Do we need solitude or connection to create?
Some forms of creative expression - like acting and filmmaking - require collaborating with many other people; sometimes an artist needs isolation or works best alone.
Writer Erica Jong has commented, “Everyone has a talent. What is rare is the courage to nurture it in solitude and to follow the talent to the dark places where it leads.”
Much writing and advice on enhancing creativity focuses on the individual. But creating happens in a social context, and often depends on input and inspiration from others.
Keith Sawyer, a professor of psychology and education, says the studies detailed in his book Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration reveal that “creativity is always collaborative - even when you’re alone. It is filled with compelling stories about the inventions that changed our world: the ATM, the mountain bike, and open source operating systems, among others.”
Psychologist Anne Paris, PhD is author of the new book Standing at Water’s Edge: Moving Past Fears, Blocks, and Pitfalls to Discover the Power of Creative Immersion, and notes “There are most certainly genetic and personality differences in how much connection we need to feel comfortable and at our best. Isolated or introverted artists often have a vivid and alive fantasy life of connecting with others that plays a powerful role in their creative productivity.
“Also, these artists may be turning to other types of connections (spirituality, play, pets, and other’s artwork) to sustain their work.
“For some artists at certain times, creative immersion may feel like the safest and most comfortable way of connecting with others, so their creativity flourishes even when they are isolated.” [From interview on her site www.anneparis.com]
Dr. Paris explains in her article A New Approach to Igniting and Sustaining Creativity, “Contrary to how we’ve been taught to value independence and autonomy, this new scientific evidence is showing that we are at our best when we are connected with others.
“Applying these findings to the secret, internal world of the artist, the capacity to be creative is actually generated by the experience of connectedness with others.
“When we are feeling frightened or are lacking self-confidence and vitality, we need to look at the state of our relationships, rather than to blame ourselves for being weak and inadequate, or to think that we must somehow find strength and courage from deep within ourselves.
“We cannot create in a vacuum of isolation: we are helped along in the creative process by certain kinds of emotional support from others that help us to be at our best and to realize our full potentials.”
Related pages / articles:
Collaboration
Creative collaboration
Nurturing creativity in solitude
Being a social animal and creative
