We have been discussing creativity in one of my classes, and the topic has been the theme on which we ruminate all semester.  At the beginning of the class I felt that our discussions were contrived, often the result of structured readings and assignments that require a certain narrow focus in order to shed light on an upcoming project or assignment.  Read this paper on creativity, then read this one, and the like.  And there is nothing wrong with beginning discussions about creativity this way, but it does seem counter-intuitive to approach the topic through the lens of just one discipline. And I was reminded this week of the fact that the discussion of creativity is being carried out in several different disciplines. 

When I was a middle schooler, I fell in love with the music of Yanni, a new age pianist (though the descriptor seems too narrow still) who has performed all over the world.  I didn't know it then, but his music was an ongoing discussion about the creativity of humankind. 

Yep, this is the guy I would have a fan crush on for quite awhile when other kids my age were following the Backstreet Boys, N'SYNC and Brittney Spears.  I still have a huge place in my heart for his music. (True Story: When I was a freshman in high school art class, we were asked to paint a portrait of somebody who had influenced us and then use wacky colors to explore color families or something like that. Of course, I chose Yanni. I was elated when they chose my portrait to hang in the guidance counseling office until one of my classmates had asked why somebody had drawn a portrait of Mr. Thornton, one of our guidance counselors. To my chagrin, my Yanni portrait did indeed look like Mr. Thornton, and forever after, when I would see him walking the halls of our school, my heart would throb and I would blush as though it were actually Yanni walking by.) 

If you have time, I suggest you watch this video of a live interview conducted with Yanni not too long ago.  What he sharess about his creative process and the creativity of all individuals echoes what I believe, and is an example of a discussion on creativity that is happening outside of the classroom. He starts to talk about creativity right around 12:08 or so. I like the way he describes creativity as surrendering to the unknown, and how he reiterates over and over that it requires no judgement in order to make room for dreams and ideas to be created.  For me, the discussion of creativity has always been implicit in his music anyway.  It is implicit in this composition, Nightingale, one of his most popular to date. Until next time, let this music float you to sleep or inspire you in your next creative drought. Goodnight!