Haley Scholars Spring 2013 Reading Groups
By Cindy Lyles
In "Late Bloomers," Malcolm Gladwell focuses on the creative processes
of contemporary fiction writer Ben Fountain and 19th century painter
Cezanne. Gladwell establishes that it took both men a while to develop
into the well-known artists they are today. Neither achieved acclaim in
their twenties or thirties; their roads to fame were long and slow
unlike some creative prodigies, like Orson Wells, Herman Melville, and
Mozart whose careers peaked in their early lives.
“Conceptual” creativity and open-ended exploration are the two artistic
processes Gladwell hones in on in the article. The former process
entails little research but step-by-step execution that unfolds
according to a preconceived plan; whereas the latter results from
extensive research, as well as trial and error.
Picasso was so opposed to the open-ended process that he admitted, “I can hardly understand the importance given to the word research.
In my opinion, to search means nothing in painting. To find is the
thing” (301). On the other hand, Fountain and Cezanne both lean toward
the research process to create.
How could a conceptual approach have benefited Fountain and Cezanne
more? Or, how would open-ended exploration have benefited a prodigy
artist like Picasso?
5 comments:
Piccaso is a natural talent. Things just come easy to him. He doesn't see research as being necessary because it's not hard for him to produce quality. But, it's not always where you're going but how you get there that defines you. The research could have been what he needed to take himself to another echelon.
Jeremy H.
The open ended process would have benefited Picasso by possibly making him bring a new thought process to his art and bring a new style.
Picasso had a lot of natural talent so he did not feel the need to research. He knew what he felt was very important. Had he considered other options and possibilities, his art might have been even better. Broadening ones mind can often bring fresh and new ideas to the task at hand.
The conceptual approach would have been beneficial Foutnain and cezanne by allowing them to free their creative side and "just go with the flow." Research based exploration would have helped Picasso to develop his craft with better and maybe he would have found his style sooner if he had done some research with the art styles.
Although Picasso says he does not see the importance of research, I feel it could've benefit him. Yes, his talent was more natural and came easy to him but through research you learn more about what has been done. If Picasso would have took the time to research these other artists and art forms then maybe his art would have been different. He may have been able to reach other cultures through his art or bring two very different cultures together. Art like this would have made him more than an artist, but an early activist.
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