Design Better Podcast Episode Summary: Adam Moss – The Work of Art
Design Better, hosted by Eli Woolery and Aaron Walter, delves into the intricate intersections of design, technology, and the creative process. In the November 6, 2024 episode titled "Adam Moss: The Work of Art," co-hosts engage in a profound conversation with Adam Moss, author of The Work of Art: How Something Comes from Nothing. Formerly the editor-in-chief of New York Magazine, Moss embarks on a quest to understand the essence of creativity, particularly through the lens of painting. This episode unpacks the red threads that connect diverse creative expressions, the significance of mentorship, the nurturing of creativity, and how Moss's exploration has influenced his own artistic endeavors.
1. Adam Moss's Journey to The Work of Art
Adam Moss transitions from a long-standing career in magazine editing to pursue his passion for painting. This shift is marked by frustration over his perceived mediocrity in art, prompting him to investigate how accomplished artists overcome similar struggles. Moss states:
"I was very frustrated by my own mediocrity. I began to wonder why and also to wonder how it is that artists who are successful at this pursuit did it." (05:02)
His investigative approach involved interviewing a diverse array of creatives—from visual artists and novelists to chefs and architects—to uncover commonalities in their creative processes.
2. Understanding Creativity: Subconscious and the Mystical
Moss explores the enigmatic nature of creativity, questioning whether it's a spiritual act or rooted in the subconscious mind. He reflects:
"I see it as a mystical act, in a sense, and I think there's a lot of unknown in it." (07:48)
While some interviewees attribute their creative impulses to otherworldly or divine sources, Moss emphasizes the role of the subconscious, suggesting that creativity often stems from an unexplored mental landscape.
3. The Role of Mentorship and Partnerships in Creativity
Mentorship emerges as a pivotal theme in Moss's discussions. Using Samin Nosrat's experience as an example, Moss illustrates how finding the right mentors and creative partners can catalyze artistic success:
"Samin recognized that the way that Wendy was expressing herself visually... was a kissing cousin to the way that Samin thought and at that point was writing." (17:37)
This symbiotic relationship underscores the importance of collaboration and guidance in refining one's creative vision.
4. Embracing Happy Accidents and Openness to the Unknown
The creative process is often non-linear, filled with unexpected turns and "happy accidents." Moss recounts Sophia Coppola's decision to leave a poignant scene in Lost in Translation inaudible, allowing the audience to engage more deeply:
"She just decided, let's move forward. Let's make the scene happen, and then we'll figure it out... that's what she did there." (13:46)
This openness to unforeseen developments enables artists to harness spontaneous creativity, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for innovation.
5. The Importance of Practice and Volume of Work
Consistent practice and the sheer volume of work are essential for creative mastery. Moss relates his personal routine:
"I just kind of make a painting a day. I do portraits and figures... it's just incredibly helpful." (43:36)
He echoes the sentiment that making numerous attempts, including failures, is integral to honing one's craft and discovering what resonates.
6. Common Threads Across Disciplines: Imagination, Judging, Shaping
Despite the diversity of creative fields, Moss identifies universal stages in the creative process:
- Reporting Process: Gathering and reporting ideas.
- Judging: Evaluating and strategizing based on the influx of ideas.
- Shaping: Crafting the final work with refined skills.
This framework applies whether one is writing a novel, designing a painting, or even creating a hamburger, highlighting the interconnectedness of creative endeavors.
7. The Value of Artistic Artifacts in Understanding Creativity
Artifacts such as sketches, doodles, and notebooks serve as tangible blueprints of an artist's thought process. Moss is particularly drawn to these remnants:
"I love them because I love squiggles and I love drawings, and I love the unmediated aspect of them." (35:32)
He shares the example of Frank Gehry’s loose doodle that prefigures the iconic Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, illustrating how these fragments capture the essence and evolution of creative ideas.
8. Personal Revelations and Changes in Moss's Creative Process
Engaging with fellow artists transformed Moss's relationship with his own art. Initially frustrated with his inability to appreciate his work, he learned to find joy in the act of creation itself:
"I began to embrace the making. I began to take more seriously the interest and absorption and pleasure I had in the making." (43:44)
This shift from outcome-focused to process-oriented creativity enriched his artistic practice and sustained his passion.
9. Surprises and Revelations in the Creative Process
Moss encountered numerous unexpected insights during his interviews. From Kara Walker’s logical use of PowerPoint to construct her sugar sphinx installation, to Louise Glück’s poetic revelations from dreams, these moments underscored the unpredictable nature of creativity:
"All the ways in which these things happened were surprising to me. But in the end, what I guess I realized is that surprise is actually part of the process." (37:59)
Understanding how to harness these surprises became a key takeaway in comprehending the creative journey.
10. Conclusion: The Essence of Creative Perseverance
Ultimately, Moss emphasizes that persistence through frustration and failure is what distinguishes successful artists. As he reflects on Ira Glass’s insight:
"The moment that most people give up. They have a dream. They don't yet have the skills to execute that dream... the perseverance through that frustration that enabled them eventually to be so accomplished." (31:27)
The Work of Art serves as a testament to the resilience and unwavering dedication required to transform nascent ideas into impactful creations.
This episode offers a rich exploration of creativity's multifaceted nature, providing listeners with valuable insights into the minds of accomplished artists and the universal challenges they navigate. Adam Moss's thoughtful analysis bridges the gaps between various creative disciplines, offering a coherent narrative on what it truly means to create something meaningful from nothing.