Urban neighborhoods are usually filled with energy and inspiration.
Every time I walk into a metropolitan area, it feels the same – an atmosphere filled with stories yet to be uncovered.
I vividly recall my first visit to NYC.
The vibe was simply electrifying.
There were honking taxis while on the street performers dispersed inspiration everywhere they went. It was simply awe inspiring.
It felt that every building and every passer by was a stroke of inspiration, making the city a canvas meant to tell a story.
Learning how to seek out inspiration from the cosmopolitan extravaganza can be an invaluable tool for any creative mind.
All of us busy individuals, comprehend how overwhelming the fast pace of urban life can be.
However, a single blast of energy slow can unveil what the urban sprawl has to offer.
From being an artist to an entrepreneur, every engrossing scene bustling around you is a well of opportunity ready to be unlocked.
This is immensely true that cities do guide the way we think and feel, often providing the gentle push we need to start thinking differently and deeply.
Now that said, let’s understand how we can channel such energy and find inspiration in the urban landscape around us.
The Power of Observation
Embrace your surroundings.
The diversity of different views is one of the most marvelous features of urban living and can be seen around every corner. Imagine strolling through New York which has tall buildings and a wide range of buildings, In every neighbourhood there is a story, a story that every side contains, every side of every street has a story to tell. I still remember how in one of the street fairs in Brooklyn, I had a chance to meet a photographer, whose name is Mark. He told me how during just one walk on the Smith Street he had a wonderful opportunity to take a number of photographs which eventually received an accolade. While walking along side a colorful restaurant terrace he noted the effect created by the sun on the different colored umbrella`s he saw outside. That absolute fraction of time prompted him to experiment with shadow and light in the end producing a work that was a rendition of the soul of the city. Urban forms have their own architectural masterpieces and a multi ethnic population. The fusion of modern architecture together with old building suggest a renovation or redesign. Pause for a moment and concentrate on the wall graffiti or the brick structure that is several generations old. This all is what gives the area its character and what might be a source of ideas for your works.
Connect with Local Artists
Finding inspiration in urban languages is easier when you learn to connect with local art. Making a conscious effort to search for local art entails searching through the vibrant murals, street performers, and exhibitions present in a city.
One of my favorite memories was getting lost in the vibrant murals present in San Francisco’s Mission district. The incredible murals told the stories of Latino people living in San Francisco.
While I was appreciating one of the murals, I met Lucia who in fact happens to be an artist herself.
The mural that she painted inspired Lucia to create a new large canvas that showcases her journey as an immigrant.
Being a part of the community and coming across stories of other individuals motivated her to tell her own story through art.
The stories we see around the community is ignited by a different flame within each person and finding such art pieces enables others to showcase their creativity to the world.
Street art, engagement with local galleries and exhibitions are all pieces a person can engage with in order to find inspiration.
Galleries are filled with modern art and contemporary ideas that have their own story behind them and seeing them helps ignite one’s creativity.
Networking with other creatives is easier to do when living in urban areas filled with a city’s art.
Engaging and working with other creatives ensure that you’re never out of ideas.
Cities are alive with dreamers, like you—a writer, a musician, an artist and many more who seek to bring out their creativity to the world. I vaguely recall a cold and windy evening a couple of years ago when I was in Austin visiting a cafe to meet up with other locals. People were abuzz with fervor as they prepared to talk about their writing. It was also around that time when I came across Sarah, a writer who had just recently immigrated to the country. She was a little disoriented as it seemed she did not have a feeling of direction along with a voice. As the night grew older I could see her slowly emerging from her shell and finally sharing what she had in mind. The open atmosphere made her a bit more confident and she expressed her feeling for a few of her poems, mind you they were all unedited and real. Honestly, by the end of the event, Sarah not only got a handful of friends that related to her but she also made a couple of good connections. To be honest anyone that is exploring the creative space can find their spark in when they attend local events. Someone wise once said, “Diversity is the spice of life” and truthfully that kind of holds in to this scenario, the ideas and experiences that people have vary greatly and hence it acts as a source of inspiration. Everyone you meet has something different to say, someone’s story can easily shape the way you see the world.
Consider the case of Jake, a musician who I encountered during my visit to San Francisco. Jake was known for his mellifluous voice and he used to croon on the street corners for passersby to listen. One day, a bunch of street entertainers came to him and asked him to join them in a performance. Jake turned them down but was anxious that their fusion might not work. Following a few jam sessions, it occurred to him that they were developing something wonderful together – a new genre that was the melting pot of jazz, hip-hop, and folk. That Joint effort resulted in a ground breaking album which not only had his vocal talent on display but also the myriad of sounds that the city had to offer. Experiencing various viewpoints can broaden your vision and enable you to think outside the box and evolve. Nature amidst the Concrete Desert Remember to find green areas. Amid all the cement and pandemonium, city settings frequently conceal beautiful greenery. Parks and gardens are available that serve as perfect complements to the busy life of a city and provide a point to draw inspiration from. I remember one Central Park where I visited with a sketchbook in my hand. Babbling brooks, winding paths and a quiet area adjacent to a little pond encircled by elated flowers were picture perfect.
After settling myself down on a bench, I began to observe my surroundings and doodle which instilled in me a burst of creative ideas.
Playing with the colors of flowers and light reflections on the water gave me a whole new perspective in regard to my painting.
It served as a gentle reminder to me that even though I inhabit a busy city, there exist quiet and minimally populated areas which encourage out of the box thinking.
Do not shy away from trying to look for such peaceful locations they just might become a source of inspiration for your big projects.
City Nature Strolls
City nature strolls can be a great caveat to experience the beautiful fusion of nature with the city.
Rooftop and Botanical gardens are often times the best kept secret awaiting to be uncovered.
There exists a lot of greenery and trees that aids a building in becoming an oasis rather than an eyesore, for instance a rooftop garden I once visited in Chicago.
During my time as a Landscape architect, I was completely enamored by how the architects incorporated unique plant species in order to construct a good looking yet eco-friendly building.
The design of the space stimulated new realms of imagination in my brain in regard to how green areas can compliment urban life.
Acceptance of the everyday
Focus on Finding Beauty in the Routine, Finding Beauty in the Ordinary.
In the complex journey called life, there are times when we tend to ignore the components which bring out the beauty in our day to day lives.
However, if you take a minute to really study, you can find inspiration in the most unlikely of locations.
Allow me to share with you a story on a poet, Alex, who I once encountered with.
His schedule was pretty standard: each morning he would take the subway to his workplace in Manhattan.
Superficially, there’s nothing very fascinating about a subway filled with people.
But Alex was better than that. He picked up the pieces of that disarray.
Instead, he began noticing the finer details: the way sunlight glinted on the metal poles, the distinctive features on people’s faces, or the bits and pieces of discussion that wafted around.
In fact, one of the instances that left him speechless, was one where an elderly lady was deep in thought while clutching onto a faded picture of a young girl.
This specific instant came to be one of the main highlights of one of his poems filled with emotions and vivid scenes.
It shows how a commonplace idea is transformed to the extraordinary: a simple photo which most people typically wouldn’t have bothered looking at.
Everything we do regularly can inspire us if we try to attention to them.
Give yourself the opportunity to engage in the metacognition.
Document Your Journey
You can use harness your creativity by developing the habit of documenting all your processes and their amenities.
Journaling and Sketching has been a great resource. When an idea comes to mind, more likely, it will be lost if it is not documented in some way.
Back In my younger days, there was this really cold Saturday, I felt inspired to go check my local cafe out.
With its well-altered chairs or perhaps the exposed brick walls, the cafe was right in my reach. More than the walls though, it was the ambiance and the lighting that made the place so inviting.
And taking a sip of my coffee, I pulled out my sketchbook and started doodling.
Watching the barista who had vivid purple hair decorate my latte was classy.
That design I sketched, Later sparked multiple other sketches that I made while working on the previous local craft show.
And it’s funny how a cup of coffee suddenly turns into an artistic mess once you start scribbling down your thoughts.
Always remember that little moments might inspire stunning pieces. Writing at least notes or making sketches over dull conversations might help you as an artist too.
You can never go wrong with scribbling down ideas in a planner.
Can you really rhyme a single piece when talking about opening up your creativity? The inspiration rushes in right away, but there is still too much noise waiting for the pieces to come together, the edges to melt.
Yes, focusing on minute details is one of the ways to get things started while hoping for inspiration in a crowd to come.
Try paying close attention to the setting that surrounds you instead of attempting to focus on a broader amalgamation of details.
For example, if you’re situated outdoors, try noticing the texture of the sidewalk, the sound of laughter at nearby tables, or the way sunlight manages to peek through the leaves of the trees.
In turn, this promotes a sense of intimacy that fosters for innovative thinking and idea generation.
Here comes the question how do I bring in Architecture or Urban Inspiration into my Art or Writing?
There is no definite answer to this question but one thing is for sure, it is all experimental.
For example, when creating art or writing, try to integrate aspects of your environment.
For instance, if you’re planning on painting a picture, you can try using the colorful graffiti you see on the streets as a color palette, or if you try composing a song, you can try using the musical rhythm the birds generate instead.
Let your environment affect your work—what ideas you go with and your style.
What are the Neighborhoods that Spark Creativity?
Absolutely!
Some areas have stood above the rest due to their sheer creativity
For example, Brooklyn, especially Williamsburg is known for its galleries, street art, and active members setting up art centres, now that’s a creative neighbourhood for you.
Another perfect example would have to be – San Francisco’s Mission District which has numerous murals and creative set pieces trying to tell a rich and vibrant cover narrative to its audience.
Such a beautiful work area is bound to enable social engagement which is sure to awaken some creativity inside you.
Conclusion
In the context of urban space, looking for creative ideas is not only about looking for idea but rather it is an exploration process where many opportunities lie.
Cities are brimming with potential ideas, experiences, and stories waiting to be created.
Appropriate observation, networking, appreciating the greenery in the middle of skyscrapers and finding beauty in the mundane can definitely trigger your imaginative side and take your art to the next level.
Sometimes, inspiration hides behind the most random of things whether it’s a bump in the subway, street art or skyscrapers.
So don’t be afraid of stepping outside the four walls of your house. It’s time to explore and you will surely be amazed by the endless possibilities your place has to offer.
There is potential in every single direction, it up to you to seek out.
