Finding Creative Opportunity
In How To Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz, he says in order to be creative, don’t just simply mash two distinct art styles together but instead focus on the space in-between these styles. I think this is great advice, not just for art.
The modern world is expanding rapidly- socially, technologically, etc. which creates a lot of unexplored gaps. These can be very practical gaps or artistic gaps.
Lovely Bureaucratic Frustrations
I was recently trying to submit an application to something and ended up missing the deadline because I fumbled the gaps in-between organizations. I needed to get certain paperwork from my government which took longer than the application period that an organization allowed. Then I needed to translate this, not linguistically, but based on metrics, into the structure of an institution in a different country (ughghgh… don’t ask about this process, I am still bothered by it).
But it is indicative of the modern world.
Countries, organizations, school subjects, tend to be siloed. Each has their own way of doing things and looking at the world. This can be cumbersome when you are trying to move between these entities. However, that means there is space to create. If everything were standardized, then the process would be streamlined but then we wouldn’t have the benefit of many different perspectives. Or would we?
When Does Standardization Encourage & Discourage Creativity?
When does standardization benefit originality? For the application in my example, I spent much more time on the logistical details of submitting my application than on the 2,000 word essay that accompanied it. That is a shame since my value comes from my original thoughts in the essay, not from how my application is structured.
Similarly, any job applicant knows the specific type of bother of having to submit your resume and accompanying documents into the format the company prefers. Is that adding value to the application? Or is it taking time that can be better put to use?
In my own life and the world around me, I am going to spend some time thinking of the ways standardization is good for expansion and when it is detrimental to it. I want to know where there is room for my original thoughts in the space in-between entities and when I should seek greener creative pastures.
Everyone needs to function in the structure of the modern world that is constantly changing. I need to strengthen my emotional and creative muscles for these in-between spaces because right now, I see annoyance not opportunity.
Messy Bun Book Lover
(Originally posted on Apr. 29, 2025)
How To Be An Artist by Jerry Saltz is available here.
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