Historically, creativity was described in terms of imitation or mimesis. That can be seen as early as Aristotle and Plato and continues through Reynolds, as well as others. There does appear to be a radical break from this idea in the eighteenth century when the test for creativity shifts from mimesis to originality. For the first time writers such as Young hold up original thought and original production as the key determinant for creativity. Compare mimesis and originality? How are they different? How are they similar? Does this duality of mimesis and originality continue today or has one taken precedence over the other in how we judge or think about creativity?
What I found interesting is Young’s take on the mind of a man of genius, that it is, “a fertile and pleasant field” (Young 84) and “…native growth of thy own mind to the richest import from abroad; such borrowed riches make us poor.” (87) Reynolds writes, “The mind is but a barren soil; a soil which is soon exhausted, and will produce no crop, or only one, unless it be continually fertilized and enriched with foreign matter. …The greatest natural genius cannot subsist on its own stock…” (Reynolds 100)
Leonardo da Vinci states, “genius comes from heaven, learning from man… Learning is borrowed knowledge genius is knowledge innate” while Reynolds writes of “rules” and “cannot be by chance…” (Rynolds 99)
As for if this is still being played out today? My answer is yes, as when I posted concerning divine gift or learned process.
Plato's theory of creativity, as stated in his dialogue Ion, seems to put all creativity in the mysterious entity known as the muse who is uncontrollable and all-controlling. According to Plato, the poet plays no role in the creative act other than being the vessel through which the muse speaks. The muse decides the subject matter, the content, the artistic genre of the creation, and the timing of when and where the work will be created. Plato even goes so far as to put the poet and audience on the same level of importance -- they are both merely links in a chain which connects them to the muse from which they receive identical inspiration. In his dialogue Phaedrus he describes creation as a type of madness which is a "special gift of Heaven" (7). This theory of "divine madness" has not been the dominant theory of creativity for a very long time, if it ever was, but elements of it continue to have remarkable longevity. The idea that there is something innately mystical and inexplicable about creativity continues to have great resonance. How has mysticality continued to play a role in more recent theories of creativity, even in theories which at first blush appear to be entirely rational or cognitive? Also, how has mysticism continued to play a role in the popular understanding of creativity?
The readings of Plato are brought to mind Tupac’s lyrics in his song, “Ghetto Gospel”:
Never forget, that God hasn't finished with me yet/
I feel his hand on my brain/
When I write rhymes, I go blind, and let the lord do his thang An example of this “special gift of heaven” theory is on the Manta Entertainment website. Part of their “Our Guiding Philosophies” is the following, “We believe artists are blessed with a divine gift and have an unwritten duty to share it with the world.” (Manta Entertainment Hidden Beach Recordings)
Another example of the continued application of the “divine gift” theory is the article entitled, “How Art Creates the Artist: A Return Visit to Carl Jung's Vision of an Artist” written by Katherine Yurica. She quotes Jung to express her belief in this “gift.” "...There are hardly any exceptions to the rule that a person must pay dearly for the divine gift of the creative fire” (Yurica).
I think this is evidence that the idea of mysticism continues to play a role in current day understanding of creativity. I, myself, think my poetry comes from a source, either divine or some other source, which I cannot force or deny. The poem pokes in my head, until I MUST write it. I then use my skills to refine the piece, but its origin is beyond my own thoughts.
Works Cited
Manta Entertainment Hidden Beach Recordings. 2013. document. 14 7 2014.
Plato. "The Phaedrus." 370 BC.
Reynolds, Joshua. "Discourse no. 6; vol. 1, pp. 157-8." 11 December 1769.
Shakur, T. ". (2005, 1). Ghetto Gospel. Loyal to the Game. Interscope Records.
Yurica, Katherine. Yurica Report. 2006. Document. 14 7 2014.