Creative Thought Space |
Jonny Robson | Buenos Aires, Argentina | www.graffitimundo.com
Director of Graffitimundo
What do you think being creative means?
I like to think being creative means that someone is deliberately trying to do something differently.
How do you include creativity in your life?
There’s a saying that there are no new ideas, only new combinations of existing ideas. I’ve always liked the idea that creativity is the conscious or unconscious recycling of ideas. I look out for interesting ideas from all areas of life, and where possible I’ll try and use them in another area of life. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but it’s important to keep trying.
What thoughts do you have as to how your life has influenced your creative imagination, and how your creative imagination has influenced your life?
When you’re young your creative imagination can feel out of step with your ability to realize your ideas. The gap between wanting to do something and being able to do it can be very frustrating, and can lead to ideas being abandoned and projects left unfinished. I’ve found that it’s only really perseverance that closes the gap. Even if you can’t bring your ideas to life the way you want them to, it’s important to not give up. The more you keep trying, the more you tune into the relationship between what you can dream and what you can achieve. With time you begin to feel more confident about your creative ideas, knowing that you’ll be able to make them happen.
What, if any, exercises do you do to get into a creative mode?
It might not sound very creative, but I find making lists helps. I think of what I’m trying to achieve then list all the different things I need to do to achieve it. Once I’ve broken an idea down into smaller ideas, I often find that these smaller ideas spark connections and I’ll pull in new ideas from somewhere else. Once I feel I have something interesting I’ll try and talk it through with someone. The challenge of trying to explain a new idea to someone and defend it is great in helping define what the idea is, and determine whether it’s a good idea or not.
How important do you think creativity is in life?
It’s important in my life, because I need to do new things to feel alive. I think it’s important in life in general, because creativity enables us to adapt to changing circumstances and environments. I think it’s equally important that we understand conventions and have respect for the traditions which bind people together. Tradition provides a measure of stability to life. Creativity makes life dynamic and interesting.
I like to think being creative means that someone is deliberately trying to do something differently.
How do you include creativity in your life?
There’s a saying that there are no new ideas, only new combinations of existing ideas. I’ve always liked the idea that creativity is the conscious or unconscious recycling of ideas. I look out for interesting ideas from all areas of life, and where possible I’ll try and use them in another area of life. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t but it’s important to keep trying.
What thoughts do you have as to how your life has influenced your creative imagination, and how your creative imagination has influenced your life?
When you’re young your creative imagination can feel out of step with your ability to realize your ideas. The gap between wanting to do something and being able to do it can be very frustrating, and can lead to ideas being abandoned and projects left unfinished. I’ve found that it’s only really perseverance that closes the gap. Even if you can’t bring your ideas to life the way you want them to, it’s important to not give up. The more you keep trying, the more you tune into the relationship between what you can dream and what you can achieve. With time you begin to feel more confident about your creative ideas, knowing that you’ll be able to make them happen.
What, if any, exercises do you do to get into a creative mode?
It might not sound very creative, but I find making lists helps. I think of what I’m trying to achieve then list all the different things I need to do to achieve it. Once I’ve broken an idea down into smaller ideas, I often find that these smaller ideas spark connections and I’ll pull in new ideas from somewhere else. Once I feel I have something interesting I’ll try and talk it through with someone. The challenge of trying to explain a new idea to someone and defend it is great in helping define what the idea is, and determine whether it’s a good idea or not.
How important do you think creativity is in life?
It’s important in my life, because I need to do new things to feel alive. I think it’s important in life in general, because creativity enables us to adapt to changing circumstances and environments. I think it’s equally important that we understand conventions and have respect for the traditions which bind people together. Tradition provides a measure of stability to life. Creativity makes life dynamic and interesting.
About
Jonny Robson has spent 10 years working in creative industries, helping develop brand and communications strategies for a range of clients across the world. 5 years ago work took him to Buenos Aires, and he fell in love with the city’s arts scene. Together with Marina Charles and Jo Sharff he co-founded the arts organization graffitimundo, which works to promote the city’s urban art culture and support local artists.
graffitimundo operates as both an information resource and creative hub. They work to further awareness and understanding of the city’s arts scene through a range of activities. They’ve just finished production on a feature-length documentary which explores the relationship between art and activism, and will shortly be publishing a book on the same topic. graffitimundo regularly curate exhibitions of Argentine art in Buenos Aires and other international cities, and will shortly be opening a gallery and project space in Buenos Aires. They run workshops, conferences and tours as a way to help people connect with the local art scene. As a creative hub they work to harness the talents of local artists for community projects and commercial challenges.
Their organization is made up of friends with backgrounds in art, design, marketing, media and journalism. They work with museums, galleries, NGO’s, community groups, businesses, charities, brands, universities and the media, in addition to thousands of individuals who want to learn more about the urban art scene of Buenos Aires. “I love the work we do, and feel privileged to be part of such a dynamic and creative scene.”
Jonny Robson has spent 10 years working in creative industries, helping develop brand and communications strategies for a range of clients across the world. 5 years ago work took him to Buenos Aires, and he fell in love with the city’s arts scene. Together with Marina Charles and Jo Sharff he co-founded the arts organization graffitimundo, which works to promote the city’s urban art culture and support local artists.
graffitimundo operates as both an information resource and creative hub. They work to further awareness and understanding of the city’s arts scene through a range of activities. They’ve just finished production on a feature-length documentary which explores the relationship between art and activism, and will shortly be publishing a book on the same topic. graffitimundo regularly curate exhibitions of Argentine art in Buenos Aires and other international cities, and will shortly be opening a gallery and project space in Buenos Aires. They run workshops, conferences and tours as a way to help people connect with the local art scene. As a creative hub they work to harness the talents of local artists for community projects and commercial challenges.
Their organization is made up of friends with backgrounds in art, design, marketing, media and journalism. They work with museums, galleries, NGO’s, community groups, businesses, charities, brands, universities and the media, in addition to thousands of individuals who want to learn more about the urban art scene of Buenos Aires. “I love the work we do, and feel privileged to be part of such a dynamic and creative scene.”
