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Creativity and Insanity - discuss

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Will:
I'm reposting this from my blog:

--- Quote ---Something that has always fascinated me is the link between artistic creativity and...this, however, begs the question - for an artist, is the mental illness itself a muse? Is our depression and our paranoia and our clusterfucked way of thinking just a byproduct of our creativity, or is the creativity just a genetic compensation for the fact that we exited the womb already damaged? And do we as artists use our art as a way of dealing with our own issues, or do we simply use our disorders as fuel for an already raging fire?

--- End quote ---

If you want to read my whole rambling post, go HERE. Otherwise, I know there are a bunch of creative people who frequent these forums, so I wanted to get some of your thoughts. Is there a definite link between creative thought/artistic temperament and mentall illness? This isn't for any real research project or anything, just something that I'm thinking a lot about lately...since I'm back to the forums, I might as well ask a loaded question, right?

If you want to read a really good essay/research article on this subject, there's a 2002 study done by the University of Northern Iowa that I found. I don't know if linking to a pdf file is kosher here anymore, but I have a direct link in my blog, or you can message me for a link.

Thanks guys! I'll stop rambling now.

Lines:
I've been told by a few people that I'm one of the sanest people they've ever met (that kind of says more about the person who told me more than what it actually says about me) and I don't really think I have any mental issues. But my art is definitely reflected by my personality. I like whimsical, fun, absurd things, but then again, I'm kind of a quirky person and what I like most about some people are their particular quirks. But I am slightly OCD about things and it comes out when I'm working, especially if I'm doing something that is process oriented.

But from the people I knew in school and have met professionally, either artists are the sanest people on the planet or we're all quite insane. It may or may not be directly linked to what we do, but I'm not really sure. I'll be checking out that article, though.

JD:
Shouldn't this get moved to the DISCUSS! sub-forum?

Tyler:
Only uncreative people would say that

JD:
Creative people would move it to Arts and Crafts.

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