Leading in The Age of Imagination
Detail from an un-used thesis painting
On January the 7th, Andrew returns to school after many, many years of being self-employed as a computer programmer. On the 7th, Andrew will start the Art & Design Foundation course at George Brown (lasting one year) and this February, has a portfolio interview at OCAD for Advanced Standing to enter the Industrial Design program. With all the preparation of him enrolling, putting a portfolio together, etc. I’ve been noticing a slight but growing jealousy on my part. Being a part of an art institution like OCAD, a place replete with words like “critical thinking”, “innovation”, “Leading in the Age of Imagination”, “unprecedented”, and “discovery”, it is easy to feel that you as an individual are propelling into the creative economy full of valuable, life-changing ideas and methods. You are part of a community of “enablers”, “facilitators”, and “collaborators.” So I’m thinking: here I am, almost 2 years graduated with a BFA, sitting in my bathrobe, eating Christmas dinner leftovers and watching t.v. and the closest I can get to “critical thinking” and “creative research” is reading my Canadian Art magazine, and getting a membership at the AGO. After the holidays, I will return to my desk job and hand out schedules, take out the garbage, buy flowers for the boardroom. And I’ll be thinking – “Hey! Where did my life-changing ideas go! How am I a leader in the Age of Imagination??
Side note: thinking about all this, and checking out a blog by annapantchev.blogspot.com
who mentioned Ernst Haeckel in her post today, reminded me of this painting (above image) that I have rolled away and stuck in a corner beside my desk. It’s a huge painting, and I hated it at the time, discarding it as part of my thesis work. I’ve decided to post some pictures of it in my gallery, though because it’s so large and un-framed, I’ve had to photograph it in pieces. Maybe one day I’ll finish the idea.
January 1st, 2009 17:05
Hmm, I like this painting so far! I can’t believe I’ve never seen it! I love anything underwater.
Your post was a bit depressing. I have a job very similar to yours. I run the office, get the mail, do all the laundry, clean the bathroom, sweep and wash the floors, answer the phone, take money, etc. Hardly life altering. Hardly using my full potential. To be fair, I haven’t yet discovered my full potential.
The only thing I know I have to do is Biblio. This year, I’m resolving to try to get closer to realizing that idea. I keep finding myself daydreaming about this place, and I’m convinced now that it’s what I should be doing.
I understand your jealousy. Sometimes I also miss school. It was so significant and our brains were so active and constantly challenged and we were innovative and creative and conquering. Now our greatest challenge is finding or maintaining that in “real life.” As Marie is showing me, though, it is possible to remain a student (of whatever subject, and/or of life) while keeping a job working for someone else.
March 3rd, 2009 16:04
Hi Therese. Just looking at your blog. Some nice images and musings. Good luck to Andrew being back at school. At least he will not look out of place with all that fluff on his face.
Hugs
Alistair
March 5th, 2009 19:17
Good to see you here! Thanks! I’m learning as I go. Sometimes I’d like to delete some of my earlier posts…not that there are many yet!
Andrew finally shaved the fluff off. I told him his face was starting to match his sweater…