Abstract: The Art of Design, Episode 1 features illustrator and graphic artist, Christoph Niemann who takes the viewer on a journey through the wonders of abstract design as well as the trials and tribulations in the difficulty of creative inspiration.
As a fellow artist, what I really liked about this episode is that Christoph—as talented as he is and having designed 22 covers for The New Yorker magazine, whole heartedly admits the difficulty of coming up with another good, creative design and on command. He insists that every good idea becomes difficult because you cannot repeat it and how you measure yourself against that crazy moment or spark of creativity and then fearfully, are expected to repeat it. To this, Christoph maintains that to overcome these fears, you have to practice. He says, “Athletes and musicians practice. Why are artists any different?” It’s not about waiting for hours for this moment where inspiration strikes. You have to enable the chance for something to happen and you have to practice. In other words, you just have to keep at it and keep drawing and creating for ideas to flow. It’s nice to know this because ALL artists, and creative persons alike have the same fears. Its a relief to know I am not an exception.
“Thirteen Lives” is a drama based on the incredible true story of the Tham Luang cave rescue and the massive global effort to save the thirteen boys of a Thai soccer team and their coach who become trapped in a flooded, elaborate cave system.
Most of us are familiar with the remarkable cave rescue operation to save the thirteen boys but, what I liked most about this film is how it shows people coming together to work for a common goal against all odds. What makes this story so extraordinary is the courage, tenacity, and selflessness of every single person involved in this miraculous rescue story—from the soccer coach who kept the kids calm and collected for 17 days in the cavern, to the community who sacrificed the livelihood of their rice fields and used their logic in how to divert the water filling the caves, to the unwavering determination of the Thai navy seals and last but, not least the British cave divers who ultimately risked their lives to save the boys. Prior to watching this film, I knew nothing about cave diving. Watching the gripping story unfold of how these ordinary, everyday men who were not paid and volunteered out of pure selflessness to save the boys was truly astonishing yet humbling to say the least. I highly recommend this film to everyone. One would have to have a heart of stone to not be moved by this incredible, poignant story.
Reviews by Kelsey S.
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