Art Heist: What I stole from the MoMA

MoMA Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Modern Art in NYC . I try to go at least twice a year, as it helps refuel me creatively. On this occasion, I was very excited to see the Rene Magritte exhibit. And It did not disappoint. I also found a nice surprise in an exhibit containing some works from Edward Hopper.

But I walked away with more than having just seen some great Art. As I meanedred around the museum drinking everything in, two overarching themes came to mind that I was intent on stealing:

1. Create Powerful Images.

Love him or hate him, Rene Magritte created arresting images that caused you to stop and engage. He played with your expectations and delivered something unique.

2. Tell compelling stories.

Edward Hopper's painting and Etchings are like a snapshot of time. Cinematic in nature, they seem to be telling a larger story that they are inviting you into. Often it leaves you with more questions than answers.

What great insights have you stolen lately?

 

Empire of Light, Rene Magritte

Empire-of-Light-1950Principio do Prazer (The Pleasure Principle), Rene Magritte

Magritte_ThePleasurePrincipalPortraitOfEdwardJames1934

Not to be reproduced, Rene Magritte

not-to-be-reproduced-1937(1) Night Shadows, Edward Hopper 

img-3

New York Movie, Edward Hopper 

hopper.ny-movie

Night Windows, Edward Hopper 

Night Windows

Lightning in a Bottle

1359972_49141136 We all need creativity but it's impossible to conger on the spot. There is no "lightning in a bottle". That's why it's important to capture ideas BEFORE you need them, when the pressure is off. When your mind has time to wander and think. (And if you just thought to yourself, sounds great but unrealistic, you might have a "margin" issue, as in, you have none - that's a different issue altogether)

In the advertising world (at least back in the day) the creative team would pull out a "swipe file". It's what it sounds like: a folder stuffed with inspiration, color swatches, photos, anything and everything that is an idea or could lead to one. Today there are great options to do the same digitally. One great app/website I use is Evernote. You can save photos, text, video, and audio into files that you can tag (so you can find them in a search later) when you really need them. I don't collect ideas daily, but as often as i can. I also realize that it won't happen on it's own. You have to work the system!

So do you have a system to collect your ideas? Are you more of an old school file folder person or do you have some other system or app you use to collect? Either way, just be sure to a system! So next time you are put on the spot, you can have a place to go.

 

{photo credit}