Creative Conversations

Today, I attended an event called Creative Conversations at an art studio called The Lab in Lakewood. These events are designed for young professionals in the beginning stages of their careers that want to enhance their leadership capacity. The event consisted of an afternoon of speakers from the Denver community that are finding ways to serve through art. Some of the presenters definitely left an impression on me.

One of the speakers discussed the trends occurring in the art world. One of her main points is that our society is shifting into an immediate gratification mindset. The attendance rate of live performances are going down. Some arts organizations like the Metroplitan Opera in New York are attempting to remedey this by providing the option of streaming their operas online. People have the power and ability to choose their own timing to "attend." While this concept definitely speaks to my generation it somewhat worries me. To me, there is nothing like seeing something live and in person. Nothing can substitute for that emotional connection between your role as an audience member and the performer onstage. If experiencing art starts to become only digital, I just can't imagine what this will mean for our society. Will people start having digital relationships? For some reason I get this picture in my head of people having family reunions over webcams- eek! Thoughts?

On another note, A great couple named the Birky's came and discussed their brainchild: a restaurant called SAME Cafe. The restaurant serves organic, healthy food and is contained in a space that is only 19 by 30 feet. The kitchen is open-air so that there is absolutely no division between anyone. But what really makes the restaurant unique is the concept: It is a community-space where all is welcome, meaning that anyone is able to eat regardless of financial status. They ask that you give back in some way, meaning that you can donate your time in the kitchen or you can just make a donation of whatever you can in a donation box they keep in the restaurant. Somehow the donations in the box always cover their costs. Their concept has resulted in a space that is truly a community- they have people from all walks of life from business people, homeless people, single parents, students. I have yet to eat there but I am very excited about checking it out soon!

A dance company called Sweet Edge also performed. They are a modern dance group, founded by a dancer named Kim Olson. The piece was performed to Radiohead by five dancers. Her perspective of dance is that it doesn't need to be presented in a space that strictly separates the performers and audience. It should be presented in a space that is accessible to everyone. In fact, she was commissioned to create a piece that was performed in a parking garage. The dance they performed was very abstract and left a few people in the audience in tears because of their personal interpretations.

Overall, it was a great afternoon and I felt rejuvenated after the presenters. I think it's easy for me to forget to take time away to let myself be inspired. I hope to do things like this more often.