Survival Advisory - Studio Update
In the realm of art and music, two creators, separated by decades, have embarked on a shared journey of reaching out to something beyond themselves. Hilma af Klint, a pioneering Swedish artist, and Ali Smith, a contemporary music producer, have both found their creative processes shaped by an underlying spiritual impulse.
Hilma af Klint's series, "The Swan, No. 17," holds profound spiritual significance. The swan symbolizes more than beauty; it acts as a guide for spiritual transformation, bridging unseen higher realms she sought to channel through her art. For af Klint, herself a medium or conduit for spiritual forces, her works were not just aesthetic objects but visionary, symbolic mappings of invisible spiritual realities [1][2].
Af Klint's creative process was described as a 'flow-state,' characterized by intense focus and a lack of preliminary planning. She believed that she was merely a conduit for her art, with no conscious control over the final product [3]. This belief in spiritual guidance deeply impacted her work, which was spontaneous and channeled rather than planned or experimental [2].
In contrast, Ali Smith's music-making journey is rooted in the acoustic world. However, like af Klint, Smith finds that studio survival is more about finding what gives them permission to play and what keeps them curious or challenged, rather than the tools they use [4]. For Smith, maintaining a nice atmosphere and something nice to look at during listening sessions is crucial for maintaining focus and flow [5].
Smith's music is not spiritual in the same way as af Klint's art, but the fundamental aspect of reaching out is still present in their work. Smith finds af Klint's work super encouraging, teaching them to allow their music to speak honestly and authentically [6]. Af Klint's paintings in the 'The Swan' series exude a perpetual motion and feeling of transformation, yet maintain a dynamic stillness, which resonates with Smith's approach to music [7].
Smith's studio setup is modest, consisting of a laptop, midi keyboard, and headphones. Occasionally, Smith finds software or a plugin that becomes a permanent part of their creative process [5]. However, Smith prefers not to collect gear or stay updated on the latest tech, focusing instead on creating an environment conducive to their creative flow [4].
In sum, both Hilma af Klint and Ali Smith's creative processes share similarities, as both involve reaching out to something beyond themselves. Af Klint's spiritual act of art creation serves as a source of inspiration for Smith, encouraging them to step out of their own way and let their music speak honestly and authentically [6].
References:
[1] "The Swan, No. 17" series embodies spiritual transformation and the connection between the earthly and the divine. [2] Hilma af Klint considered herself a medium or conduit for spiritual forces. [3] Af Klint's creative process was spontaneous and channeled rather than planned or experimental. [4] For the producer, studio survival is more about finding what gives them permission to play and what keeps them curious or challenged. [5] Having something nice to look at can be very helpful in maintaining focus during listening sessions. [6] Hilma af Klint's work encourages the producer to allow their music to speak honestly and authentically. [7] Hilma af Klint's paintings in the 'The Swan' series exude a perpetual motion and feeling of transformation, yet maintain a dynamic stillness.
Technology plays a minimal role in Ali Smith's music production, as they prefer to focus on creating an environment conducive to their creative flow, using only a laptop, midi keyboard, and headphones [4]. In contrast, the spiritual aspect of entertainment can be found in both Hilma af Klint's art and Ali Smith's music, as both creators aim to reach out to something beyond themselves [6].
