Creativity or Hyperactivity?

So this weekend I decided that Tuesday is the new Friday night as I opted to check out one of the free public lectures at the London School of Economics.

Sadly I didn't follow my father or brother in to the world of finance and if I'm honest I've never been fussed about economics. However, thanks to a random spot on Facebook, I discovered that the university happened to be hosting a debate right up my street - the creative mind.

Now I'm a firm believer that each and every one of us has some inkling of creativity in our minds. Unfortunately we are just not that great at accessing this creativity nor are we given many opportunities to do so as we are a society obsessed with fact over fiction.

Unluckily for society I love fiction and take every opportunity to be creative or as my friends describe it "hyperactive." It also happens to come in handy as my profession requires a good bit of creativity.

With a prime position in the lecture theatre (has it really been four years since I last stepped in to the educational arena?) I embraced the philosophical, psychological and linguistically to explain creativity.

Chaired by Dr Kristina Musholt we were overwhelmed by the knowledge and passion of the expert panel. Professor Margaret Boden, Research Professor of Cognitive Science, broke down the word 'creative' in to three key words - new, surprising and valuable. A sleep deprived Professor Nicholas Royle, professor of English, created anagrams from the word creative, but the most thought provoking was philosophy professor Gregory Currie.

He listed four ways to look at creativity which will now shape how I think in the future.

1. Don't think of creativity as special

2. Don't over-intellectualise creativity

3. Don't think exclusively about individuals

4. Creativity has cognitive costs

Check out the LSE website, www.lse.ac.uk, to find out more about their public lectures and to see what's coming up!

Hidden Gem in Cannonbury

So this weekend I decided to get my dose of weekly culture and learn more about modern Italian art by taking a trip to the Estorick Collection. 

Now it's not the most well-known gallery and to most it just looks like a residential property in Canonbury Square. However, behind the Georgian facade is Eric Estorick's prestigious collection of paintings and prints from the Italian futurism era. 

My impromptu visit coincided with their latest exhibition which included works of art by Italian artist Bruno Munari. Not only was he one of the leaders of the futurist movement, but he also set up the first advertising company in Italy.

A mixture of intricate sketches, designs using various mediums and obscure art installations, Bruno was acknowledged as the twentieth century Leonardo. I particularly enjoyed his sketches and interpretations of objects and link between technology and art. Despite enjoying Bruno's work I felt confused with some of the other paintings on display especially one called the boxer. I tilted my head, squinted my eyes, stood up close and stood far away, but it looked nothing like a boxer.

I know my sister will be shaking her head as she reads this as she has seen first hand what my feelings are towards modern art. Art is not a piece of plain paper and I don't feel the need to splash out on a Tracy Emin original - I have my own version of unmade bed every day thank you very much. Yet I found myself intrigued by Bruno's work. Am I finally becoming a modernist? I doubt it as nothing will dampen my love for the pre-raphelites! 

I will leave you with this quote from an interview with Bruno in the 1950's. It really puts in to perspective the changing movements of the art world and how sooner or later we will have to move on with the times, but not just yet!

"Art is not dead, it has merely altered course and this is where we must look for it. It no longer responds to the old" - 1952

High Note at the V&A

So this weekend I found myself back at the V&A, not to check out an exhibition, but instead to enjoy an evening of iconic and classic film scores. 

Why was their an orchestra performing in the V&A? Well it's all part of the much talked about Hollywood costume exhibition. So whilst we sprawled ourselves out on the mosaic floor in the Raphael gallery, a string quartet serenaded us with the themes from Gone With the Wind through to Psycho. 

 It's a shame how so many of us take film music for granted. Imagine watching Jaws without the opening score? Or watching an epic battle scene without a musical note? I know I'll appreciate film scores more!

Ditching the L Plates

So this weekend I finally removed the L plates off by bow to join the big kids club.

Should they have let me loose with a weapon of small destruction? Probably not, but then again I've got the certificate to say I've passed (please refer to post on 14th October as evidence).

Now that I'm with the pro's I'm learning a lot more about perfecting my technique and discovering some rather unusual tips.

What more is there to learn apart from aim and release I hear you cry? Well apparently it's all about being "one with the bow" and "tits and arse" according to one my fellow archers. Strange advice yet surprisingly valuable.

Yes my aim is still off, the neighbours target and the back curtain to be precise, but I've been assured that with a bit more practise I'll be on target. I just need to start chanting my new mantra "I am one with the bow" and surely I'll be on my way to success.

How will I fare next week? Well you'll just have to come back and read! 

More Than Just An Airport Terminal

So last weekend I found myself back in the Costa Del Sol taking in the sights and sounds of Malaga in a weekend escape from rule Britannia. 

Most visitors who fly into Malaga airport see the city as at a gateway to tourist hot spots such as Marbella. Little do they realize that Malaga is not only steeped in thousands of years of history, but it is a city overflowing with culture, vibrant bars and amazing views. 

Birthplace to the world renowned artist Pablo Picasso, you cant visit Malaga without a trip to the Picasso gallery, a fortress of a building packed with obscure yet mesmerizing art. Even a trek up a small mountain, okay a steep hill, was worth it for the spectacular views across Malaga and the surrounding mountains.

It certainly makes you think twice about judging a destination before you try. Now l just need to figure out my next great escape!