Creating Beyond Convention with Alex Yudzon
Mondays from 6:00-9:00pm ET on Zoom
August 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2025
Fee: $400
Space limited to 8
Our creativity is central to who we are. It is not only an expression of our individuality, it is also the way we vitalize our essence and grow our connection to the world. Since life is not static, our creativity must likewise stay in a dynamic state of emergence.
At times, however, we might find ourselves working in rigid, programmatic ways. Using a clear and relatable approach, Creating Beyond Convention, is designed to give each participant a practical set of tools to either enliven the path they are already on or to launch off in an exciting new direction.
Participants will be introduced to a variety of contemporary artists, photographers, writers, filmmakers and musicians in order to examine the ideas, methods and strategies they use to advance their work in unconventional directions. The goal of this workshop is to develop out-of-the-box creative approaches that act as powerful accelerators in both art and life.
Each week will focus on a specific approach and will include a slide presentation, a guided assignment, a group discussion and review of participants’ work.
1. Breaking the Rules (an introduction to the Trickster): John Baldessari, Beat Takeshi, Georges Perec: Identifying and breaking conventions as a form of play.
2. Chance Encounters: Philip-Lorca diCorcia, John Cage, Sophie Calle: Using elements of chance, spontaneity and improvisation in creating work.
3. Variations on a Theme: Claude Monet, Ed Ruche, Sol Lewitt: Examining the way working in groups and sequences can generate ideas that are greater than the sum of their parts.
4. Side Project as Personal Sandbox: David Lynch, Gabriel Orozco: Developing the practice of a side project as a creative tool that is both an end in itself and a powerful method for artistic growth.