What is creativity? | JP Canlis | TEDxVail

Summary

In this powerful TEDx talk, the speaker reflects on the true nature of creativity, emphasizing vulnerability and honesty as essential components. They recount their personal journey, from questioning their artistic path to creating a glass wheat field that transformed their life. Through trials and failures, the speaker rediscovered their passion and resilience. The story culminates in their artistic rebirth, symbolized by a series of glass raindrops, encouraging others to embrace their own creative potential and never compromise on their vision.

Takeaways

• 😀 Creativity requires vulnerability and honesty. It's about being real and authentic in your work.
• 😀 True creativity is not about perfection, but about pushing boundaries and embracing failure.
• 😀 Real creativity often requires making bold and difficult decisions, even when they seem impossible.
• 😀 The journey to creative breakthroughs often involves periods of self-doubt and questioning one's abilities.
• 😀 Self-validation through creative achievements is crucial for personal growth and confidence.
• 😀 Creative breakthroughs are not immediate. They often require years of struggle, practice, and perseverance.
• 😀 Overcoming adversity can bring out a more resilient and creative version of yourself.
• 😀 Even after experiencing personal and professional setbacks, it’s important to rediscover your passion and drive.
• 😀 Taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone is essential to unlocking creative potential.
• 😀 Creativity can help you overcome challenges and rebuild your life, as it did for the speaker after a difficult period.

Q & A

What made the speaker change their perspective on creativity?

The speaker realized that real creativity requires vulnerability and honesty, which led them to throw away their initial rehearsal talk. They discovered that true creativity is something genuine and in front of them, rather than a rehearsed or perfect presentation.

How did the speaker's childhood influence their artistic journey?

The speaker grew up in Hawaii, where they were deeply immersed in surfing. However, their artistic journey took them to upstate New York, where they began questioning their role as an artist, and their connection to glass and the work they wanted to create.

What was the turning point in the speaker's artistic career?

The turning point came in 1994 when the speaker, at 21, had the idea to create a wheat field out of glass. This concept hit them while driving through the countryside of upstate New York and became a pivotal moment that changed their approach to art.

Why was the creation of the glass wheat field significant for the speaker?

The glass wheat field represented both a personal and artistic breakthrough. It was the culmination of years of failure and learning new techniques. It transformed the speaker, making them feel validated and more confident in their artistic identity.

How did the speaker describe the years spent working on the glass wheat field?

The speaker described the three years spent working on the glass wheat field as both difficult and creative. Despite many setbacks, they kept pushing forward, learning and refining their skills until they succeeded in creating the piece.

What personal challenges did the speaker face after their initial artistic success?

The speaker experienced a personal and professional breakdown, including the collapse of their business and losing their passion and hunger for their art. They felt lost and unsure of where to go next.

What role did the TEDxVail invitation play in the speaker's comeback?

The invitation from TEDxVail to be an artist-in-residence and speaker served as a catalyst for the speaker’s return to creativity. It provided the necessary motivation to stop making excuses and re-engage with their art.

How did the speaker's creative process evolve after the TEDxVail invitation?

After accepting the invitation, the speaker's creative process accelerated. Over the next three months, they created an impressive set design, including 2016 glass wheat pieces, and developed new techniques to create glass raindrops. This period marked a significant creative and personal transformation.

What does the speaker hope for the audience regarding creativity?

The speaker hopes that the audience can find their own 'raindrop' and 'wheat field,' meaning they should not accept failure or compromise in their creative pursuits. They encourage the audience to keep pushing and to never give up on their creative vision.

What does the speaker mean by 'stretching glass' and 'stretching the mind'?

By 'stretching glass,' the speaker is referring to the technical challenges of working with the material and pushing its limits. 'Stretching the mind' signifies expanding one's creative thinking and overcoming doubts, as the speaker did when creating both the glass wheat field and raindrops.