In this episode, I reconnect with my longtime friend (and ex dancing buddy) Andy Noble to delve into his unique perspective on creativity. Our conversation spans his journey from a breakdancing teenager to a dance professor and choreographer, highlighting how his experiences have shaped his artistic vision and ideas on creativity.
We talk about the power of creative collaboration, why constraints fuel innovation, and his research into the intersection of dance, tech and neuroscience.
🕺Guest: Andy Noble – Dance professor, choreographer, co-director of NobleMotion Dance, and TedTalk presenter👀
🤔In This Episode We Explore:
Early Influences: You might not feel creative as a kid if you're marinating in it with creatives all around you. However, what you experience will profoundly shape your artistic sensibilities.
The Power of Small Gestures: Andy’s music teacher inadvertently set him on his life’s path. Opening her classroom early not only provided him a sanctuary but exposed him to dance. Remember, minor actions can have lasting impacts.
Originality and Inspiration: Echoing Mark Twain's sentiment, Andy believes that most ideas are borrowed - and that’s not a bad thing. Creativity is remixing, honouring, enhancing, and making it your own.
Constraints Fuel Creativity: Problem solving with whatever parameters the situation presents is key. Limitations can lead to powerful artistic expressions.
Integrating Technology: For technology to enhance art, it must be woven into the creative process from the beginning, ensuring it complements rather than overshadows the human element.
Collaborative Creation: Andy emphasises the joy and value of collaboration and sees it as the heartbeat of good work. He enjoys working closely with his wife Dionne and their dancers but also with collaborators from other disciplines: musicians, neuroscientists, and set and lighting designers.
Science Meets Art: Projects like "LiveWire" and "Meeting of Minds" showcase the exciting fusion of dance and neuroscience, exploring how movement can inform our understanding of the brain.
Dance and the Brain: Andy advocates for recognising dance as a neurologically complex activity. Through his TedTalk, "Neuroscience Worth Dancing About" he’s highlighting its cognitive benefits.
Modeling Creativity: Kids watch what we do so demonstrating a dedicated creative life provides a blueprint for them, teaching the importance of passion, perseverance, and hard work.
🔗 Links + Resources:
🌈 The Vibrancy Society – Come hang out with me and explore the art of living a lit-up life
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