Tag: creativity

creativity

Six Feet Under

six-feet-under.jpegThis morning I am working from a coffee shop in Downtown Mesa.  Usually when I work in public spaces (which I love) I have to put my headphones on and let my itunes library keep me focused on my work.  But today I forgot both my computer charger and my headphones and have had to the distraction of conversation and noise while working.

A few minutes ago, I couldn't help but overhear a group nearby talking about the HBO series "Six Feet Under".  Six Feet Under is my favorite television series and it's final episode moves me emotionally beyond what I have ever experienced by a single episode of TV.  Seeing the film, "Once" this week has got my mind racing about the possibilities of film/video as an art form that communicates in a way that no other form of art can.   The conversation I overheard today reminds me once again of that truth. 

If you haven't seen Six Feet Under, you must allow yourself the opportunity to get to know that characters, to become immersed in the story, and to wrestle with the inevitable reality of death, it's unpredictable approach and the fear it generates in us all. While this series is secular one, little focusing on the spiritual questions of death, for Kelli and I watching the series in it's entirety had a deeply spiritual impact on our lives and our own wrestlings with death.

The series is over, but you should be able to rent all five seasons worth at your local Blockbuster or via NetFlix if that's how you roll. Even better, your local public library might have it for free :).

Art at it’s best

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I rarely think of art as I watch most movies today.  Most are products to be consumed rather than artistic "gifts" to be inspired and challenged by.  It's depressing in fact to think about the vast number of movies produced and released only to turn a quick and easy profit.  The film industry is a great example of how we've reduced the voice of the artist for the sake of profit.

But I am thrilled by the release of a movie currently in theaters called "Once".  It is a brilliant film that is pure art.  It is a film about music, love, and a dream.  Much of the story is told through song, which is brilliant and more effective than dialogue in this case.  The music is perfect, human, real, and inspired.  The music, the story, and the brillance of it all is deeply moving as it reminds us that dreams, love, and creativity push through a world ruled by harsh "realities" and staunchy thinking.

You must see this film and afterward you will probably buy the soundtrack as well.  And as Zach has said well,

"The best thing about the movie is listening to the soundtrack afterwards and you’ll find yourself reliving the scenes in the movie through the music."

The "Once" website

HT: Zach Lind @ Finding Rhythm 

The 2007 US Soliton Sessions

 
In a couple of weeks, this year's Soliton Sessions will be taking place in Ventura, CA.  This event has been the highlight of my year for the past two years as it has become a gathering space for relationships and dialogue that have challenged and inspired deeply.  Those involved in Soliton represent a variety of voices (both from the US and from the UK), a variety of experiences, and a variety of perspectives that create a diverse and dimensional experience.  Not to mention that these people of Soliton are some of the most hospitable, generous, and radical people you'll meet. Look into headed to Ventura August 9-12 for this annual pilgrimage.  
I am sad to say that I am unable to make it this year, but was able to catch this year's earlier event in Northern Ireland.  For more information about the Sessions or about the Soliton network, visit their website at http://www.solitonnetwork.org.

On Silence

It's awkwardness unsettles us.
It's vacancy haunts us.
We never find quite enough of it.
Yet it is the place where our soul is revealed,
and the lover of our soul embraced.

The Dirt Confessional

At Symbol this weekend, we explored the concept of dirt and how we so easily label others as either clean or dirty and then erect boundaries between the dirty and the clean. It's clear that these boundaries existed in Jesus' day, but he always managed to erase the boundaries every chance he could. Our time together forced us each to recognize the dirt boundaries we allow to exist between us and those around us and to confess those boundaries. A cool thing we did was confessed via a great little free service called Wiffiti. Wiffiti allows you to create a screen that people can text to and the message get displayed live. It's a free service and it worked out great for us. Check out "The Dirt Confessional" here and add to it if you want.

The "Dirt Confessional"

link: Wiffiti Home Page

dirt:exploring the boundaries that separate us

dirtweb.jpgWe're exploring concepts of dirt this weekend at Symbol. We all have our own ideas of what/who is "dirty" and what/who is "clean" and we begin to create boundaries that separate that which is clean (we like to think we fit in the category)from that which is clean.  The interesting thing is that while these boundaries were common in Jesus time, he seems to cross these boundaries consistently.  He touched the untouchable, he spoke with the unspeakable, he broke cultural taboos, and challenged dirt boundaries at every turn.

This is not an easy subject and Saturday will include both a time to become aware of these boundaries we've created and a time of confession.  And as usual….there will be some time to wrestle and process with it all collectively in dialogue.

If this interests you, you are welcome to join in.  You'll find the details on the Symbol Communities site.  If you decide to "get dirty" with us, we'll see you there.

Sound in the Ground @ M.A.C.

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Foundarts, the alternative arts collective I started with friend and artist, Jamie Mulhern, is a part of Sound in the Ground tomorrow night (May 17th @ 8-12am) at the Mesa Arts Center.  Sound in the Ground is an art event that features "whatever we can think of to enhance your experience of the amazingly cool art exhibits that are in Mesa Contemporary Arts."  This is the last SIG of the year so if you miss this one, you will have to wait until the Fall.  In other words don't miss it.

A bunch of cool bands, a dj, a cash bar, free snacks, and the art exhibits of Mesa Contemporary Arts – should make for an very interesting night.  Stop by the Foundarts table and show your love if you can make it.

Stop by the MAC website or the SIG Myspace page for more info. 

May events I’m supporting…

I probably won't be blogging much this month. May is shaping up to be a busy and exciting month in the East Valley.  I figured I'd take a moment and plug some of the things coming up this month that I'm am excited about:

Sat. May 12thTaco Day Dos (the annual eat-all-the-tacos-you-can-eat event at the Newsome house) more info at http://www.tacodayaz.com

Thurs. May 17thSound in the Ground @ Mesa Arts Center (Foundarts is playing a role in this regular MAC event showcasing some local visual and performing artists) more info at http://www.myspace.com/soundintheground

Fri.May 18thWindUp Gallery Opening Reception (Windup is a new gallery opening in downtown Mesa that defies the traditional, conservative art scene currently found in the Mesa arts district – I am stoked about their presence in the city and to support them as much as possible.) find out more at http://www.windupgallery.com

Sat. May 26thMay Symbol Collective (a gathering of east valley locals living collectively in the ways of Jesus, of community, of compassion, and of creativity) more info at http://www.symbolcommunities.org

Wed. May 30thCommunitas Network Event (a relational & conversational network of dreamers, thinkers, and cultural creatives centered around the future of the church, faith, and of justice in the Phoenix area – the theme for this event is "the gospel and social justice") more info at http://www.communitas.us/network

Earth Day/Week

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It seems as though I am constantly playing catch up recently, feeling days and even weeks behind.  This past Sunday (April 22nd) was Earth Day.  Despite my first intentional of the important day celebration last year, this year's Earth Day came and went before I even realized the date.  Kelli was out of town and I was doing the "Mister Mom" thing in the days leading up to Earth Day – so give me some slack.  So I've decided that instead of simply calling it a loss and waiting for next year, I am going to this whole week as "Earth Week".  I am really curious of what changes I might consider making if I intentionally thought of living as green as possible for a week.  How might it change my habits?  I'll keep you posted.

UPDATE: got some new house keys cut so I don't have to enter/exit the garage when I leave/come home, rode the bus into downtown this morning (something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but just never have)

UPDATE: Riding the bus has been a pleasant surprise.  It only prolongs the journey a few more minutes.  It forces me to walk from house to stop/stop to location and then back.  And the best of all, the journey is filled with silent and restful sitting/waiting.  I can read, pray, plan, think, observe, and converse without having to worry about driving. I am study the routes and to find additional ways to add the bus into my routine.

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