OK, I have started writing a set of cards like Eno's cards (see below). However I found that I don't usually have any problems continuing or finishing an already started work of art. I am more interested in breaking the beginnings of one.
I figure I need to have at least 100, I'd prefer much more. Here is the start.
Lateral Inspirations
Start a work from only one small detail.
Work backwards. What effect do you want to achieve on the receiver?
Work by a theme.
Look up a random word in a dictionary, make a work based on it.
Close your eyes, point at random, use as starting point for an idea.
Pick your favorite creator, make a work inspired by your favorite work of his/hers.
Pick your favorite creator, make a work inspired by your LEAST favorite work of his/hers.
Use an online news search engine to look up your current medium. Take the first work you find and use it as starting point.
What would you really not like to make a work about? Make one about that.
Remember the earliest work of yours that you can. Make a new version of it.
What is ugly? Make a work about it.
Make a work about death.
Make a work about birth.
Make a work about rebirth.
Make a work of an unusual size or length.
Make a work which has a tone you haven't used before.
Make the simplest work you can.
Make the most complex work you can.
Make something modern.
Make something old-fashioned.
4 comments:
Sounds like the basis of a Peter Greenaway movie.
Try
"go to the zoo to look at the buildings."
Cool! Go, Eo, go!
Not knowing where to start is certainly not my primary issue (mine is becoming stuck midway in a long project), but I appreciate that this might be the case for many others. Plus, it's more admirable that you are adding your own twist to it rather than simply imitating Eno & Schmidt.
By the way, Wikipedia lumps these kinds of tools under the general term Random stimulus.
Here are a couple for you:
• Imagine travelling in time to meet a younger you. What kind of work would you like to show him/her?
• Pick an intentionally limiting work method. A primitive instrument, a children's toy or a broken tool. Use the limitation to explore a new style.
• Dalí occasionally imitated Leonardo's draughtsmanship and line style in sections of his paintings. Do the same, quote the master of your choice in the "wrong" medium.
• Decide to do 10 new finished works in the same medium in a single day. Resolve to meet the number no matter what -- compromising in everything else, if needed.
• Imagine travelling in time to meet a younger you. What kind of work would you like to show him/her?
TTL, that's an interesting thought. Time travel has always intrigued me. I often wonder if given that chance (were it possible) if I actually would alternate certain actions I took at the time?
But changing just "one" thing could bring chaoes or pleasure later on depending upon it's scale. Wouldn't you agree?
I'd like to see Eolake run a post about this sometime. I'd like to see the various thoughts from others..........Hey Captain Eolake, would you mind sometime?
Yes, time travel is a fascinating subject, isn't it. There is a school of thought saying that even if we can't physically go back in time, playing such a scene out as a mind game, i.e. vividly imagining it, has real therapeutic benefits. Some even say that engaging in a "discussion" with a younger you this way can actually change your life here and now for the better.
I second Terry's call for exploring this subject in a thread of its own. Eo's exercise with "Lateral Inspirations" is quite a commendable effort on its own and I'd hate to water it down by changing subject in comments now.
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