Creative Spirituality

Goals

• Become familiar with ways in which spirituality influences artists
• Discuss the differences between spirituality and religion
• Examine spirituality as a generative force and a well spring for creativity

Spirituality- February 23, 2014

I define spirituality as the well being of an individuals religious life. Spirituality is the source of which one creates values. The human spirit is affected by the values and morals that one holds through their religion. For example, my spirituality is affected by the choices that I make. An individual’s spirituality is not reflective of material values or pursuits. Rather, spirituality deals with a higher level of values. These values are not concerned with material things that people consume themselves with on earth.
Spirituality and religion are connected. An individuals spirituality is can be influenced by negative choices they may make. Religion is the guideline for spiritual growth. Each religion is different in their sense of values and morals. These differences in religion place a different emphasis on spirituality.
Creativity is embedded in all persons. This trait is of great value. We all have different types of creativity. Creativity is the production of artistic work that is created by our imagination. The thing that is special about creativity is that we all have our own imaginations which make is creative. Creativity is a reflection of an individuals ideas and thinking. It is a reflection of how one views the world. Creativity can also reflect values. One may be less creative due to restrictive or a censored lifestyle.
The source of creativity is the individuals imagination. I have a different imagination and idea of what is creative than the person that is reading this. This source of imagination allows for an infinite number of creative possibilities. Everyone has similar ideas of something that is creativity, but what makes these creations special is the individual spin on the creation. Creativity is special to the individual because it is purely based off their own thinking and imagination. Creations that are shared with the public are appreciated by other for their unique creation. The iPhone was revolutionary and this original creation by Apple has spurred a bunch of similar creations, but each has their own uniqueness to it that was imagined by the creator. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as is Creativity.

Reflection:

This assignment required a deeper level of analysis for defining spirituality and the connection between spirituality and religion. I come from a religious family so spirituality has been a part of my life since as far back as I can remember. This assignment helped me to dissect spirituality and how it influences artists. The difference of an artists spirituality can influence the art that they make.

Spirituality and religion related to art can be related to an “individual will is aligned with divine will, attaining a spiritual overview and unity with the cosmos. Artworks that radiate this state of divine union reveal a pattern of universal connectivity or point to the boundless “clear light of the void” (Mission of Art 100). This reading helped to make the connection between the spirituality of an artist and how it influences their work. There are many different forms of spirituality and inspires artists to create work based off that spirituality.

This Art:21 video helps to understand the connection between artists and spirituality. It provides explanations for what artists are trying to convey with their art and spirituality.

Future:

I intend to use this information to further my understanding of the connection of art and spirituality. This section will help to analyze the connection of the artwork and spirituality or religious beliefs.

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