The Muses of the Artistic World

In ancient Greek mythology, Muses were goddesses of science and art who inspired creative endeavours. Like any art form, there are vast levels to creativity and some just shine brighter than others. These are the Muses that draw you in. They prey on one’s senses, through colours and words and stories that create powerful feelings and emotions. Most of all, they inspire others to follow suit. Every artistic endeavour will begin with a reference point. The Muses below are that starting point. 

Movie – The Neon Demon

The Neon Demon was not designed for the decaffeinated. Some will argue that the movie is a case of style over substance, either way, your pupils will dilute when watching the incredible visual storytelling that the cinematography enables. It visually smacks you, and smacks you hard. But because The Neon Demon takes such an artistic risk, a risk that works, it allows the film’s vivid and beautiful imagery to linger in the brain long after you have watched the movie. 

Documentaries – Louis Theroux

Theroux is a master of gonzo journalism; blessed with a patient sensitivity when documenting the varying gradients and complexities of the human psyche. Most of all, Theroux’s documentaries’ never judge. Rather, it is an objective viewpoint that is designed for exploration rather than investigation.  

For mind, two of his best documentaries are his explorations into the porn industry – Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends – Porn and Twilight of the Porn Stars. The ending in Twilight of the Porn Stars captures both the haunting and dark nature of the industry, whilst subtly generating an empathetic outlook towards the actors within the industry.

Music – Ennio Morricone

Pretty much all music tells a story, but Morricone’s music takes you on a journey. That’s the difference. As great as the spaghetti westerns were, they would not be the same without his score. Then there was his music for award winning films such as The Mission and The Untouchables, all of which, was paramount in creating emotional connections with the narrative and its characters. 

Sports – Pat McAfee

McAfee might appear out of place on this list. But he’s not. Many would not place sport in the world of the creatives. That would be wrong. McAfee is a trailblazer in the world of sports talk. Why? Because he’s on YouTube, and not a major network, and doesn’t partake in the standard debate driven bullshit that one witnesses on the broadcast giants of ESPN, Fox, and whatever else. The clip below showcases his likeable style.

Musician – St. Vincent

I have a picture of Annie Clark on my desktop. For some reason when I look at the picture it makes me want to write. I have no idea why, but it does, and that is the power of the Muse. Plus, she is also an incredible musician.

Politician – Abraham Lincoln

Every person, no matter the age, should read a book on Abraham Lincoln. His strength of character and compassion are too important to be forgotten. But there is one quote that is more applicable today than ever before.

I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.

Abraham Lincoln

Music Video – Michael Jackson – Thriller

Thriller was the first to turn the music video into an artform, and thankfully, the first music video placed in the National Film Registry as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant”. This video is what started it all. All thirteen-and-a-half minutes. Thriller was the Granddaddy and every music video from this point on, whether they know it or not, was shaped by Thriller.  

Retail Fashion Photo Shoots – American Apparel

This inclusion is somewhat controversial. Some may have the opinion that American Apparel were just too risqué and hyper-sexualised with their photoshoots. Others will be turned off from the personal and sketchy indiscretions of the company’s founder, Dorv Charney. All of the above, plus some, are valid arguments. 

But at the time, American Apparel was a trailblazing activist for numerous social issues such as Legalize LA, Legalize Gay, and Factory conditions. A stance that the majority of other companies avoided. Whilst the clothing was just the basics, their photoshoots were also transcending – no professional models or air brushing, with the one downfall of a lack of plus size models. But most of all, their photoshoots were a cocktail of the controversial, the simple, and the provocative all synced into one. But that’s the artistic side of fashion photoshoots, after all, they weren’t trying be like Walmart. 

Political Opinions – Jimmy Dore

In a previous article on Outlier Arise – The Annoying Serenade Between the Mainstream Media and Politicians – we analysed biased reporting from the mainstream media. This has been generated by the concentration of media ownership, which has allowed media barons all the leverage in dictating what is on the agenda. For the staunch left or right this isn’t a problem as they can happily switch on to their favourite commentators on either Fox or MSNBC, and whatever else. 

But there are a portion of society that seeks balanced reporting, without all the biases and fanfare that go with the mainstream media. Many people don’t profess to being political connoisseurs, so it’s important that they’re options that critique all parts of the political landscape. Jimmy Dore is one such commentator. His quote, ‘It’s not left or right, it’s us against them’, is entirely the premise of his show. 

Acting

Any actors that don’t take parts in superhero films like Leonardo DiCaprio. There is a sense that Hollywood is being bombarded by wave-after-wave of superhero movies. And, whilst there is nothing wrong with the genre or the actors who play those roles. Most of them are great. It is however, somewhat refreshing that some actors avoid the genre.

Movie Character – Ellen Ripley in Aliens

Sigourney Weaver’s character Ripley was the first female protagonist in action films. All female leads in that genre today have roots connected to this iconic character. And, unlike Star Wars and other superhero films that gave their characters special powers, Ripley used nothing more than those time-honoured human traits of guts, guile, and intelligence to combat her foe. 

Sportsperson – Marcus Rashford

Marcus Rashford was awarded an MBE at the age of 22, as well as being the youngest person to be awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester. This has come after his incredible charity work that has benefited so many people in the UK.

During COVID, Rashford worked with food charity group FareShare to provide free-school meals for children in the Greater Manchester area. A month later, this partnership would raise a further twenty million pounds worth of funds to provide meals for a further 3 million people. As former Former U.S President Barack Obama recently said, ‘Marcus has accomplished far more at 23, then he ever did by that age’.

Photography – Guy Bourdin

Bourdin was a master, and similar to Ennio Morricone in that his pictures don’t tell a story, they take you on a journey. Rather than waffle on with words for description, here’s a link to his visual genius.

Film – Citizen Kane

Not only being regarded as a masterpiece, the film has had such an influence in how movies are shot. Citizen Kane used deep focus, light and shadow, short scenes with lots of camera shots, close-ups, as well as special effects like matte paintings, miniatures and inventive optical printing techniques. For these reasons, it is one movie that everyone should watch.

Book Series – Hergé – The Adventures of Tintin

Kids today play video games, yesteryear they would have read. But they are both vastly different stimulants. Reading is cardio for the brain and great stories have the potential to arouse a sense of adventure, especially for kids. The Adventures of Tintin achieved this through a beautiful layout that played with the imagination, and a protagonist that was both courageous and adventurous.  

Movies – Mad Max and Mad Max 2

When you think of Australian films you think of Mad Max. Both movies were paramount in placing Australian films on the global stage. No CGI to enhance the visuals, rather, both movies relied on an incredible wardrobe department, ballsy cinematography, all of which, worked seamlessly in capturing the barbaric action backdropped against the baron Australian landscape. 

Nature and the Idea of Becoming Self-Sustainable

These might be the future Muses of society as the idea of becoming self-sufficient is becoming more and more appealing. The channel Mother the Mountain Farm features two sisters working on regenerative farm with the dream of building a self-sustainable future. And, with major cities becoming more and more over-crowded and suffocating, there could potentially be a stratum of society that will follow similar footpaths to one these sisters have taken.  

The Latter Half of the 20th Century

If you were to go to a party and the theme was either the noughties or the decade that has just been, what would you go as? It’s tough as nothing really stands out. But the latter half the 20^th century had its own distinctive cultural movements and trends that have become synonymous with those periods. It’s just too hard to pick one decade. The 60s had the hippie movement and the summer of love, the 70s was disco, the 80s had everything and some, whilst the 90s had grunge. But these decades will continue to influence culture because of the creativity that they generated.