This short opinion paper seeks to give satisfactory definitions of work, creativity and ideology, aiming to show that there is a relationship between them all and suggests these elements exist in the Arts. The myth about artists and creativity is explored: the definitions help us understand the Arts and the creative process and how the “mystery” of creativity comes about. This “mystery”, I suggest, is educationally and economically defined by the birth of a competitive, commercial bias in Western Society, and now, all over the world, replacing religion, or as some may argue, incorporating it into broader society. This process started at the end of the 15th century. In running a business, competition is a prevalent characteristic, meaning that openness is not an option. The possibility of ideas and products being copied or stolen mainly for profit make for data protection and a false façade of commercial sensitivity. This latter culture then implodes into all areas of life and communication. It leads to the proliferation of false ideas which by definition amount to not telling the truth. The education system that backs this unfortunate state of affairs has to be academic; ideas bred in the mind, devoid of reality. What Herman Melville in Moby Dick says illustrates this: “A staid, Steadfast man, whose life for the most part was a telling pantomime of action,” would be the honest practical person whereas the opposite would be a dishonest person whose life is based on an existence justified by a “chapter of words.”
For too long, this secretive element in society has evaded scrutiny and now, as the world population increases to ever dangerous levels there is always available capacity for the generation of enormous wealth. This wealth is falling into fewer and fewer hands simultaneously creating increased poverty. We have now seen the effects of an inefficient organisation in the world allowing Coronavirus and future pandemics to arise without adequate defences to fight them. We are now learning that there is a scientific renaissance coming about to fight such problems: the new aspect of science is its necessary ability to unite on a world scale to fight disease in all areas of the world. This, in turn, has led to a discovery of the ability of the human race to coordinate its educated and other able resources universally and with great speed. We are talking about the resolve of the human race to battle for its very survival – a new openness to data and experience. As this process works itself out, it becomes imperative that all other disciplines follow. Humanity is crying out for the necessary responsibility of each individual not to be overwhelmed by a political class or working environment. These organisations, as representatives of capital, have brought the planet, as we know it, to its knees by unruly economic exploitation; this includes, not only the unreasonable destruction of the animal kingdom, but increasing poverty and a frustrated work-force. Also, the aimlessness inbuilt into the future and uncertain opportunities for our young people who are drifting into inertia as a result of lack of a future in challenging work- related opportunities. The Arts are similarly needing to redefine itself due to these same pressures.
Let us use the relevant definitions of work, creativity and ideology to understand the above process.
Work:
Dictionary Definition:
- Physical or mental effort directed towards doing or making something.
- Paid employment at a job or a trade, occupation or profession.
- A duty or task or undertaking
- Something done or made as a result of effort or exertion.
The implication of the use of the word ‘work’ is used in a general sense not necessarily related to a contract that involves payment.
The word ‘work’ is an inclusive term under any circumstances that involves physical and/or mental effort.
When working on an original project that is new or novel, the lack of familiarity and relevant experience calls for a creative approach.
Creativity – the noun is derived from the verb create:
Dictionary Definition:
- To create is to cause something to come into existence – a product of human intelligence or imagination
- To be engaged in creative work
- One also has to consider ‘traducianism’ beginning with The Creation – God’s act of bringing the universe into being.
- Traducianism is a doctrine that ascribes the origins of all things to God’s acts of creation rather than to evolution. This concept of Creationism, a religious doctrine holding that the world and all nature, animate and inanimate, was brought into being by a single act of creation. This biblical story is of the creation of everything in the space of six days. The theories and laws of the Conservation of energy and the work of Darwin on the origins of the species cast a different take on ‘the creation’.
Creativity is not necessarily unique to the arts.
Creativity is the fusion of mental effort with an objective that is immersed within the category of work, having an end in sight.
Thus from the concept of work, we have the concept of Creative Work:
This is the process of human activity in which new material and spiritual values are created. The human ability as characterised by work enables creativity: using the material supplied by nature and on the strength of knowledge of the laws of the objective world leads to a new reality that satisfies the multiform requirements of society. The imagination and skill to realise creative design is increased by training and practice.
The basic concept of work in a familiar situation implies repetition without much thought or unforeseen input. The generally accepted and basic approach to work is mechanical and tends to be mindless in varying degrees.
The reason for this process is that it is brought about by an economic system that structures itself on such a model.
However, artists cannot be categorised in this way, as their work calls for reflection. This process of review, based on the experience of living, is therefore considered to be creative.
Creativity is work that is not of a mechanical nature. Apart from imagination and practice, it also requires knowledge.
Ideology –
Dictionary definition:
- A body of ideas that reflects the beliefs and interests of a nation, political system and underlies political action. Under this heading there would be legal, ethical, aesthetical, religious and philosophical rules, evolved over time and experience.
- The set of beliefs by which a group or society orders reality so as to render it intelligible
Ideologies vary throughout the continents. This is reflected in the cultures of these continents. The Arts will illustrate this point by their variance according to the different cultures. Where ideologies contain different classes, there will be different subcultures representing the different class systems.
Finally, before concluding this paper, it is important to define what we mean by the arts.
Definition: The arts are a reflection of the tensions brought about by the act of living. The interpretation of these tensions normally requires a solution that brings the work of art to a conclusion, the resolution of tensions. Thus all good art combines form and content; this brings out the unity, integrity and development of material objects.
Talking of “good art” it has to include truth: Beauty is truth, truth beauty. Truth is beauty. This philosophical statement means that the real beauty of a thing lies in its permanence and that there is only one ultimate beauty in this world. Truthnever perishes. The remaining, though they seem to be beautiful, are not really beautiful as they are perishable.
To put this into a practical situation, the act of living, is subjected to the scientific theories drawn from reality and through practice are being constantly perfected. The developing daily practice or experience of society is capable of confirming or completely refuting the ideas engendered by man. The Arts are is the same position – only time can prove the truth expounded in a work of art. Art only exists if it generates interest through audience participation. This cycle continues and, ultimately, confirms or rejects the objects of truth and beauty.
Creativity in the arts has long been misunderstood due to the influence of religion dating back to the Romans. This is exemplified by the reference to ‘traducianism’ as above. The creation of the world in six days does not define creativity in the same way as practical life and human experience defines creativity. The “mystery” of creativity is brought about by the long-held beliefs influenced by religious ideas and the mighty power of God. Science has had to review its ideas starting with Galileo. His ideas on heliocentrism were considered “foolish and absurd in philosophy, and formally heretical since it explicitly contradicts in many places the sense of Holy Scripture”. Galileo ended up in permanent house arrest because he upset the church.
The concept of the Arts have been going through a similar torment. I suggest that the Arts have yet to totally liberate itself from the religious connotations influencing the concept of ‘the creation’. This liberation will only be complete when ‘artistic creation’ is firmly understood as human invention in the public domain and not confused with ‘the creation’ from the religious domain.
Conclusion: The arts are a product of society. The process of living is enhanced by work. Without work there can be no creativity. The organisation of society is organised into an ideological form that is socially cohesive. Whilst , work, creativity and ideology are separate entities, their sum total define the culture of a society and broadly define the parameters within which the arts function.
Art and Creativity are therefore explained. The cultural influence in the form of ideology has also been alluded to.
Ron Tendler December 2020