The Creative VIBE

 

Creativity has its own vibe. So does beauty. When the dissonance of life is stilled for a while, that vibe resonates with all of us.

Experiencing its harmony is a two-fold trick.

• First, someone needs to create something beautiful. Uncreated is pretty unimpressive. The vibe resonates through the beauty of creation.
• Second, someone needs to notice. If we don't tune-in to beauty (if we don't linger over beauty long enough for it to resonate) we're likely to miss it.

That's why I jumped in my car and drove to Holland last night. I didn't want to miss the grand opening of Chris Cox's Photographic Exhibition, Separate Bodies: Portraits of New Zealand.

The vibe of his creative photography resonates with me.

 

Chris has his exhibit at CultureWorks Gallery, the ingenious creation of engedi church in Holland. Wandering around the gallery I bumped into engedi's lead pastor, Brian Aulick, so I talked with him about the engedi's commitment to the arts. 

They believe the arts are a powerful catalyst for change: individually, corporately and community wide. That conviction shapes their strategy. They renovated a building near their church campus with one mission in mind: "Community transformation through creativity."

The CultureWorks vibe resonates with me. 

 

          

His gallery portfolio (shot with the medium format Bronica S and Mamiya 646AFD cameras he lugged across New Zealand) has the resolution and vibe that film produces. Every shot is measured. Every shot is carefully considered and planned. The results speak for themselves.

The vibe of these huge limited-edition photographs resonates with me.

 

I have no idea how many people came to the Grand Opening of his "Separate Bodies" exhibit, but it was a lot. The place was packed. Chris was surrounded with friends, artists, aficionados, collectors and buyers all night long. 

 

 

 - Self-portrait: Chris Cox in New Zealand - 

 

I really like Chris. He is a good man and I admire his character as much as I admire the vibe of his life and work. I'll be following him for years.

 

Galatians 6:4-5  -  Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

Comments

[Breah Groen]

So great to connect with you at the event last night. Your leadership and voice, along with GCC's, has truly marked my life. It was a special thing to have two worlds of mine overlap like they did last night. Thanks again for coming! -Breah