A caver with a graphic design problem explores the world and shares her useless knowledge.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The Paechs Sing Mukama Yaminyi
Here's a great video that was patiently waiting in my email account for several weeks. Its from a friend who worked with Paul and then did something absolutely amazing - moved to Uganda, married, and began a new life with his beautiful wife Agnes and her lovely family. I just HAD to share it - because it is just so cool. Singing acappella is hard - but then in harmony - and writing it yourself?!... All I have to say is WOW and kudos to all of them!!
This excellent talk really made me think about the value modern society places on creativity. Sir Ken Robinson is right in that the way our educational system is structured - creative influences and opportunities are at the bottom of our educational barrel.
Personally, I have always had positive reinforcements with regards to my artistic skill, and as a result, they were nurtured into my current career as a graphic designer. But in throwing open my own small window of perspective onto the world I've never really felt smart. Creative yes, but not truly smart. I can say that I have always had good grades - consistently A/B throughout grade school, high school and college, with a couple Cs. Definitely not brilliant, but at least a bit above average. I think my natural talent and enjoyment I found in drawing, painting and other mediums allowed me to excel in art class; but educational convention only allowed them to visit at my window once a week. (This isn't a pity party folks - and feel I received a good early education. And truly believe life is learning. I don't think one should ever stop or even slow. I just enjoy theorizing about the "what ifs" hoping one day they will turn into "why not do it now's?")
But viewing Sir Ken Robinson's talk above, it makes me beg the question: If I'd been allowed the opportunity to specialize early on, would I be more accomplished in my creativity now, less afraid to cut my own path, smarter artistically, and as Sir Robison mentioned - more creative? Would children's future lives be more well-rounded, more innovative, with more opportunities for those that excel creatively? Would there be more brilliant minds because they were not afraid to be wrong once and a while - because we restructured our educational system to not tailor the children to the tests, but rather the tests to the children?
I am a TAG caver, artist, graphic designer, archaeologist, letterpress printer, Florida native, word crack addict, B&W photography ogler, picture taker, soundtrack listener, OCD recycler, tree hugger, creative writing dabbler, ticket collector, forest hiker, letter writer, garden planter, DragonCon go-er, lover of modern design and architecture, glass half full, not over till its over, the best is yet to come kinda person. MACs over PCs, tea over coffee (unless there's a lot of sugar & creamer involved), sweet over unsweet, silver over gold, Summer over Winter, and dogs over cats. Not to say that's all that defines me. That's the tip of my iceberg. Read on and take a peek at what's below the surface.
My candle burns at both ends It will not last the night But oh my friends and ah my foes It gives a lovely light! ~Edna St. Vincent Millay
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid sideways, champagne in one hand - strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WoooHoooo!! - What a Ride!"
