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- Play is distinct from ordinary life, both in it's location and duration.
sounds_sound · 4391 days ago · link ·
The pedagogical value of play is essential for my work. The stuff that I create that I like the most almost always has involved spending large amounts of time in that kind of open space. I agree that, when in that space, there is nothing that should be called a mistake. Everything must be on the table. One thing I've found helpful to remind me of this is Sol Lewitt's Sentences on Conceptual Art. Particularly #5: Irrational thoughts should be followed absolutely and logically. When you stick to this rule, some real fun will ensue!
thenewgreen · 4391 days ago · link ·
I recently heard someone suggest that when we are kids we go out "to play". Athletes go out "to play". Musicians go out "to play". Why should other endeavors be any different? He's got a great point, when I'm at my best professionally it is when I am thinking of my career as something "fun", as a sort of contest. Nobody wants to "got to work" but everyone wants "to play".
My favorite advice from Cleese: We need to be in the open mode when pondering a problem — but! — once we come up with a solution, we must then switch to the closed mode to implement it. Because once we’ve made a decision, we are efficient only if we go through with it decisively, undistracted by doubts about its correctness.
-This is why so many artists have half finished projects. Being creative is important but being decisive is essential in most endeavors.
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- This is why so many artists have half finished projects. Being creative is important but being decisive is essential in most endeavors.
Agreed. Creativity isn't much without perseverance. It took me a long time to build the habit of seeing things through the inevitable doldrums of any project.