cliche, creativity

I write here what I am thinking, despite the cliche, and truly because of it. I am not alone when I affirm that all forms of art and creativity are crucial to our survival. Though I rarely create artifacts of creativity, I am fortunate to find other outlets. Creativity to me is about building relationships, playing games, thinking and most importantly, sharing those sparkling moments. Sometimes an inspiring experience can be recorded and shared. These recordings and designs literally echo through our lives -- resonating differently for each of us.

The market naturally harnesses such a crucial and commodifiable aspect our ourselves. When art enters the market, it takes on a new shape -- it becomes about advantage, about gimmick, about competition. Before the market, art could not be cliche. Yet, sometimes because of it, all we can see is cliche.

There are some wonderful recordings, institutions, and other creative artifacts that strongly resonate with me. I must accept that the market has used its own means to shape these tastes ... but I cannot give up on creativity because of it. Because these forms are in competition, we've become conditioned to a mode of critique. I think my own experience, of periodically debilitating cynicism towards most every art form, sport, institution, and intellectual pursuit is not uncommon. Through thoughtful critique we negotiate the market, but we must equally kindle the sparks of creativity that make life worth living.

***... need to add something about consuming versus creating .