Uniting Voices Chicago’s Post

Creative processes are complex entities with minds of their own. Their path forward is difficult to predict; you never know beforehand what you're really getting into when you start a project. But once you're "somewhere, creatively speaking," you can usually look back and understand how you arrived there. My latest blog post touches upon the subject, with an emphasis on how creative themes intertwine and feed one another. https://lnkd.in/exDf5G8c

The second part in this series where we discuss the workings of a litfest at length is live now. #RecommendedReads #KCBlogs #ThursdayThoughts #AuthorsLife #LiteratureFestivals https://lnkd.in/d8qfdz_3

World-building wizards, elevate your alien civilizations! 🪐 Craft immersive societies with structured governments, cultural norms & rich lore. Tap into pro tips for power dynamics, decision-making & enforcement. Level up your writing with this guide! 📘✨

When an author can create a world it can help inspire readers and authors alike and transport them into your imagination. This blog explores some of the ways that this can be done and it is interesting reading ♥️.

Really important and interesting conference recently organised by ICOM-CC (International Council of Museums - Committee for Conservation) and FFC-R (Féderation Française des Conservateurs-Restaurateurs) called “What’s in a name? The conservator-restorer: a definition” To remark one crucial point in the European battle to regulate and defend the profession, the presentation from Raphaël Gérard, member of the French Parliament: “Protecting the title of conservator to enhance the protection of cultural heritage: a project to change the French legislation” “I also wanted to talk about the economic aspect of this because that has helped us to consolidate the actual function of a conservator-restorer so that helps us really place in an organisational chart in the sense that they have a master’s degree is reassuring for worksite project managers or project owners (maîtres d’ouvrage) so for instance a local Authority may find reassurance in knowing that these conservator-restorers are there to support them. For your professions as well again this is likely to create jobs, salaried employment for those who wish. This already the case actually, major companies in this field that work on major sites in general they tend to have at least one conservator-restorer as part of their team when they prepare their bid but also when they conduct the actual work so they adapt their working methods.” Part 1/2: https://lnkd.in/dc3gG8Yi Part 2/2: https://lnkd.in/dPGhzq4E (French) Partie 1/2: https://lnkd.in/dPvy9ThH (French) Partie 2/2: https://lnkd.in/dsrfKQqC

An important lesson from history

Have you ever been struck by the beauty of the stunning eyes of Butsuzō (Buddhist statuary)? Have you ever wondered what they were made from? Well, we will cover it in our new blog entry for Butsuzōtion! This is not an ordinary blog -- beyond theory, we will show you the hands-on pictures of how this process might have been executed! When you are ready, click on the link below and enjoy our new blog entry: “Gyokugan: The Windows to the Soul.”

“In this Film Courage video interview, UCLA Screenwriting Chair shares the biggest different between bad art and great #art." While the interview is mostly about film, the concept of bad and great art can be applied across art forms. The idea that great art is life changing is intriguing. For me, it raises even more questions including, what qualifies as life changing? The answer to this question can narrow or widen the number of works of art that qualify. In my thinking, the answer to this is individual and personal. Allow your students to discuss and debate this question. The ensuing discussion promises to be lively and enlightening. How do you define bad art and great art? I encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments. #MuseumEducation https://lnkd.in/gBZzYWBU

In contemporary society, the deconstruction of Western narrative reveals itself as fertile ground for exploring complex themes related to identity, perception of reality, and the crisis of traditional storytelling. This questioning invites us to consider how traditional stories and narratives, once fundamental pillars of our understanding of the world and our cultural identity, are progressively losing their significance and influence. Contemporary society, with its reliance on new digital media and constant exposure to a multitude of information, is characterized by a crisis of narrative that has profound implications for our perception of reality and our identity construction. This crisis is particularly evident in Western narratives, which are being challenged by emerging alternatives. The realization that our reality is not singular and fixed, and that identity is fluid, undermines the pillars of our cultural systems. A significant example of this transformation is the work of Little Simz, who is contributing to creating a new narrative. Through her music, stories, and visual art, Little Simz speaks of decolonization, challenging European/Western power and narrative. Her work confronts traditional narratives and offers a fresh, critical perspective on contemporary reality, highlighting the experiences and voices often marginalized. Moreover, Little Simz's videos are a striking blend of narrative and fashion, using style as a powerful tool to enhance her message. The fashion in her videos is not just aesthetic but a form of expression and resistance, adding layers of meaning to her decolonizing efforts. By integrating fashion into her storytelling, she redefines cultural identity and proposes new ways of understanding the world. This crisis is not just a challenge but also an opportunity to reconsider and reinvent how we understand and narrate our experiences. Through a critical exploration of the relationship between narrative, identity, and cultural expression, we can hope to find new ways of understanding and constructing meaning in contemporary society. This context aims to explore the theme of narrative deconstruction and transformation in light of the crisis of Western storytelling and its implications for our understanding of the world and ourselves. The contribution of artists like Little Simz is fundamental in this process of redefinition, as they invite us to question dominant power structures and consider alternative narratives that reflect a more inclusive and diverse reality.

A wonderful new review of ‘Sword And Fire.’    'The world-building is rich and immersive, particularly in your descriptions of distinct regions like Welfasten, Stonefall Fortress, and the surrounding landscape,' F I love creating exciting magical worlds for readers to explore and become part of, so I was delighted with this review. If you fancy exploring Mercia, click on the link below 🌏 https://lnkd.in/eg4uY7Nc?