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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I didn’t know who Rick Rubin was before I picked up this book, so I didn’t come at it as a sycophant like some folks.
I understand some people’s beef with Rubin’s repurposing of Buddhist philosophy, but I found it helpful so I didn’t mind. Mindfulness does boost creativity. He’s right.
I felt conflicted about some of his points, namely the social obligation of art and the artist — but isn’t embracing those grey areas the point? I enjoyed feeling uncomfortable with some of his arguments and illustrations. The discomfort was useful, as were many of the passages in this book.
I think the whole of the book captured the creative process and its unknowable complexity rather well. I walked away with a lot of useful perspectives, even if some of it felt repetitive.
His chapter on editing was ironic, given that the book could have been cut down by at least 20%. But maybe that’s the editor in me, not the creative.
I understand some people’s beef with Rubin’s repurposing of Buddhist philosophy, but I found it helpful so I didn’t mind. Mindfulness does boost creativity. He’s right.
I felt conflicted about some of his points, namely the social obligation of art and the artist — but isn’t embracing those grey areas the point? I enjoyed feeling uncomfortable with some of his arguments and illustrations. The discomfort was useful, as were many of the passages in this book.
I think the whole of the book captured the creative process and its unknowable complexity rather well. I walked away with a lot of useful perspectives, even if some of it felt repetitive.
His chapter on editing was ironic, given that the book could have been cut down by at least 20%. But maybe that’s the editor in me, not the creative.
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
The book reads like a scripture written by and for artists. Purely for the purpose of making art and nothing else.
It’s hard to comment on the book as a whole, there’s some through lines but it felt more like a collection of ideas. Some ideas and metaphors were mentioned multiple times so it’s quite easy to ready any chapter as the first and will make sense.
It’s more fair rate the book by chapters. Although most were interesting, some do crossover to the realm of potencies. And just a very personal gripe, I didn’t like when the author mentioned when he was working with a certain artist and tried some methods, for some reason I found that very pompous and whenever it happens I do roll my eyes a little.
But some chapters are truly inspiring, I can say I gained many second winds and ideas during the readings. It’s like a meditation.
I found this point in the book quite profound: art is treated as divinity, and it needs to be passed through unfiltered. The only responsibility for an artist is the quality of the art and absolute nothing else.
Overall, pretty good, and I’m glad I read it.
It’s hard to comment on the book as a whole, there’s some through lines but it felt more like a collection of ideas. Some ideas and metaphors were mentioned multiple times so it’s quite easy to ready any chapter as the first and will make sense.
It’s more fair rate the book by chapters. Although most were interesting, some do crossover to the realm of potencies. And just a very personal gripe, I didn’t like when the author mentioned when he was working with a certain artist and tried some methods, for some reason I found that very pompous and whenever it happens I do roll my eyes a little.
But some chapters are truly inspiring, I can say I gained many second winds and ideas during the readings. It’s like a meditation.
I found this point in the book quite profound: art is treated as divinity, and it needs to be passed through unfiltered. The only responsibility for an artist is the quality of the art and absolute nothing else.
Overall, pretty good, and I’m glad I read it.
slow-paced
Wow - I didn't realize I'd been reading this piecewise for the last year until I saw the start date for this review! It's been an incredibly insightful and useful companion on my creative journey. I highly recommend it to any wanting to find encouragement and tangible strategies for building your confidence and momentum creatively, particularly finishing your projects.
At times it idealized the creative journey to a point that felt on the fringes of disconnected (there are a couple of insights dedicated to choosing art above everything else as a practice, which is debatably unrealistic for the common person) - but in the same breath, holds inclusive space for art method no matter your lifestyle (i.e. you're a valid artist whether you choose to make income from your art or create as a hobby).
I bookmarked the heck out of this and will revisit it often. :)
At times it idealized the creative journey to a point that felt on the fringes of disconnected (there are a couple of insights dedicated to choosing art above everything else as a practice, which is debatably unrealistic for the common person) - but in the same breath, holds inclusive space for art method no matter your lifestyle (i.e. you're a valid artist whether you choose to make income from your art or create as a hobby).
I bookmarked the heck out of this and will revisit it often. :)
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
“Creativity is something you are, not only something you do. It’s a way of moving through the world every minute, every day.”
I love a good book about creativity and art. I would rate it 4.5. The chapters are short and sweet, filled with art and spiritual wisdom.
I love a good book about creativity and art. I would rate it 4.5. The chapters are short and sweet, filled with art and spiritual wisdom.
informative
inspiring
reflective
Through his book, Rick perfectly incarnated his adress on the creative act.
His book is a work of art, with a philosophical undertone, in its content and visually. And it was surely intended to be brought to life this way.
One can appreciate "The Creative Act", flowly reading chapters as one sees fit, pacing up or down, skipping one or two, coming back for inspiration, etc. As one would experience a work of art in a museum.
I can understand negative reviews deploring its "emptyness" and its perceived preachy turn. Needless to say, sections are more developed than a religious mantra. And it was not titled as a "how to".
More pragmatic minds would probably love to know how Rick came up with this idea, his process, his rythm of progress, ebbs and flows, etc. with a complementary book ? (and this is why I'm only attributing a 4-star).
His book is a work of art, with a philosophical undertone, in its content and visually. And it was surely intended to be brought to life this way.
One can appreciate "The Creative Act", flowly reading chapters as one sees fit, pacing up or down, skipping one or two, coming back for inspiration, etc. As one would experience a work of art in a museum.
I can understand negative reviews deploring its "emptyness" and its perceived preachy turn. Needless to say, sections are more developed than a religious mantra. And it was not titled as a "how to".
More pragmatic minds would probably love to know how Rick came up with this idea, his process, his rythm of progress, ebbs and flows, etc. with a complementary book ? (and this is why I'm only attributing a 4-star).
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced