Three Kinds of Creativity
According to Arthur Koestler in The Act of Creation, there are three types of creative individual:
- the Artist
- The Sage
- the Jester.
The Artist creates beauty or challenge. The Sage creates meaning or ideas. The Jester creates humour or tricks.
I prefer to think in terms of creative response, rather than individuals. Don’t we all have a bit of each of these three creative “types” in us?
And might we not press down on a different creative dimension, depending on the project we’re working on? Today, for example, I was predominantly aiming to make the reader think ( Artist) as I worked on a scene from my novel this morning but my focus will be on meaning and ideas (Sage) this afternoon, as I put the finishing touches to the Inspiration Meditation e-book.
In Crash Course in Creativity, Paul Birch and Brian Clegg suggested you could tell which type of creativity was in operation by the response of others.
To the work of The Artist, we go : “Aaahhh”. To the work of The Sage: “Ah-ha”. To the work of The Jester: “Ha ha”
Which type predominates in you?
—————————
WANT MORE LIKE THIS? Sign up for The Creative Intelligence Newsletter (and also receive a free e-book on Inspiration Meditation).
[...] let’s talk about creative intelligence. Orna Ross shares in her blog that we may have three kinds of creativity, and she suggests – and I agree- that we use different aspects for different [...]
I think the Sage part of me is most developed. Next is Artist although it would be good if I could practice more. I think I am not as much Jester–I do enjoy being around Jesters though. Thanks for a great post. Much to think about…
This makes sense, not only to the arts we think of as creative, but to other venues. I think creativity is everywhere – home, business, relationships – and I see these aspects in all of them.
When I write poetry, it’s the Artist predominately and at work I use Sage or Jester. But during blogging, Sage and Jester often join the Artist too.
It’s fun to have a community.
Sometimes all, sometimes none. Far too much of the time, I fear, I am merely the Idler.
All the best
iG
Hi,
Your site is one of my favorites seen around blog explosion. Keep up the good work.
I enjoy reading your blog. It is great to find someone who can find the fun things in life!
I wish you all the best in all years. I look forward to developing a friendship and networking with you.
Take a look at my websites AriesTrade Network in Europe.
With Regards,
Karoly Domonyi
http://www.twitter.com/aries_hu
Hi Orna
Very well said , we all have each of these three elements in appropriate proportion. But, I have often observed that Light humored thoughts never comes out whenever I have tried to write. May be I shouldn’t try and let words be spilled over the paper as they come.
Liked your post
Cheers!
Love this Orna, and yes, I believe we move through all stages in our writing.
Light and Laughter
Ita