The nature of creativity (and creatives) has been explored and debated since they began exploring and debating concepts like that. Is creativity a gift from God? Have these people made a deal with a fiddle playing Devil? Are they simply crazy? (statistically also, but never simply). Nature vs nurture, and can it be taught at all?

A new paper by Cornell professor Robert Sternberg, suggests we all have the capacity for creativity. Sternberg took into account decades of creativity science, making it a meta-study (I know words), and pointed out some things we already know, and some creative facts we maybe haven't considered.

First up, creative people thrive with new experiences. Whether that's food, travel, or new thoughts, fresh perspectives feed the creative system. Whether we're looking to spark our creativity back to life, or tap into a part of ourselves you didn't know you had, new experiences create the juice that gets the motor running. People (including my creative self) can sometimes be reluctant to dive into such things. For instance, do I really want to spend my evening watching a play I've never heard of that I might not even enjoy? Ugh, often only in hindsight. But once I've committed to the idea, even if I don't enjoy the thing, it sparks ideas: how I think it could've been a better show, where I might've changed the script, or the casting, or the setting. Suddenly, I'm mentally putting on a play, and I'm filled with ideas. Now my brain is primed for those details that the audience isn't supposed to notice, just feel, and I can take that on a tangent of my own creation.

Another interesting point about the creative person is that they let go of ideas quickly, and as the article specified “even their own”. Now, does that explain why I have so many false started crafts and concepts and random partially written scenes crammed into my closet? No, that's a combination of bad habits, neurodivergence, and the crashing-my-party presence of the existential spectre asking why I'm bothering to do this at all. Ahem. What they mean here, is that letting ideas morph and grow, allowing them to shift into a different modality, without getting attached, is the magic before the manifestation. If you're writing a novel and find that one of your side characters should be the main character and the story should be a whole different thing, you have to go with that flow. To stay committed to the original vision once you've seen something more meaningful is irresponsible to the process, and dare I say, an affront to capital-A Art.

Leonard Cohen took 5 years to write Hallelujah. He reported that he wrote 150 drafts, a number substantiated by his notebooks. I imagine though, that the possibilities ran through his mind constantly during those years (the concept probably followed him quietly for years before he even began). Per Wikipedia: “In a writing session in New York's Royalton Hotel, Cohen is famously said to have been reduced to sitting on the floor in his underwear, filling notebooks, banging his head on the floor.”

The resulting masterpiece could've never existed without that head banging, without those discarded verses. Michelangelo famously said that “the sculpture is already complete within the marble block, before I start my work. It is already there, I just have to chisel away the superfluous material”. In certain modalities, perhaps we need to build that marble block before we can chisel away the superfluous. We must turn ourselves over to the process, allowing ourselves to be flown on the wings of ideas.

One of the other points raised in the paper is that creativity flourishes in circumstances where there isn't a right way to do things. Think of brainstorming sessions: whether they're done alone as a means to an expressly creative end, or in a corporate group setting where the goal is to increase profits, the underpinning is “there are no bad ideas”. It's a lot of things being thrown at a wall to examine what sticks. And as much as some ideas definitely begin worse than others, even objectively bad ideas can be the kindling for great ideas. We have to give ourselves the freedom to have the bad ideas first. Situations that call for precision and “right ways” have neither the time nor place for creativity. You want your spaceships to be made and serviced by the book, and your heart to be transplanted the same way. Now, the people who invented the ways for these things had to start with brainstorming. Both definitely had sketches that look nothing like how things eventually turned out. Concepts always require creativity; application often less so.

The moral of the story is that no, my dear fellow creatives, we are not gifted by God, nature, or the energy of free floating brilliant ideas searching for homes. (But that's just what science says; we are free to imagine it however we like to preserve our mystique, it's part of our cosmic deal.) The good news is that we're all creative, so when you hit a dry spell, or worry that you've squandered all the gifts you were granted and will never Art again, you're flat out wrong. And even if you haven't done anything creative since you were young enough that it was as socially mandated, you can access and foster that part of yourself! Try some new things (even if they suck). Get your hands dirty. Be ready to make mistakes before masterpieces (and a million more mistakes than masterpieces). The piece that gets the most tinkering through artist practice is YOU. Regardless of what the creation looks like, or what people think of it, it's you as a person who will find yourself forged by that fire and changed for the beautiful.

Now, go do some cool shit.

PAUSE for celebration

We have just reached 600 Followers on our Instagram account, and that’s a BIG DEAL for us!

600 FOLLOWERS AND COUNTING! 💥 We're thrilled to hit this milestone for Forget The Box, Montreal’s most in-depth arts magazine. Since relaunching in February 2023, we've been dedicated to showcasing the city's ground level, underground, and marginalized art. Arts coverage acts as a vital connective tissue for the artistic community, fostering dialogue, visibility, and a sense of shared identity. A true local arts magazine like Forget The Box is integral in amplifying creative voices, documenting the local cultural landscape, and creating a crucial platform for artists to connect with audiences and each other. It's been a year of rebuilding after the Bill C-18 social media shutdown, and every follower gained feels like a victory for independent arts journalism. We're so excited for what the future holds!
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Speaking of the future... as a small not-for-profit with no external funding, we rely on your support to keep Forget The Box thriving. We’re not talking about donations of $20, or even $10. Here's a mind-blowing thought: if each of our 600 followers donated just $1, ONE DOLLAR, we could keep shining a light on Montreal's art scene for FOUR WHOLE MONTHS! That's how much of an impact even the smallest contributions can make. FOUR MONTHS! That's the power of community support! So, thank you, thank you, thank you for being part of our journey. Let's keep the momentum going, let’s keep growing, creating, and celebrating art together! 🎉 Head over to our BuyMeACoffee page now:

https://buymeacoffee.com/forgetthebox

the art of fermentation

[SPACE IS LIMITED - RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW]

Dive into the delicious world of fermentation with Molotov Cuisine! Chef Fiona Genevieve guides you through the art of transforming vegetables, fruits, herbs, and wild foraged flavors. With the fresh food provided, this immersive workshop includes crafting two of your own unique fermented concoctions and a sparkling fermented beverage. Throughout the session, you'll savor a variety of Chef Fiona's signature fermented nibbles and sparkling drinks, experiencing the diverse flavors fermentation offers.

Take home your bubbling creations, along with comprehensive instructions, and a full appreciation for the magic of fermentation.

To fully participate, please bring three clean, 500mL Mason jars to take your creations home.

Each 2-hour workshop offers an intimate learning experience, with space for only 12 participants, ensuring personalized guidance from Chef Fiona. Attendees will gain practical skills and a deeper understanding of this ancient and increasingly popular culinary
practice.

TO REGISTER
Monday, April 28 @ 2PM
https://www.showpass.com/fizz-bubble-ferment-1/

Tuesday, April 29 @ 2PM
https://www.showpass.com/fizz-bubble-ferment-2/

Wednesday, April 30 @ 2PM
https://www.showpass.com/fizz-bubble-ferment-3/

ABOUT CHEF FIONA
A professionally trained chef, Fiona is very passionate about cooking with local & foraged ingredients with a fascination with fermentation. Growing up in Ukraine & China, Chef Fiona Genevieve brings inspiration and a fusion of cultures to her dishes. Creating unique and engaging cuisine served with a fresh artistic vibe. While Chef Fiona has always called Quebec home, her deep Nova Scotian roots took her back to the Annapolis Valley in 2021, where she established Molotov Cuisine. Working with local farmers, Molotov Cuisine creates one of a kind dining experiences with combative zero-waste menus focusing on sustainability & local ingredients.

For more about Chef Fiona and Molotov Cuisine, visit:
https://www.molotovcuisine.com

West Side Words

Come share some words, or just catch the literary waves! Chimera is an open mic event where people can read their poetry and/or fiction to a supportive audience. Everyone is welcome, whether you want to read or listen!

This event is show-up / sign-up, 5 minute time limit per reader. Plus the store will be open, so you can treasure hunt at the same time!

WHAT: Chimera Open Mic: Read Your Own Works of Poetry & Fiction at Phoenix Books

WHERE: Phoenix Books, 5924 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, H4A 1X7

WHEN: Thursday, April 10 @ 5 PM

METRO: Vendôme (Orange)

DETAILS: Facebook

The Suburbs Are Artsy Too

If you live off island, or are looking for a good time that's worth the drive, this one's for you.

Choose from over 50 high quality perfume oils from around the world, mix them with expert guidance, then select a bottle and decorate it to match your style! It's a unique, experience for all ages!

Price also includes the following menu:

Choice of Beverage: freshly brewed coffee or a selection of fine teas.
Sweet Delight: biscotti or artisanal fruit cake, perfectly paired with your drink.
Mini Grazing Box: a curated selection of artisanal cheese, premium salami, nuts, dried fruits, and gourmet crackers.

Get lost in the creativity of crafting your own custom fragrance with Le Ciel Parfum, and enjoy a snack at Miny World's Art Boutique Café. It's the perfect place for young and old to explore their creativity!

It's a warm and welcoming atmosphere and rare chance to make some memories (and a customized keepsake!) with your loved ones.

WHAT: Create Your Own Perfume & Café Treats

WHERE: Miny World, 115 Dumont St., Vaudreuil-Dorion, J7V1W9

WHEN: Thursday, April 10, 3 PM & 7 PM

METRO: Oh, no.

TICKETS: Eventbrite

City Shack

This team effort brings the sugar shack to the city -- and to vegetarians and vegans ! Join Your Tiny Catering and Beigne Habitude at Dépanneur Le Pick-Up for this super tasty event!

On our menu:

Eggs or tofu scramble
Toast
Potatoes
Pancakes
Baked beans
Cocktail wieners
Millet meat hand pies
Pickles and beets
Maple glazed apple fritters (not vegan!)

Donuts and tire sur la neige limited to the first 30 people. Walk-in style but you can reserve your spot in advance if you want to ensure you get the sweet treats.

WHAT: Sugar Shack: Vegetarian & Vegan

WHERE: Dépanneur Le Pick-Up, 7028 Waverly St., Montreal, H2S 3J2

WHEN: Sunday, April 13 @ 6 PM

METRO: Jean-Talon (Orange)

DETAILS: Facebook

Kinky Laughs

Montreal comedians, storytellers, and a few kinksters share their real ridiculous dating stories about kinks gone wrong (orrr right?) for your pleasure. Everyone's welcome (this isn't a link specific event)!

Monica Hamburg hosts this kinky lineup with stories from John Cotrocois, Andrew Khoury, Natasha Fagant, Jimmy Phule, and Kathy Slamen.

With special boylesque performance from Montreal's Motion Machine...Petro!

WHAT: Tinder Tales Presents…Spring Kinks!

WHERE: Café Cléopatra, 1230 St. Laurent Blvd., Montreal, H2X 2S5

WHEN: Friday, April 11, Doors @ 830 PM, Show @ 9 PM

METRO: St. Laurent (Green)

TICKETS: Eventbrite

See You There!

Laugh your socks off every Tuesday! It's a night of hilarious comedy in the heart of Montreal. The vibe is cozy and warm, and the comics are killers! This week, the lineup features Maya Kanitkar, Jas Heera, Jackie Agnew, and Jonny Divito.

Want to tell some jokes? Want to watch local comics try their latest funnies? Wet’n’Wild Bucket List Open Mic Competition starts at 10 PM. Show-up / Sign-up. I co-host this bad boy, so while I'm totally biased, I'm also correct when I say it's fantastic. Plus, the hang is hot! (Speaking of hot, if you order tea, they give it to you in the prettiest teacups. They've also got coconut water and kombucha…and booze. They have booze.)

WHAT: Comedy on Mackay #19

WHERE: NsurMackay, 1244 Mackay St., Montreal, H3G 2H4

WHEN: Tuesday, April 15 @ 8 PM, Open Mic @ 10 PM

METRO: Guy-Concordia (Green) & Lucien-l'Allier (Orange)

TICKETS: Eventbrit e

World’s Smallest Comedy Night has so many cool things happening, so here are their events this week in order!

What Do You Know? Like, Seriously…

Tonight! Come to Hurley's for Trivia Night, and get bonus laughter! Put your knowledge to the test! Whether you're a history buff, a pop culture guru, or a sports fanatic, there's something for everyone. Grab a pint, enjoy delicious pub fare, and get ready to show off your trivia skills. Grab your team, and enjoy this night of comedy, friendly competition, and great company. Hosted by Vance Michel, this week features Peter Bowen, Shosho Abotouk, and Lauren Mallory.

WHAT: Trivia Night at Hurley's

WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1

WHEN: Every Wednesday @ 8 PM

METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)

RSVP: Eventbrite

Classic Coke

Beat the Monday Blues with WSC’s OG offering, The World's Smallest Comedy Night!

Enjoy a showcase of the best comedians in the city, hot up-and-comers, national and international touring comics, and surprises! Hosted by Vance Michel featuring Daras Singh, Sam Adamo, Charles M., Konstatin Chekhov, Zach Gottlieb, Mark Goodmar, Chris Venditto, Quinn Lague, and Troy Stark.

WHAT: The World's Smallest Comedy Night

WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1

WHEN: Every Monday @ 8 PM

METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)

TICKETS: Eventbrite

Dirty Monday

The Monday Night Dirty Mic is the best uncensored open mic in town. Hosted by Vance Michel, every show is an unpredictable and unique experience as a hilarious collection of comedians from newbs to pros take the stage. See the best before anyone else, and catch seasoned locals doing their freshest funnies!

Comics: show-up, sign-up