What we’re reading, watching, listening to, and thinking about at the Center for Artistic Activism in the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. Election
In our workshops, we teach our view of the Creative Process. It’s four phases that we’re constantly running through in a cycle:
- Observer: Research
- Inventor: Sketch
- Critic: Evaluate
- Worker Bee: Act
In the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. election, we are digging in to the Observer phase. Here’s more about it — and the things we’ve been researching.
About the Observer Phase
No one creates new things — we just create new combinations of things that came before. Even the most innovative thinkers aren’t thinking entirely “new” thoughts; they are curious about the world, collecting inspiration, and making new connections between what already exists.
In order to make new combinations, we need to seek out and gather inspiration from diverse sources. We must observe and explore.
Creative exploration means moving through the world with wonder and observing without judgment. We all collect things that capture our imagination, that we draw upon and refer back to — the books on your shelf, photos on your phone, notebooks you keep, and people you meet. Your discoveries when observing the world include everything you take notice of: movies you went to (and hated) or TV you feel guilty about watching (and more guilty about enjoying). Experiences of all types serve as points of inspiration we can draw from in the next step of the creative process.
Read more about the Creative Process here.
C4AA’s Observer Picks
Watch
From Krystal
TV shows including: English Teacher, Friends, The Vampire Diaries, Family Feud, and holiday baking competition shows
“These are things I’ve been watching to get away from politics. English Teacher is hilarious and I’m obsessed with Brian Jordan Alvarez and the videos he posts on Instagram. Friends and The Vampire Diaries (hehe) are for those times I need a familiar favorite on. Family Feud and baking competition shows are ones I watch with my family for family time and an easy watch.” – Krystal
Listen
From Amber
“These are some songs and vocal performances I listen to when I need to sit under the word. There is nothing like a powerful singer to lift my mood and spark my imagination.”
“In this era of the internet, I can get overwhelmed with information, and I found DJ sets and a few entertaining podcasts that allow me to learn passively. I am also inspired by their obvious and subtle ways of utilizing Black Imagination. Lovie’s Summer School Radio on Lot Radio and Black House Radio got me into listening to DJ sets. I am a big fan of @PharoahRapture (Myles E. Johnson) writing and discovered their podcast Pod Save The People.”
Plus: “Lovett or Leave it,” “Marc Maron’s WTF,” “The Brian Lehrer Show,” and this playlist by Krystal.
Read
From Rebecca
Block, Build & Bridge Resources
“A growing number of links and resources from practical to inspirational.”
From Amber
Guide: Resources that DRAGGED my ass out of the matrix
“An ongoing resourced guide to help understand oppression and a way forward. I find comfort in resource guides, hyperlinks, bibliographies, notes, and any other shared resource that provides information on a path toward liberation and a deeper understanding of life. A step toward getting free and gaining a deeper understanding is to pull out of the Matrix.”
From Rachel
10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won
“Tons of support and practical ideas for how to fight back and move forward in our current reality.”
From Stephen
Authoritarians like Trump love fear, defeatism, surrender. Do not give them what they want
