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February 13, 2002

On your mark, get set, GO!

I have put off going to the Van Gogh Museum until the new exhibit "Van Gogh – Gauguin" gets here (so I will be going soon!). It seems like an interesting way to look at art, by seeing the direct influence of contemporaries on each other.

I know that as for me, competition is an important element in creativity (or rather, creative productivity.) I went through a period in 11th grade when I wrote a poem for every one my friend Lynn wrote. And she wrote at least one a day. It was somehow important for me to keep up, and after reading something she wrote I always felt that I could do something better. Somehow reading published, established, well-known, well-studied and well-respected poets didn't inspire me nearly as much as my friend did. With her I was in the realm of what was possible; we were on the same level. Pushing myself to do more wasn’t a chore, it was just a fun challenge.

Also, I think that in order to work well with someone, although you have to share certain things its not necessary to want to be their best friend, or to even like them. Lynn and I were close friends at various times throughout high school, but she was different than me in many important ways, and we didn't stay close after we graduated. Something about being too similar or too good of friends kills my competitive drive. Maybe Van Gogh lost an ear because the differences between him and Gauguin were too great (or, as historians say, maybe Van Gogh was simply insane). I wish I had someone to compete with with my photography. I think between doing nothing and losing an ear would be a good place to be. For now I'll just have to look at glossy magazines and feel inferior.

Posted by shannon at February 13, 2002 07:02 PM

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