[Ithaca Inspiredš] Finding Creativity in Ithaca: Places, People, & Things
Join the quest to find creativity!
While a cold autumn season runs its course throughout Ithaca, this little quaint town in the middle of upstate New York is starting to look a little more colorful ā and thatās not just due to the changing seasons. Throughout the semester, we have had the opportunity to form new friendships and reconnect with old pals, discover new places, and pursue newfound passions. People, places, and things, although just characteristics of a noun, have been the hallmark of experiences for many students during their college careers and the source of creativity for countless creators.Ā
Speaking of places, a location that has been known to spark creativity is the Johnson Museum of Art. Museums are the intersection of wonder and discomfort. While the complexity of its pieces draws in its audience who wonder at their possible tale, when this is discovered, it often brings a sense of discomfort and with it a call to action.
šLeading by ExampleĀ
Take for instance the photographs of some current exhibitions in the Johnson Museum. While important, first impressions are generally superficial. The Johnson Museum is home to an extravagant sculpture of a polar bear rising from a seemingly barren ground, a vase overflowing with flowers, and a storyboard depicting a landscape akin to a fairytale. Possibly a polar bear suffering from the sunās heat, a Greco-Roman flower vase, or a snapshot of a park stroll.Ā
All these are only possibilities, but nothing about the actual story behind the artwork can be confirmed until the museum label is seen. Unsurprisingly, these often go unnoticed, forgotten in the shadow of the very pieces they represent. However, when seen, the pieces can be put together in an āahaā moment type of fashion.Ā
The tale of the art piece is revealed, the mastermind named, and its vision and mission shared. We are no longer standing before a polar bear, a flower vase, or a canvas. We are standing before a half-rug and half-taxidermy polar bear - shot in the 1970s by a white sport hunter ā that serves as a reminder of the dangers of losing sight of what is done to us and by us. We see the enjoyment of natureās generosity in every flower petal, down to the smallest detail. We read into the scene of a protagonistās grave mistake, which leads us to the heart of the story.
In the museum, though, these realizations do not settle quietly. Silence isnāt comfortable and is seemingly ever-expanding. It is in this silence that a question in the audienceās mind rings louder than ever, āWhat now?ā
š„The Power of the UnknownĀ
Knowledge is power, and with power comes responsibility. Whether we explicitly think of this or not, its shadow surely lingers. It is in these uncomfortable situations where creativity sparks. Soon we start to wonder if there is something we want to say, as the artist, on the matter? How would we say it, or do we even want to say something about anything at all? As this domino effect continues to trickle down, the abstract of a new idea is formed.
Whatever we decide to say, it doesnāt have to be world-changing. It doesnāt even have to be original. Many times, when searching for creativity we find so much comfort in the familiar that we shy away from the unknown. Museums, however, are different. Museums, like the Johnson Museum of Art, do not pose this as a question for creators but rather as a challenge, and this is what makes them a great source of creativity. Of course, there are many other places in Ithaca where we can search for it as well. Creativity can be found in the many murals that decorate Ithaca, in the concerts hosted in Bailey Hall, and even in the hayrides we take with friends; but thatās a story for another day.Ā
By Kimberly Valadez
CC Content Writer
Hello everyone! My name is Kimberly. I am a sophomore at the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Linguistics. In my free time, you can find me reading old books, binge-watching shows, or sketching a new drawing.Ā
Did you enjoy this blog post?āØ
Continue to interact with Cornell Creatives by engaging with our social media.