Whirlpool
Riding the miraculous wave of creativity, chaotic and fleeting as it may be
Yesterday I described to a friend that lately I’ve been feeling a kind of creative energy whirlpool swirling around me, and that while the momentum is still building, I want to be sure I funnel the right people, energies, and ideas into said whirlpool, so that the inevitable crash results in an aftermath worth examining.
Consistency in creativity is a very hard thing (for me personally, anyway) to achieve. No matter how many lists I make, or how organized and disciplined I try to be, I get derailed by some administrative obligation, some “real world” issue. I can’t deny when a true wave of external creative energy swoops beneath me—it really feels like a power separate from myself, and so I ride it with a sense of urgency, not knowing how long I’ll have to wait for the next one. I talk about this sensation a lot, perhaps its a tiny form of creative mania, perhaps its the effect of a few consecutive sunny days, whatever it is I am always grateful for it.
Yesterday I saw that the Librairie Galignani was hosting a book signing for my favorite (living) photographer Paolo Roversi, a legendary fashion photographer who is known for his ethereal lighting techniques. I grabbed the new photo book featuring the works on display now over at the Palais Galliera (which I’ll go see tomorrow evening) and the book of letters between Roversi and his friend and philosopher, Emanuele Coccia, in which they speak about light — the absolute most important bit of photography.
I arrived early and was fourth in line. Roversi asked if I was Italian when I told him my name—My nona was, I said in French, I’m American, but I live here now. After he was done signing I asked him if I could take a photo of his hands. “Ils sont très chers!” he joked with me. “Je crois que c’est vrai!” I quipped back.
He happily posed. I thanked him and was about to turn to leave when he said—”Wait take like this, it’s better, no?”…
I wish I could have had longer to study them—to ask him more questions.
A few weeks ago, I collaborated with a wedding gown designer for a shoot of her new collection. I was already massively inspired by the work of Paolo Roversi in my approach to this shoot so the fact that days later I see a poster for his expo and the book signing just a week after—yes I took it as a sign that the wave was indeed building and it would soon be time to stand up and ride it.
Just because this energy is swirling however, doesn’t exactly mean it is useful (yet). I am all over the place. One moment I am editing event photos for a client within a 24 hour turn over so I can (hopefully) get paid by the end of the month, the next I am wrestling with InDesign on a book layout, trying to get the centimeters straight in my imperial head. In another instant I remember a friend in California ordered a print, and I need to pick it up from the printer down the street—oh and don’t forget to pick up a tube to mail it on the way home! Back at my desk, I remember the power cable for the external monitor a friend is letting me borrow is still back at the apartment where I retrieved the screen, and I have to go back to get it or else this thing is just a useless black square staring back at me. Its 12:07pm, I’m hungry, I’ve already had an hour long French class on zoom and sent several emails—I wonder if any of the quotes I sent out will get positive responses by the end of the week. But wait!—what about that idea I had last night just before falling asleep? And the photos and videos I talked about making over wine last night with my actor friend here in Paris so she can submit for auditions and make it BIG!… Also rent is due in five days, oh and don’t forget to file your taxes.
I think I’ll go doodle in my notebook and see what happens.
Yes.
I didn't know Roversi was going to be at Galignani (my favorite Paris bookshop). I'd have stopped in! In any case, I'll be going to his expo sometime with Bennie. Too bad we'll miss you this time around.