Creative Codex is an artist's guide to the labyrinth of creativity.
One-part podcast and one-part imaginative lecture series.
Join us as we explore the mysteries of human genius, how creativity works, and how you can improve your own creative process. The labyrinth awaits.
EPISODE 11: Carl Jung • The Red Book (Part 1)
On this episode we dive into one of the strangest and most enigmatic books ever written: The Red Book. This is a book so infamous that it was kept locked away for fifty years after Carl Jung’s death, raising concerns that it might prove that the world renowned psychologist was actually insane. Is it a work of visionary creativity or divine madness? Let’s find out.
Imagery from The Red Book by Carl Gustav Jung
EPISODE 10: Listener Q&A (Sept. 2019)
Our first Listener Q&A episode! So many compelling questions including: Are left handed people more creative? Was Nikola Tesla spiritual? How do you quiet the doubting voices in your mind? What was Frida Kahlo’s life like after the accident? Is creativity a supernatural force? What is the nature of evil?
Hope you enjoy listening to the answers as much as I enjoyed wrestling with the questions.
EPISODE 9: H.R. Giger • A Beautiful Darkness
HR Giger is considered by many to be the most evil artist in history. Join us as we take a deep dive into the abyss where Giger’s strange ideas are born. In this episode we also explore: how did Giger create a style so distinct that people see it as ‘out of this world’?
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EPISODE 8: Clinton King (In Conversation)
As NYC is in full heat wave mode, I sit down for an entertaining conversation with the contemporary artist: Clinton King. We discuss the origins of his distinctive style, the mysteries of the creative process, and the joys of getting lost. Tune in and grab a cold drink, it’s gonna be a hot one.
The oil paintings above are called Facets, Effluvia, Damage Boost, and Magnum Miraculum.
Explore more of Clinton King’s work at his site: http://www.clintonkingart.com/
Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clintonking_kingclinton/
Check out his Tumblr: https://visionary-rumors.tumblr.com/
EPISODE 7: Salvador Dali (Saint of Delusion)
Salvador Dali is one of the most successful artists of all time. In this episode, we find the origin of his unmistakable style, discover the secret to his creative process, and unravel the lies of the enigmatic: Dali.
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Imagery from Ep. 7: Salvador Dali (Saint of Delusion)
Salvador Dali
The Persistence of Memory (1934)
The Hallucinogenic Toreador (1970)
Dali & Federico Garcia Lorca
EPISODE 6: Shelley Thomas (In Conversation)
An insightful sit-down conversation with world music alchemist & singer: Shelley Thomas. Join us as we explore world music, the fear of failure, taking the long way, destiny, and the spirituality of music. Find out more about Shelley’s music at her site: https://shelleyvoice.com/
Shelley is a phenomenal singer and composer whom I have had the honor of collaborating with in the last year. We originally met up to work on the music for my video: Devil Wood. When we arrived in the studio, and the tape was rolling, she proceeded to create music with her voice in ways I had never witnessed someone do. It was at once, remarkable and mystifying.
Since that time, I have always wanted to explore a conversation with her about her creative process and spiritual outlook, this is that conversation. I hope you enjoy.
EPISODE 5: Nikola Tesla & The Paradox of Genius
In this episode we try to untangle the paradox of Nikola Tesla’s life: how can a man of unrivaled genius change the world but die a hermit with no money to his name?
Nikola Tesla’s unique genius is the stuff of fantasy; he electrified the world, feuded with Thomas Edison, invented a death ray, and caused an earthquake in Manhattan.
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Imagery from Ep. 5: Nikola Tesla & The Paradox of Genius
Nikola Tesla
Perfectly exemplifying the ‘Modern Prometheus’. This is an image of one of the countless wireless energy experiments Tesla performed in his lab.
The infamous Wardenclyffe Tower, planned to be the central transmitting source for Tesla’s wireless energy system.
The building that housed Tesla’s Houston Street laboratory.
EPISODE 4: Jerome Lamaar (In Conversation)
On this episode we visit with NYC fashion and design guru: Jerome Lamaar. Our conversation explores the origin of his youthful confidence, the possibility of projecting self fulfilling visions, and why he dropped out of college to pursue his dreams. Recorded on location at his loft office in the South Bronx.
I personally know Jerome from high school, we both went to an art centric school called Art & Design High School in Manhattan. Since those tender early years he’s gone on to become an incredibly successful figure in New York City’s fashion and design industries. His accolades are almost too many to briefly mention, he often works as a creative consultant for major brands, he opened his own successful fashion boutique in the South Bronx called 9J, and he was even on the cover of the New York Times. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
EPISODE 3: Frida (Pain Becomes Art)
Is creativity linked with emotion? Can life’s tragedies and heartbreaks be resolved through creating art? In this episode we try to answer those questions with the help of one of the most iconic artists of all time: Frida Kahlo
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Imagery from Ep. 3: Frida (Pain Becomes Art)
The Broken Column (1944)
One of the countless cast braces that Frida had to wear throughout her life due to the accident.
The Two Fridas (1939)
Frida & Chavela Vargas
EPISODE 2: Leonardo’s Secret
What made Leonardo da Vinci so consistently inspired? What was his secret? Take a walk with us through the streets of Renaissance Florence and find out.
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Imagery from Ep. 2: Leonardo’s Secret
One of the only portraits of Leonardo. Illustrated in red chalk, by his own hand.
Detail of an angel from the masterpiece: Virgin of the Rocks.
A single journal page showing one of Leonardo’s dissection studies.
EPISODE 1: Origin of Art
Travel back 40,000 years to the first known art made by human hands. How did creativity begin? Why does ‘art’ exist? Dive in to find out; in the first episode of Creative Codex.
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Imagery from Ep. 1: Origin of Art
A single human hand, from 40,000 years ago, calling forth saying: ‘I was here as you are now.’
A herd of lions. Were these illustrations part of magic rituals? Prayers for a good hunt or even a gratitude for that animal spirit after a successful hunt?
A cave bear skull perched atop a stone altar in the center of one of the large rooms. Paintings adorn the far walls and the remnants of charcoal remain after tens of thousands of years around the skull, as if incense were being burned there. Clearly a ritual space of some importance.
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CONTACT
Have any episode ideas or questions? Get in touch: mjdorian@gmail.com
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Creative Codex is written and produced by MJDorian © 2018
All Rights Reserved. All music by MJDorian.