Contemporary Creation Research Articles

Musical Identity in Contemporary Creative Works Among Thai Jazz Artists

This study aims to explore the musical identity of Thai contemporary jazz artists by examining their attitude, musical content, and music creation process. Thirteen informants participated in this qualitative study through in-depth interviews. The results demonstrated that musical identity could be divided into three categories: 1) regional musical identity, 2) individual musical identity and 3) cultural musical identity. The factors associated with the emergence of musical identity include musical movements and phenomena, integration between two musical styles in terms of articulation and contextual elements, and contemporary and hybrid-crossover music approaches in today’s world. These factors, along with social interactions both within and outside the jazz community, affect the transformation of musical identity. The findings of this study will help Thai jazz artists and those involved in the jazz industry effectively build their musical identity, create value for their music, and elevate their works to an international level.

Neurological and Neuropsychological Insights into Modern Art: Exploring the Interplay between Brain Function and Contemporary Creativity

This research explains further detail on the connection between modern art and neuropsychological and neurological disorders, concentrating on how artist's mental health problems influence their creativity. Using the qualitative approach such as a survey and face to face interview, we identified the varying perspectives related to the evolution of art including its relationship with mental health. This study suggests that neurological disorders may have something to do with an artist's art pieces as they portray the depth of emotions and uncommon perspectives that an ordinary person cannot see. It also reveals the central idea for understanding the connection between the disabled mind of an artist and their art. This study also explores the understanding and appreciation of modern art.

The role of alternative spaces and initiatives in contemporary creation in Seville (2000-2020)

En este artículo se exploran los diversos espacios e iniciativas alternativas que han venido surgiendo en Sevilla a lo largo de las dos últimas décadas. Con desigual trayectoria, y tomando como punto de partida la actividad de la Richard Chanin Foundation, se plantea una secuencia de elementos que han resultado claves para la puesta de largo de un considerable número de artistas, teniendo como punto en común no estar constituidos como galerías artísticas al uso, sino como lugares que podríamos vincular con actividades más ligadas a la gestión cultural.

Earth as image and operation

In this interview, scholar–curator Bryan Norton discusses new forms of planetary-scale image-making with artist–researcher Asia Bazydrieva (Geocinema) and media theorist Jussi Parikka. While collaborating with Bazdyrieva during the production of Geocinema’s ‘Making of Earths’, a documentary exploring the Digital Belt and Road Initiative in China, Parikka wrote a new book, Operational Images: From the Visual to the Invisual (2023). In this study, Parikka suggests that the forms of image-making explored in ‘Making of Earths’ press against the very borders of the visible, possessing a long history with drastic political and social consequences. Drawing on the history of satellite imagery, drone footage and climate models, both Parikka’s and Bazydrieva’s work present fecund modes of artistic and scholarly engagement with the contemporary creation and dissemination of what Harun Farocki called ‘operational images’ in his audiovisual work from the early 2000s. In this conversation, Bazdyrieva, Norton and Parikka discuss the ever-increasing ubiquity of these types of images in order to highlight their role in planetary-scale computation systems, the production of scientific knowledge and the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Colonial Legacies: Contemporary Lens-Based Art and the Democratic Republic of Congo by Gabriella Nugent

Colonial Legacies: Contemporary Lens-Based Art and the Democratic Republic of Congo by Gabriella Nugent

Multimodal narratives in contemporary Brazilian children's literature

Although it is not a contemporary creation, there is evidence in our context of the growth of multimodal narratives addressed primarily to Brazilian children readers. This is the offer of narratives that, based on different strategies, are built not only through the literary text, but also through its dialog with other languages, of which we highlight here illustration and graphic design. Among such works, we propose the reading of Pra lá, by Luiz Tatit (2012), Dante Onzzetti and Edith Derdyk; Era uma vez outra vez, by Edith Chacon and Priscilla Ballarin (2022); and O que é que isso é? (2020), by Alexandre Rampazo. We aim to highlight the need for a synergic reading of the different languages that make up the book object in order to different reading layers can be reached. We also aim to discuss how the reading of multimodal works demands a different kind of reading and reader.

Navigating the creative wilderness: A depth psychological perspective

Contemporary creativity research has made great strides in understanding and quantifying many elements of the creative process, but has focused less on the existential, lived experience of navigating creative barriers. Taking a Jungian, depth-psychological approach, this article considers creativity as a proverbial journey through the wilderness, examining how creatives find their way when they get stuck, experience blocks, lose inspiration, or contemplate giving up. Finding one's way through such barriers can be one of the most challenging aspects of the creative process, and yet is a vital element of the journey. Understanding how to navigate these obstacles with agility can lead to greater creative engagement and efficacy.

POTENTIAL OF CREATIVE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN MONTENEGRO AND ITS BENEFITS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF DESTINATION

The results of global market research have long been pointing to the fact that the importance of the creative economy is constantly increasing, with notable synergies with tourism appearing as a side effect, offering significant potential for increasing demand and developing new products, experiences and markets. This process results in a transition from conventional models of cultural tourism to new models based on intangible culture and contemporary creativity, interaction with the local population and active contribution to the sustainable development of visiting environment. All of the above are determinants of creative tourism, which UNESCO defined in 2006 as an engaged and unique tourist experience, with active learning about art, heritage or the special character of a place and establishing a connection with those who live there and create that culture of life. Bearing in mind the increasing demand in the domain of creative tourism, as well as the fact that significant results have been achieved in the region of southern Europe in the design and planning of creative and authentic tourist contents and products, the question arises as to whether Montenegro has the prerequisites for the development of this specific model of tourism and whether it has the potential to position itself on the tourist market as an attractive destination for creative tourists. The aim of this research is to explain in more detail what is meant by creative tourism, how it can impact the sustainable development of the destination and to analyze the possibilities of developing creative tourism in Montenegro, taking into account current tourism indicators and tourism development strategy.

Ukraine Rising: Contemporary Creative Culture from Ukraine

Ukraine Rising: Contemporary Creative Culture from Ukraine

СУЧАСНА ПОПУЛЯРНА КУЛЬТУРА ЧЕРЕЗ ПРИЗМУ ІСТОРИКО-ФІЛОСОФСЬКОЇ ВІЗІЇ

The article provides an analysis of contemporary popular culture and its influence on society. Focusing on current trends and aspects of popular culture, the article explores key factors that shape this culture and define its place in the modern world. Contemporary popular culture has gained recognition as a social phenomenon, exerting significant impact on various aspects of society. Its influence is manifested in the creation and dissemination of cultural artifacts that actively engage with societal stereotypes, values, and perspectives. These artifacts can stimulate discussions, alter consciousness, and contribute to social change. Through technological communication tools and global media, «cultural products» such as music, literature, films, the video game industry, fashion, are disseminated worldwide, facilitating the exchange of ideas, cultural convergence, and the emergence of global trends. With the aid of technological communication means, integral narratives spread rapidly across the globe, resulting in cultural hybridity and the development of shared cultural experiences. However, in the process of globalization, there are inherent risks of cultural homogenization and loss of cultural diversity. Popular culture often becomes subservient to global commercial interests, yet it also becomes an object of interpretation and resistance. Active consumers reproduce, transform, and utilize «cultural products» based on their unique contexts, values, and needs. This process presents opportunities for critical analysis, alternative interpretations, and the formation of new cultural norms. Integral trends become essential means of expression, recognition, and the search for personal and collective identities. This process can be conducive, but it can also give rise to conflicts and contradictions, particularly within the context of cultural diversity and globalization. Social media platforms not only facilitate the dissemination of cultural trends but also provide a platform for self-expression and interaction between content producers and consumers. This is complemented by augmented reality, artificial intelligence, blockchain, making contemporary creativity and consumption processes a unique phenomenon that continually unlocks new possibilities.

Development trends of variety art during the wartime

The relevance of the article. Currently, at the stage of the war in Ukraine, we simply cannot underestimate the power that the domestic variety vocal art can bring and develop. It can raise the spirit of the Ukrainian people and for the sake of uniting everybody against foreign aggression. Therefore, the study of creativity of domestic performers during the war is undoubtedly the most relevant topic in modern music.
 The purpose of the article is to study the functioning of variety vocal art during wartime in the musical space of Ukraine at the current stage. This purpose leads us to solve certain tasks that will help to explore different aspects of this process. Namely, to conduct an analysis of the contemporary creativity of Ukrainian artists in a patriotic context and to single out the main trends according to which the variety art of the country is currently develo-ping, in order to realize its importance for defeating the enemy.
 The methodology. The following general and special approaches are used in the work: comparative-analytical, structural-functional, induction and empirical approach. All the mentioned approaches made it possible to consider the problems of the article more comprehensively and reveal its tasks.
 The results. The activity of Ukrainian artists during the wartime is considered. It was noted that for domestic performers, the writing and implemen-tation of motivational compositions dictated by the modern realities of war is a mandatory element of their creativity, because their main task is to inspire with songs for victory and raise the spirit of the Ukrainian people.
 The importance of events, both regarding volunteer concerts for soldiers and performances at special fundraising events to help the Armed Forces in our country and abroad, was emphasized.
 The scientific novelty. The main trends in the functioning and development of the vocal variety art at the modern stage in Ukraine were identified. It has been proven that the activities of domestic artists are an important inspiring aspect for society. The importance of all considered trends for the country’s victory was also analyzed.
 The practical significance. The results obtained in the course of the research can be useful, in particular, for variety performers, as well as for studying such courses as the history and theory of modern music of Ukraine, the history and theory of vocal performance, and for understanding the important directions of the development of variety vocal art during the war.
 Conclusions. Having examined the panorama of the functioning of the domestic variety art nowadays, certain vector trends in the variety music art were identified, which shape its general development during the wartime.
 Thus, modern songs of our Ukrainian artists are energetically charged for success and help compatriots not to break down and to be filled with energy from music and lyrics that give strength to the people and inspire victory, and allow people all over the world to notice and feel what is currently happening in our country, so that everyone feels the strength and invincible spirit of our people. So, we can safely claim that variety music during martial law becomes the necessary heart of the nation, which even during war should fight and inspire life and victory, because song is the heart of the Ukrainian people.

The ‘Kalamata 1821: Roads of Freedom’

The purpose of this paper is to offer an overview of the Cultural Heritage Enhancement project “Kalamata 1821: Roads of Freedom” after its completion. “Kalamata 1821: Roads of Freedom” has been a co-financed by Greece and the European Union project which was placed under the wider scheme “Research, Creation and Innovation” NSRF (ESPA) 2014-2020. The pro-ject was implemented during the 2018-2021 period, i.e. by taking advantage of the celebration of the landmark of two centuries (1821-2021) since the uprising which led to the establishment of the Greek State. It was executed via a tripartite research association which consisted of the University of the Peloponnese, which assumed the role of the coordinator, the Community Enterprise of the Municipal-ity of Kalamata (ΦΑΡΙΣ) and the film production company View Master Films. The project’s aim has been to augment the footprint of Kalamata’s unique mod-ern heritage and make it known and accessible to wider and diversified audiences.The paper outlines the historical background and the conjuncture that inspired the project and thereafter traces the course of its deliverables, namely the produc-tion of the feature-length film “Wind of Freedom 1821”, the “Kalamata 1821 Digital Museum”, and the “Kalamata 1821” brand. It discusses how the pandemic affected the filming of the movie but despite the imposed delay it was fulfilled and screened in Kalamata’s Dance Hall in July 2021. It shows how the “Kalamata 1821 Digital Museum” set an example for raising the awareness of a city’s herit-age via the employment of new technologies. It presents how the “Kalamata 1821” brand attempts to set in motion the various cultural currents of the city in order to blend the historical tradition with the contemporary creativity. Addition-ally, it showcases the most successful aspect of the “Kalamata 1821” brand, i.e. the “Flavours of ‘21” and it discusses the digital applications that were developed but eventually were not used due to the ramification of the pandemic-related re-strictions.

La Scène au temps de l’Intelligence Artificelle

"The study makes a theoretical-predictive analysis of the transformations that the use of Artificial Intelligence and new media will generate in a medium time horizon in the theatre arts. Analysing some examples of contemporary creations in performing arts from Romania and other countries, it highlights different types of creativity through specific scenographic choices, dramaturgical compositions and spectator’s involvement, which break the tradition and draw a new horizon of scenic and performative experiences thanks to the intelligent use of new technologies and virtual realities. The directions targeted are aesthetic, professional and following the evolution of the act of reception. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, theatre and new technologies, live and virtual performances, online broadcast, virtual set design, immersive theatrical experience."

Crossing Lines: Stylistic gradients in Chinese electroacoustic music

In this article, I discuss the case of Chinese electroacoustic music with a focus on contemporary music, Asian instruments and mixed music. I pay particular attention to mixed music, without however limiting myself to it, also dealing with contemporary Western-style instrumental music. Several authors have discussed the question of the relationship between contemporary creation and certain stylistic factors of Asian cultures. They questioned what might constitute identifiable traits unique to Asia that could be observed in contemporary creations and they sought to determine whether systems of relationships can be established. Some, such as Chou Wen-Chung (周文中 Zhou Wenzhong), emphasised syncretism, thus establishing a link with the works of anthropology and cultural studies. In his 1971 article, ‘Asian Concepts and Twentieth-Century Western Composers’, Chou cites many examples that tend to emphasise notions of integration and syncretism across various stylistic gradients found in many composers, mostly Western. More recently, musicologist Yayoi Uno Everett described distinct categories in these relationships, on the part of both Asian and Western composers. This article attempts to find which cultural gradients can be observed in the electroacoustic music production of Chinese composers. For instance, the specific case of mixed music creates an unprecedented situation of contact between instrument and sound material in the context of renewed intercultural relations.

Tracing our Sky. Feminist and Queer Constellations: Archives and Contemporary Creation

Tracing our Sky. Feminist and Queer Constellations: Archives and Contemporary Creation

NATURAL SELECTION AT NEW COLLEGE: THE EVOLUTION OF SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY AT A SCOTTISH PRESBYTERIAN SEMINARY

AbstractThe contemporary creation–evolution debate has become so polarized (over the issue of either Genesis or evolutionary science) as to obscure the more nuanced questions that have arisen in the historical and theological reception of Darwinism. Edinburgh's New College has been the academic home to some prominent scientists and theologians who have grappled with these questions since the early days of evolutionary science in the first half of the nineteenth century. Most obviously, this activity was focused on the decision to create a Chair in Natural Science in 1845, which would be occupied by a recognized scientist. The Chair became “extinct” in the 1930s, but in between times, its holders made important theological assessments of evolution along the way. This article outlines the contributions made by the individuals who occupied this Chair, as well as more recent figures in the evolution of science and theology at New College.

‘Creative City’ R.I.P.?

‘Creative City’ R.I.P.?

Social Perspective in the Works of Thilakavathi, IPS

There are many writers in literature who reflect on society. These contemporary literary creations talk about society and the glitches that have arisen in society. But they point out only the shortcomings in the society except few who offer solutions to solve them. In that perspective, Thilakavathi has been expressing various thoughts connected to society in her works. She has been involved in writing poetry in Tamil literature and started writing short stories. The purpose of this research paper is to illustrate how Thilakavathi having worked in the police force and happened to witness misfortunes that are happening in the society volunteered to write, create works so as to reform the society, listen to the grievances of the people to protect them, and live up to the ethical responsibilities.

From mechanism to organicism: thoughts on linear perspective and re-contextualizing contemporary Chinese art

In the context of art history, the rise and fall of linear perspective in painting is typically discussed as a framework for studying changes in artistic styles. This essay aims to re-examine the modes of thinking behind artistic practice between the sixteenth and twenty-first centuries, investigating how shifts in ways of thinking have been applied to artistic creation and noting that the rise and decline of linear perspective are aligned with changes in philosophical thinking in the corresponding periods. Furthermore, cybernetics has penetrated contemporary artistic creation as a further current in organic thinking. The current tendency in contemporary Chinese art is towards technological art, which is based on a cybernetic mindset rather than traditional Chinese art. Focusing on linear perspective in artworks, I compare the relationship between linear perspective, mechanism, and organicism during the same period, in the hope of bringing an appreciation of the sublime back into the work of art, whilst also, countering the sinking homogeneous tendencies of technological systems established by cybernetics.

State-of-the-art of theoretical creativity models: three epistemological effects of a constructivist approach in systems thinking

This paper presents a brief state-of-the-art of the most influential theoretical attempts to model the creativity. Incorporating constructivist epistemology, systems thinking considers the relationship between the observer and the observed system. This dynamic loop explains that we do not discover reality, but rather construct it, and that what we observe is not the real world itself, but the real world exposed to the effects of our method of questioning. This approach has at least three epistemological consequences. First, the systems approach itself is intrinsically creative as a modelling method and the models created are capable of generating original solutions. Second, the possibility of parallelism exists between the evolution of theoretical models of creativity and the socio-cultural evolution of the scientific view from which researchers model them. Third, it is impossible to establish a perfect theoretical model of creativity because human beings’ natural creativity comes from the dynamic distance between the real world and the augmented real world, and the gap it imposes can never be totally modelized. Finally, these three epistemological effects being defined, the systemic approach is relevant to the study of contemporary creativity because it integrates in particular the complexity of eco-social systems and the digitalization of the real world. Among other possibilities, we propose nevertheless to integrate more human imagination and non-human creativity in future models.