In the topmost chamber of The Lighthouse
is The Aerie, where Raptor resides.
The light and reflector have been removed since this lighthouse
is no longer charged with guiding ships at sea. From this vantage
point, with the view of the ocean to inspire us, we explore creativity
in its various forms and the results of it's application.
The Lighthouse is both our departure point and our beacon
as we embark on the flight of the imagination.
Before we explore or even discuss creativity, let us establish a definition
so we are on common ground. I have noticed that some people feel that for
something to be an expression of creativity it must have some sort of
merit. They may feel that it has to be a work of art, that it must appeal
to people or that it must, in some way, be good.
As we refer to the dictionary, we realize that the characterizations
mentioned above mostly deal with opinion and value judgements. Creativity
does not have to measure up to anyone's standards! Having consulted
three dictionaries and finding great agreement among them, let me define the
basic word in operation here...
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- CREATE
- to cause to exist; bring into being
- to make out of nothing for the first time
- to make or bring into being something new
- to produce through artistic or imaginative effort
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Examining the definitions above we see that while creativity includes
artistic expression, it is not limited to it. When you engage in original
thinking or expression, you are being creative. Writing a computer program
or designing a web page qualifies as a creative activity just as much as
painting a picture. I won't debate what is or is not an artistic
activity although I certainly feel that my pages are an artistic
expression.
Comments or questions about The Aerie should be directed to Raptor.
His background and email address can be found at About The Lighthouse and it's Curators