ima - 'The historian of promise - Some more thoughts about the creative flow

‘Even in utero and after birth, for every moment of every day, our brain is processing the nonstop set of incoming signals from our senses. Sight, sound, touch, smell, taste – all of the raw sensory data that will result in these sensations enter the lower parts of the brain and begin a multistage process of being categorized, compared to previously stored patterns, and ultimately, if necessary, acted upon.’ Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, and Maia Szalavitz, The Boy Who Was Raised As A Dog, 2017, p. 46.

The quote above connects with the creative flow that was experienced in the performative drawing, The historian of promise (12 – 18.1.2019). I call ‘creative flow’ this process of constant sensual absorption. 

I connect with this flow using spontaneously and improvisationaly chalk, natural chalk-stones, sieves of different sizes, a hammer, strings, threads, stencils, ruler and more. While these tools are accessible and familiar they are being taken out of their usual context. For example, there is a hammer but no wood or nails, nor a broken object to be fixed.  This mis-use of tools stimulates the imagination.

This performative drawing creates a connection with childhood, particularly, the un-mediated material exploration of one’s self and his/her relation with the world through drawing and painting. Immersed in this creative flow the child collaborated and participated with all her senses.

why is there a desire to return to this open sensual state of being as in childhood? Perhaps it emerges from a need to ‘fill the batteries’, to renew one's energy, to be empowered, to reinforce one’s belief in life, to seek encouragement, even comfort. Perhaps it is a need to return to a multi-layered thinking process which involves words and materials?