cheers Gran