On Creativity
CLASSICAL MATTERS: Hello, Jennifer and thanks very much for taking the time to chat with us.
There is a great deal of discussion today about the arts and their role in developing creativity and innovation. For example, Harvey White, the former president of Qualcomm said:
"…The humanities, and the arts in particular, stimulate, exercise and train the innovative side of our brains ...without that exposure to the stimulus from education in the arts we do not fully develop use of the innovative power of the brain…"
From your perspective as a composer, musician, educator, and film maker, what is creativity?
JENNIFER ATHENA GALATIS: I actually have a lot of answers to this question.
Creativity can be triggered, or encouraged, in both creative and non-creative individuals. Some people get inspired by certain subjects and they get creative, but others not. For example, as a teacher I give assignments to students, and some of them are very creative with the subject, but the rest are not stimulated enough. Then on another day, I give a different subject and the students that were not creative are now very stimulated. I think people who are creative surround themselves with things they love. For example, you can read a book that inspires you or have a discussion with someone that challenges your mind.
Creativity is also connected with talent. Creativity comes from within a person. Talent is inborn and the person can adapt to it easily and create his her own identity in it.
Creativity is also connected with imagination. If you teach the person from a young age to develop imagination, they will figure out how to creatively use their ideas.
Now, of course there are people who are born gifted geniuses and for these people, creativity is a continuous flow. They possess something that cannot be bought or taught and they are so creative that it might look strange to ordinary people. I was watching an interview with Vangelis and he was asked to compose something on the spot and he created a beautiful melody and orchestration that just came out of his hands. Music is a continuous flow for him and he can grab at any given time sounds that are passing from his head and construct them together and compose a new piece. I always say to my close friends that I think I'm cheating because I hear beforehand the sound and then I play it and it becomes a new composition. I think someone has implanted a receiver in my brain and I just use that ability to make up sound phrases. If someone is artistic, a true genius in art, I think that talent is god given.
Scientifically speaking the brain is designed for creativity. Creative people are solving problems. Artistic creativity is a response for expression and stimulation. Talent is a result of many elements such as well developed senses and spatial orientation. Humans are born with creativity and the opportunity for talent.
Religion. God created us in first place with creativity. Talent is also given to us as a Grace. God gives us a lot of gifts and talents and he expect us to use them with skill.
Creativity and talent are different but yet very similar. A high level of creativity can't be taught. I have met people students who are talented but have little creativity. It's easier to find talented people but very difficult to find original, creative people.
CLASSICAL MATTERS: What is your assessment of the current state of creativity in people?
JENNIFER ATHENA GALATIS: Unfortunately, in our world today there's an imitation of creativity. For example, in the music business film scores for the most part all sound the same. They all sound really loud. Most young composers all sound like Hans Zimmer. For example, the movie “Tron” sounds exactly like Zimmer's score for the movies “Inception” and “Batman.” Don't get me wrong. It sounds great but the orchestration was done by another person. Orchestration for me is composition. For example, I really admire John Williams and Ennio Morricone because they compose, orchestrate, and conduct their own music. This is very rare in today's world. To me, they are true artists, the gifted genius creative composer. Imagine if Mozart were to orchestrate Chopin's music. The final composition would sound more like Mozart.
It is very difficult to find truly creative, gifted artists in our society today. I find a lot of young people that think they are gifted and talented, but are barely an artist. I don't know the reason why the young generation wants to become an artist, a singer, an actor, or form bands. I don't understand what they are looking for. Maybe they’re seeking fame and wealth, but it is a very difficult way to success when you are not original and you sound or act like someone else. Even for artists who do make it today, their careers are often very short and they’re forgotten after a few years. The music industry is like processed food: it looks good and consumes fast. I don't really think we will see bands like Supertramp, Pink Floyd, The Doors, etc., anymore. The media is bombarded by amateur shows like ‘Canadian Idol’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, etc. Maybe that’s why it’s difficult to find creative people and stimulate creativity in today’s world. Young people think that without work and good education they can achieve great success in society. However I can't entirely blame them, seeing that the media is promoting amateur art everywhere. I'm truly disappointed by the state of creativity today.
CLASSICAL MATTERS: What is your advice to young people who want to pursue the arts?
JENNIFER ATHENA GALATIS: Do a self examination first and see if you are the real thing. Compare yourself with someone who is a real artist and evaluate yourself. Here is a quote from one of my favorite people, a very famous successful actor: “Don't do art in order to obtain a price.” There's no price. The only price is you and what you feel and what you want to accomplish. I always see young people wandering around not knowing what they are doing and why they are doing it. What I mean here is that to want to be ambitious and to want to be successful is not enough. These are only desires. To know what you want, to understand why you are doing it, to dedicate every breath in your life to achieve it - that's a real artist. If you feel you have something to give, if you feel that your particular talent is worth development, is worth caring for, then there's nothing you can’t achieve.
Click HERE to view Classical Matters Interview with Jennifer Athena Galatis: On the Use of the Computer and Virtual Orchestra in Music Composition and Performance
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