How We Build Upon the Past to Innovate
As creative professionals, we often find inspiration in the achievements of those who came before us. Our artistic journey is enriched by emulating the techniques of masters across eras, from Shakespeare to Spielberg. Studying their groundbreaking works expands our creative vision.
Studying film at NYU Tisch School of the Arts immersed me in the light of cinematic history. Meticulously deconstructing classic and contemporary films, I internalized the subtleties of the artistry I was exposed to, both consciously and subconsciously. I recall studying Vertigo shot-by-shot for the first time and discovering how Hitchock’s thoughtful framing imbued each scene with meaning. He used lighting, camera angles, and editing to create suspense in a profound way. My classes changed how I looked at films forever, but more importantly, how I approached filmmaking. This knowledge served as the driving force behind my creative exploration then and continues now.
I think of creativity as an inheritance where we build upon the achievements of those who came before us. Imagine it like a beautifully woven tapestry, created from inspiration we gather from those who came before us. Each new creation is a unique blend of different influences, transformed into a distinct artistic expression. Our oeuvre embodies a synthesis of learned techniques and personalized interpretations, a testimony to artistic evolution.
The emergence of AI-generated art raises questions about the essence of creativity. Though neural networks can analyze artistic data to produce novel compositions, these lack the intangible human qualities that resonate so profoundly within us. The relationship between human art and AI art makes us examine the line between replicating and inventing. However, it is our human experiences, emotions, and imagination that enable true originality and meaning. Our inner worlds give our art meaning and resonance. While AI can replicate the process of blending influences, it is the distinctive human perspective that turns imitation into genuine innovation.
My aim as an artist is to nurture my creativity while evolving my craft. I honor the masters who paved the way by studying their techniques. But my commitment is to discover my own voice. My influences intertwine with my personal experiences to form something authentic. By blending inheritance and innovation, I can create work that resonates deeply. My artistic journey is a process of building upon the past to take my creativity where only I uniquely can.
