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 | My bosses daughter, Nicole, lives in Philadelphia and works with a creative group that does film, print, advertising etc. They participated this year in the 48 Hour Film Project— a national contest in which teams have only 48 hours to write, produce, film and edit a 5 minute short film. Each team has to incorporate two of the same things: a particular character (this year it was home inspector, Kevin Oman- or something like that) and a particular prop (this year it was lotion).
This is their entry. It’s very clever, funny and well done. I’m amazed that they can pull this entire thing off in 48 hours– must have involved some all nighters. Watch for the lotion and the “K Man”. Nicole did the graphics at the beginning (pretty nifty) and end credits.
VIEWER ALERT | This film is for mature audiences only. It contains Strong Language and (Really Funny) Nudity.
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.
DAILY MUSE | Today I offer an inspiring and powerful quote from dancer/choreographer Martha Graham. Use it today– and everyday– to champion your creativity.
There is a vitality, a life-force, an energy, a quickening
that is translated through you into action
and because there is only one of you in all of time,
this expression is unique.
And if you block it, it will never exist
through any other medium and be lost.
THE DAILY MUSE 