Creativity: do what it tells! | for performers, artists, creatives and dreamers

Hi reader, you are reading the first article of a blog crafted for performers (that magic frantic world on the stage you step on barefoot; the same you see hidden in the backstage, while dealing with your gut turmoils).

This blog is for people like you, people with a strong passion and who follow that inner driving force towards body expression. This virtual space is for you, who always need to create, to dance, to act.
To transform, to give.
Otherwise you lack that click in your life.
You who dream and will always do it.

This deserved introduction ends right here, making room to the first chapter of this new adventure.

The Paradox of Culture

Italy, 2004.
I was younger and I could’t wait to get my diploma; getting closer, you could spot that expression of feeling cheated on my face. Do you know why?

Well, I was living a huge contradiction.
I had studied at a Humanities High School (Liceo Classico) – that is, the Real Unique Place where you can soak up the Proper-Culture (rosa rosae; Socrates and Plato; Coleridge and the daffodils). However, I felt terribly detached from Culture (the Lively one).

Everything seemed mouldy and the hidden content of any sip of the Proper-Culture Spring seemed to whisper: “Hey, you, young lady! Straighten your back, behave and learn from any author, painter, architect as long as they are dead, please!” (bear in mind that the most recent chapters of our books were proudly freezed at the time of the Second Post-War).
The present time was vanishing into the oppression of the past.

Let’s now zoom-in and talk about Theatre: loads of readings, but what about going-to-experience-it?
We became crazy studying those ancient greek tragedians (poor boys, spinning in their graves), but no mention about those who were still alive.

I thought : “It’s like getting to know Tarantino by reading the Kill Bill screenplay. What a Shame!
What about videomakers, set decorators, actors?”
Yes, I might have been biased as I had gone mad about Theatre and that acting stuff long before.
(Ok, but can we go back to the clue now?)

Ok, then. I was fond of Theatre (a Culture thing), but I did not study it properly; moreover, I could not find the time to dedicate myself to it as every single f***ing professor was pushing me towards the ancient ages.
Hence, let me go (please)! I will keep the Proper-Culture with me for ever I PROMISE, I will carve it onto my skin (I SWEAR), I am thankful but PLEASE let me  go, because I need Theatre and Culture (the Lively one).

That Secret | where everything has started

“You what?”
“You wanna become a performer?”
“Are you maaaad? But you need a real job, Giulia, you must go to the University!”
It rings a bell, doesn’t it?

You can clearly feel the same oppression that I was feeling in my chest, in that overcrowding of emergency brakes (each one teaching me how to being a “true” adult).
How stupid of me?! Real-Adult-Proper-Culture- is all a matter of Books and certifications.
(nothing personal against Uni, dear performers; sadly, the Art Field has not the same value as other branches in Italy).
It may have been different for you (hope so), but this is what where I started.
Dealing with an uncomfortable mindset, wondering in a complete confusion, under the glorious influence of future lawyers, doctors and Normal People, I made the wonderful decision to go studying Literature in Milan (very very very good).

To be honest with you, performers, it was all a lie.
Disguised  as a student, I was hiding the passion of an artist, keeping it well protected into a magic treasure chest.
I have been spent every single day pretending to be interested in something that I could not care less, getting sick and sad as it was not me.

BUT I have also been spent every single night letting my passion emerge,  cuddled it, I  kept  it as alive as possible.

This is the beginning.
And I realize that this is also the basic ingredient of every single day.
It is useful to feel good also during those super stressing times, where even the most beautiful job in the world shows its dark side.
It is a sort of warm lightful feeling, coming directly from the magic box right into my pocket.

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to inform you that my passion will not allow your sticky worries to reach me. Not today, not tomorrow.
No more of your heaviness into my chest. Not today, not tomorrow.

What about you, performer? Are you defending your passion, your efforts, your path?
Do you keep on protecting your secret treasure chest?