Sometimes the best conversations are completely unexpected.
I was waiting outside of the Cáf of Biola University and started talking to my friend, Cameron, while waiting to go inside to eat. We started talking about the film class, Art of Storytelling, I was taking, and I shared with him the structure of the Hero’s Journey that we had learned about--the structure that good stories follow.
Cameron gave me a funny look, “Shouldn’t movies be less creative if they all follow the same storyline?”
That set the conversation on an interesting route.
Art, by nature is creative. Some might argue that nothing should restrict art, and that a good artist is one that breaks rules. Sure, that’s a valuable trait to have, but I’d argue that a good artist is one that creates good rules.
For example, the purpose of an art class, or more specifically, an art assignment is to set up good rules for a growing artist. Suppose the assignment is to create a face using a palate of five flat colors. Suddenly the artist not only is restricted to a subject matter but also has their options greatly limited by the color restriction. And yet, the challenges the artist faces leads to growth.
The same applies to music. Incredible structure is applied to rhythm and notes in order to give it beauty it’s the structure that we were designed to appreciate.
That doesn’t mean something like modern art doesn’t contain value or that there’s no a place for experimental animation. Art that pushes the limits of what we’re familiar with, if done right, is simply a reorganization of the rules. The rules for that art was to create something that people hadn’t seen before. Art like that can confuse us, make us laugh, or simply make us uncomfortable.
Cameron loved what I had to say, and then took it a step further, “You know, that’s how we are as Christians. God sets up rules for us, but in them creativity and freedom flows.”
My mind was blown. Of course! God didn’t save us to give us freedom to do whatever we want, but freed us to align ourselves with his perfect will. Just like in art, the restrictions actually allow us to create something beautiful: our lives. Being a Christian means we’re light and salt to a dark and tasteless world. Our guidelines allow for definition and clarity.
So, next time you embark creatively, restrict yourself. Only draw with vertical lines. Paint with coffee. Create an art piece while only listening to jazz. And if you’re a Christian, practice living your life as one who is gloriously restricted to freedom.
