Creativity

A Stereo made from an 8" PVC pipe. An act of ingenuity even though it plays a lot of Nickelback.

 

I drove my Ford Econoline van loaded with tools up the hill to Simon Fraser University. Eight years had passed since I last made the journey. Subsequently, I decided to abandon my studies to pursue a career in residential construction - a choice that would leave my study in literature and language use underutilized and unappreciated. Walking the halls of the university, I spotted the flyers and posters projecting both political and social initiatives that don't get a lot of airtime during construction site conversation. Part of my mind was being reawakened. A multiplicity of world views and ideas flashed at me from the cork boards as I walked to class - philosophies that had become casualties in the wake of my time spent in a working class culture.

 

Two years ago I went back university to continue my literature studies in the evening after work. Not only was I busy with my young children and a demanding job, I was also shaken by the negative attitudes I encountered regarding my occupation.

 

This became clear to me during one of the classroom discussions. The word, "creativity" had been used in almost every discussion and in every possible form. It was becoming redundant so I took a different approach to the idea and asserted that there is an element of creativity in construction and manual labour. The flow of the conversation stopped dead. The instructor broke the silence: "What is it that you find creative about construction?" It was an honest question but still, I was surprised that my assertion demanded an explanation. My words seemed to fall flat on the floor as soon as they left my mouth. There was an awkward silence and the conversation moved on. Clearly this was not a receptive audience.

 

What isn't creative about working with your hands? It is, in fact the very essence of creating. Writing, visual arts and music are truly creative disciplines but they are abstract in nature. After many hours of work, the only physical evidence left behind is a stack of paper, a canvas or sound waves travelling through the air. I need a continual reminder that I am actually taking part in something tangible. When something tactile is created with your hands, no such reminder is necessary.  It is painfully obvious what you've accomplished after shovelling an entire truck load of sand.  When it comes to mindless and repetitive jobs, there are nuances to the work that only an expert will recognize (on a typical job site, they'll certainly let you know). The process in which a job is carried out is unique once the minutia of the work is understood. Also, as problems and deviations occur in the course of the work, the act of problem solving is undoubtedly creative.

 

The word "creative" is often used as a means of differentiation. The work of others is often perceived as banal and uninventive - as if being creative is unique or special. It isn't. Being creative is simply part of being human. We all create objects, ideas, images and beauty as we perform our daily routines, whether it’s a stay-at-home parent finding a way to distract their children from melting down on a car ride, a carpenter planning out the most efficient way to cut a stack of 2x4s to length or an artist applying oil to canvas. One just happens to draw a lot more praise and prestige.