How Many Visionary Artists Are Mentally Ill?
The article explores how artists' visionary experiences are often misinterpreted as mental illness, highlighting figures like William Blake and Robert Frost, and advocating for a deeper understanding of creativity's connection to these phenomena.
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the context of various artists and their experiences with visionary encounters, suggesting that these phenomena are often dismissed as mental illness rather than recognized as a source of creativity. The article discusses historical and contemporary figures, such as William Blake and Robert Frost, who experienced visions and voices that influenced their artistic output. It highlights the tension between the perception of visionary experiences as either a gift or a mental disorder, noting that many artists fear the medicalization of their experiences. The author argues that these encounters are not only common among creative individuals but also resonate with ancient practices of shamanism and mysticism. The piece concludes by emphasizing the importance of dreams and visionary experiences in the creative process, citing numerous examples of famous songs inspired by dreams. Ultimately, it calls for a broader understanding of the relationship between creativity and visionary experiences, challenging the prevailing narrative that equates them solely with mental illness.
- Visionary experiences among artists are often dismissed as mental illness.
- Historical figures like William Blake and Robert Frost had significant visionary encounters that influenced their work.
- Many contemporary artists fear the medicalization of their creative experiences.
- Dreams play a crucial role in the creative process, often inspiring famous songs.
- The article advocates for a more nuanced understanding of the connection between creativity and visionary experiences.
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5 commentssome mix of money,class,culture,fame and geography will work to shield all but the predetory violent madmen
one interesting modern development is bluetooth as it provides a constant background of people talking to themselves,gesturing and laughing
that,and at least in the west there are hordes of semi functional dimented elders weirding the mix
You need to be out there a little bit to do something unique. Being out there comes at a cost, it's harder to form relationships with people.
Being sufficiently creative is a mental illness.
“Mentally ill”?
Check my last few threads, discussing the voices in our heads are actually disembodied others and we are not alone in our own minds.
This denial is dangerous and must end.
You can’t create beautiful art unless you are crazy about art itself.
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