DAILY MUSE | Feeling a little low today, and lacking inspiration, I decided to Google “creativity” and clicked on the video listings. I came across a link that brought me to several videos by Tony Buzan, apparent creator of the mind-mapping technique. These were a series short and very basic videos, but they offer something of a positive value, because after watching a few I felt noticeably brighter, clearer and more upbeat. Here is on “How to Concentrate”. After watching it, I’m no longer a creative problem solver. I’m now a creative solution finder.
DAILY MUSE | Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the release of The Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” in Britian. Today is the 40th of its release in the US. In honor of it, and the immense creativity offered by The Beatles over the years they were together, I offer links to various Sgt. Pepper homages.
Documentary called “The Making of Sgt. Pepper”
A mini documentary done on the 20 year anniversary
The portion of the ABC’s ‘Revolutions’ documentary regarding the album
Paul discussing the album
More dicussion about the creative backgound of the album
Paul and Bono’s version at Live 8
Kelly Clarkson’s version on Americn Idol. I have to say, she does have a killer voice
Animated version of the Sgt. Pepper song from the movie ‘Yellow Submarine’
Cover Art outakes
ABC News report yesterday
Another News Report
Here’s a real trip… a Japanese Beatles tribute band
I’m spending the night in tribute listening to my brother Jay’s band “The British Beat” playing at the Central Cafe in Palinville, CT. He’s ‘Ringo’. My brother Terry just got asked to join the band as ‘George’, although he is not playing tonight. If anyone is in the area, come on out an join us. It’s a fun evening of sing-along.
DAILY MUSE | Sorry everyone! Between recovering from my computer problem, formatting and gettting my new computer up to speed, ever present work loads and general spring fever (enjoyed greatly with the top down in the driver seat of my new Miata) I’ve been spending time away from the blog. Spring has been gorgeous. And I have never so much looked forward to the summer as much I am am right now– everytime I get in my little convertible I feel like I’m on vacation. I’ve been much more apt to go out for a cruise than sit inside and write a post. Nonethelss, I am henceforth rededicating my efforts towards this blog… yeah I know I said that before… but I really mean it this time.
DAILY MUSE | Neko Case’s “Hold On, Hold On” is one of my favorite songs from last year. The studio recording and something about her voice give it the feel of 1960’s pop classic– one of those songs that sound inevitable. Here it is sung live.
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DAILY MUSE | Sad news today. Connecticut’s own Sol Lewitt, modernist, minimalist and conceptual artist, died Sunday due to complications from cancer. Best known for his Wall Drawing series– those grandly scaled, vividly colorful drawings integrated into architectural spaces filling the frame of walls from edge to edge– he remained constant in his themes throughout his career; geometric and repetitive shapes, timeless childlike constructs on paper or in “structures” (as he referred to his sculptural work) that almost seemed obvious or inevitable. Their simplicity conjures up a sense of “I can do that!”. Not in that horrid, insulting way that is often applied to artists, but in the best sense… in that it offers permission and confidence to a viewer to step in and do it too. In that respect, his work always inspires creativity.
Lewitt’s work, while part of the minimalist and conceptual schools of thought which often inspire work so heavily intellectual that it can alienate viewers, never had that effect on me. His work was always humble and joyful– never pretentious.
Please enjoy some images of an enviable oeuvre from a masterful artist.
THE DAILY MUSE 