Author: Mariam Almagboul

From Awkward Stars to Artistic Hearts is a collection of poems I wrote during our “Creating” J-Term class. Each poem is about something we did or learned that day – like when we heard from creative thinkers, did weird artistic exercises or met visiting artists. Instead of just writing what happened, I turned it all into poems. That way, I could capture the creative energy and meaningful moments in a unique way. The poems are about profound insights, unexpected creative adventures, and personal artistic growth throughout the class. By making poems out of everything, this notebook became a special keepsake. It represents my journey of embracing an imaginative, open-minded spirit and having impactful conversations. These pages are more than just poems to me – they symbolize my journey of becoming a creator !

Password: ILOVECREATING

Thoughts on Flora Fauna

Flora Fauna was incredibly inspirational. The art they created really opened my eyes to the world of interactive media. I found myself deeply inspired by their work and vision. I want to follow in their footsteps and make a name for myself in the art world, just like they have.

Password: ILOVECREATING

Thoughts on Marco Borotti

I really like how Marco Borotti gets his inspiration from nature and animals. It’s cool how he captures the essence of wildlife and natural elements in his art. This connection to the natural world makes his work stand out and feel really special.

Creation (Fatima & Mariam):

We were tasked with creating something that brings people together. Initially, we brainstormed common and realistic methods, such as dating apps, movies, and family events. However, we then employed the “why” method to explore deeper reasons for people coming together. By asking why people need to connect in the first place, we concluded that the goal was to help individuals connect with strangers they might have more in common with than they realize. This led us to the idea of “Stranger Confessions,” where strangers come together to answer five prompts or questions, fostering a deeper connection through shared responses.

 Flow; Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly Response:

I really resonated with Csikszentmihalyi’s concepts around achieving flow states. His examples of how activities like games, art, and rituals tap into our core desire for enjoyment and growth by letting us push our skills and take on bigger challenges – that just clicked for me. The way he illustrated that cycle of mastering skills, then craving greater complexities to regain that optimal experience was an eye-opener.

His take on how religions originally facilitated those meaningful, flow-inducing connections, while a lot of modern pursuits fall short on that front, definitely made me think. Even if contemporary flow activities seem more pleasure-seeking on the surface, his point about them being the truest expressions of a culture’s character and pursuit of happiness rang true.

Thoughts on  Robert Seidel

I thought Robert Seidel’s art was really interesting, especially how he used AI to integrate and elevate his work which made it look so artistic and innovative.

Even though his art is impressive, a more energetic presentation would have made it more interesting to watch.

For this creation assignment, I used the random words “sour” and “comfort” to design a unique home decor concept using www.coohom.com. I envisioned a room that blends soft, comforting elements (to resemble comfort) with bright, zesty accents to create a dynamic yet cozy space (to remember sourness). The color palette combines soothing, muted tones with vibrant, citrus-inspired hues.

 Art & Fear Response:

I really connected with the core point about not getting too hung up on seeking approval or acceptance from others for your art. The examples really hammered home how having that outward focus – craving validation from critics, audiences, or even peers – can seriously undermine your creative process and artistic growth.

The stories about later artists like Weston and Adams just mimicking the original visions rather than pushing them further was an eye-opening cautionary tale about how chasing acceptance can lead to an artistic dead-end. The tough love anecdotes of blunt rejections from teachers also highlighted how the only approval that truly matters is your own assessment of whether you’re advancing your craft.

This chapter really calls out all the insecurities I’ve felt about my own artistic abilities and identity. The idea that we’re all just “pretenders” trying to seem like real artists while privately doubting ourselves sounds like something I could relate to.

The discussion about our culture’s obsession with identifying true “talents” from an early age also strikes a chord. I remember being asked “Are you the artistic one?” when I was a kid, as if that would define my entire future path. The pressure to prove you were born with an innate gift is intense.

The metaphor of art being a “life-or-death” undertaking where you risk “annihilation” if you fail is extreme, but there’s truth there too. Putting your creative self out to be judged by the world does feel like you’re exposing your soul to potential destruction.

At the same time, I’m almost relieved to have these feelings validated as normal and universal for artists. As unhealthy as it is, there’s comfort in not being alone with the relentless self-criticism and fear of not measuring up.

Thought on https://field.io/

I really enjoyed our class trip to the FIELD studio. It was quite different from the other artists we’ve encountered so far. At FIELD, the atmosphere felt more like a business setting, with deadlines, schedules, and specific requirements. This contrasted with the other artists we’ve met, who seemed to have more freedom and flexibility in their work. Despite these differences, it was fascinating to see how a more structured environment can still produce creative and innovative art.

Saturn devouring his son – Francisco Goya, 1819-23

What is the scariest painting in art history? Among several contenders like “The Judgement of Cambyses” by Gerard David, or Henry Fuseli’s “Nightmare” none compare to Francisco Goya’s “Saturn Devouring His Son.” This haunting work leaves me with a sense of visceral horror and disquiet, provoking a range of intense emotions that linger long after I view it.

On a surface level, the painting’s subject matter alone is deeply unsettling to me – the Greek myth of the Titan Cronus consuming his children to prevent being overthrown. However, Goya’s interpretation takes the myth to a truly nightmarish extreme that shakes me to my core. Rather than the symbolic swallowing depicted in other artistic renderings, Goya presents a shockingly graphic scene of cannibalism.

The image assaults my senses with its dimly lit, cavernous setting and the monstrous figure of Saturn hunched over, his gaping maw clenched around the lifeless body of his child. The vivid hue of the victim’s blood stands in stark contrast to the haunting shadows, amplifying the brutality of the act in a way that disturbs me deeply. Every agonizing detail – the torn flesh, the desperate struggle of the helpless victim – is laid bare, leaving nothing to my imagination.

On a deeper level, the painting evokes a profound sense of existential dread within me and an uncomfortable confrontation with the darkest aspects of human nature. The fact that the victim appears to be an adult, rather than a child, hints at a perverse inversion of the natural order – a parent’s protective role twisted into an act of monstrous betrayal. This unsettling subversion of fundamental societal norms taps into primal fears and anxieties that unsettle me, rendering the horror all the more visceral.

Furthermore, the painting’s rough, unfinished quality imbues it with a raw, unmediated quality that heightens its impact on me. Goya’s bold, uncompromising brushwork and the stark, almost crude composition convey a sense of unfiltered truth – a glimpse into the abyss of human depravity, unvarnished and undiluted, that leaves me deeply shaken.

More importantly, “Saturn Devouring His Son” moves me on multiple levels, provoking a complex combination of revulsion, fear, and a lingering sense of existential unease. Goya’s unflinching portrayal of violence and betrayal strikes at the core of my deepest fears and insecurities, leaving an indelible impression on me that transcends mere artistic appreciation.

What really gets me about this artwork and makes it so meaningful is the many different ways you can look at it. Maybe Goya was trying to get rid of his own inner demons or the demons of his country through this painting. Or maybe he was just trying to honestly show one terrifying side of human nature, using the skills and techniques he had learned over his lifetime. But the scariest part of all is that Goya didn’t seem to care how we interpret this painting. He didn’t make “Saturn Devouring His Son” for us or anyone else. This painting exists beyond any single meaning. It’s pure, unfiltered horror. A monster looking out from a dark wall in a dark room,

…chewing…

Thoughts on Harshini J. Karunaratne:

I feel like I can relate to Harshini J. Karunaratne as she also was once a student at NYUAD. Seeing how she has made a name for herself is incredibly inspiring. It makes me believe that I can achieve something similar as well. I also appreciate that she shared a memorable quote from her university days: “Your capstone is not your final project, but rather a stepping stone for your future works.” As a rising senior, this quote truly resonated with me and brought a sense of relief. It helped me realize that there is no such thing as a final project—it’s all about continuing to create and evolve until your very last project. This perspective has truly shifted my mindset and made me appreciate the ongoing journey of learning and creating.

Reversal method:

1. Books open new worlds.
2. Worlds open through books.
3. Books offer endless adventures.
4. Adventures provide great memories.
5. Memories shape our lives.

Lateral Thinking – response

These ideas about suspending judgment and delaying evaluation feel very counterintuitive to how I’ve been taught to think. Throughout school, we’re constantly pushed to analyze things critically, poke holes in arguments, and discard anything that doesn’t seem airtight and logically coherent. The notion of intentionally entertaining and exploring ideas that seem outright wrong goes against everything I’ve learned about rigorous thinking.

At the same time, I can see the author’s point that this judgment-first mindset can easily shut down creative paths too early before they have a chance to lead somewhere unexpected. Groundbreaking ideas often do start from strange places. I think about how even some of history’s greatest thinkers had wacky theories that turned out to be Wrong but sparked insights that ultimately proved revolutionary. There’s wisdom in being willing to “go down the rabbit hole” with ideas, even seemingly ridiculous ones, just to see where they lead.

The examples about accidental discoveries happening precisely because people chose to pursue wrong assumptions are really compelling to me. It does make me question whether my default stance of quickly dismissing anything that doesn’t immediately make sense is stunting my creative potential. Maybe I’m cutting myself off from stumbling upon insights precisely because I’m unwilling to entertain approaches that seem off-base at first.

That said, I can also see problems with completely throwing out judgment and evaluation. It seems like a balance is needed – a willingness to be wrong temporarily while still maintaining some standard of eventual validity. After all, you can’t just believe any random nonsense indefinitely. But overall, I’m surprisingly persuaded that stepping outside my comfort zone of only logic-gating “right” ideas could unlock fertile new thinking. It’s an uncomfortable perspective shift, but one I may need to embrace if I want to reach my full creative potential.

Art & Fear – response

Wow, this really captures the constant self-doubt I feel when working on art projects. The idea that the vision in my head never quite matches the reality of what I create is so true and frustrating. I’m always scared the final piece will be a disappointment compared to what I imagined.

The point about materials having their own resistances also rings true. Whether it’s paint not behaving how I want, the clay being difficult to shape, or my expertise with a medium holding me back, the materials themselves provide challenges beyond just the concept. Overcoming those tends to be an unexpected struggle.

I can definitely relate to the underlying uncertainty about whether my work is any good or how it will be received. As much as I try to be confident, I can never fully shake the fear that others will think it’s bad or just not “get” what I was going for. That existential doubt plagues me constantly.

While it’s discouraging that these fears are inescapable, there’s also some comfort in knowing all artists face the same core uncertainties. At least I’m not alone in feeling this way! Recognizing these fears as inherent to the process rather than just personal failings could actually be weirdly motivating and empowering.

Thoughts on Ming Poon

Ming Poon is by far one of the most interesting artists I’ve encountered, and he’s quickly become my favorite. As I mentioned in class, I relate to him a lot. I love how he creates a safe space for his audience, where he simply presents his ideas and lets the audience take over. They become the show; they are the movement. It’s amazing how he gets people to connect and collaborate without even saying a word. His honesty in his work is really inspiring, and his views on death and life are so intriguing. It’s like he’s not afraid—he accepts fear and lets it go, just like he does with his art. This approach makes his work incredibly profound and moving.

Group Design Exercise

Group: Hubert, Darko, Mariam

“Why” Questions:

Why are we digging?

To create tunnels for trains.

Why are we creating tunnels for trains?

It shortens route length, allows trains to pass through natural obstacles like mountains, and provides a means of crossing busy street areas without damaging or interfering with neighborhoods.

Why are street areas so busy?

Street areas are busy because they are hubs for transportation, shopping, dining, and socializing, attracting high foot and vehicle traffic.

Why do people flock to hubs for transportation, shopping, dining, and socializing?

People flock to these hubs for convenience, access to a variety of services and goods, and opportunities for social interaction.

Why do people seek convenience and variety in services and goods?

People seek convenience and variety to save time, meet diverse needs, and enhance their quality of life.

Why is saving time important to people?

Saving time is important because it allows people to focus on other activities they value, such as hobbies, family time, or relaxation.

My Creation: Poem

The Essence of Time

Seconds tick, minutes fly, Time’s a fleeting treasure we can’t deny. In this fast-paced world, we race against the clock, Seeking moments to savor, not just tick-tock.

Saving time, a precious art, Allows us to live with a fuller heart. Embracing hobbies that bring us joy, Cherishing loved ones, without alloy.

Moments of respite, a well-earned pause, Rejuvenate our souls, remind us of life’s cause. For in the midst of chaos, we often forget, The essence of time, a gift we must abet.

So let us value each moment sublime, Crafting our days with purpose and rhyme. Saving time, a wisdom to heed, Unlocking life’s riches, our souls’ true need.

Thoughts on   Merche Blasco

I find Merche Blasco’s sound super interesting. I really love the stories behind her music and how she involves people in her work.. Her music has a unique vibe that stands out, and the storytelling adds so much depth. The way she makes her work interactive is really cool, and she’s always pushing boundaries with creative ideas. Her live performances are really engaging and create a strong sense of community. You can feel her passion in every piece she creates, and she’s making a big impact on the music scene.

1. Why should we have a study schedule?

• A study schedule helps us manage our time better so we cover everything and don’t end up cramming last minute.

2. Why does last-minute cramming usually mean we don’t remember stuff well?

• Cramming overloads our short-term memory, making it harder for info to move to long-term memory, which is where we really remember things.

3. Why does stress from dealing with other people mess with our learning?

• Stress from dealing with people can mess with how our brain processes and stores info, making it harder to learn and remember things.

4. Why do we let other people’s actions and opinions get to us?

• We let other people’s actions and opinions affect us because we want their approval or we’re afraid of their judgment.

5. why do we allow people to play with our minds?

• We allow people to play with our minds because we crave validation, fear rejection, or aren’t confident enough to set boundaries.

 Lateral Thinking; Bono, Edward de (1970): How the Mind Works (pp 25-38)

I think the author made some insightful observations about the key limitations this habit of patterned thinking imposes – like rigid preconceptions, struggling to restructure ingrained ideas, and having our chains of logic overly dictated by the sequence information comes in. Recognizing those constraints we need to overcome is crucial for unlocking more innovative thinking capabilities.

The core principles of lateral thinking proposed, like using random stimuli to disrupt established patterns, make a really compelling case for why we need techniques to counter the brain’s hardwired tendencies. While some of the writing felt a bit dense, the overall framework provides a thought-provoking perspective on both the strengths and pitfalls of how we process information and arrive at ideas.

Basically, the main idea is that we need to work on thinking more outside the box to break free from our brain’s habit of just following the same old thought patterns over and over again. If we can build up our ability to explore ideas from new angles and not just get stuck in linear ruts, that flexibility is probably the key ingredient for having truly innovative breakthroughs and game-changing ideas. We’ve got to make an effort to stretch our minds in different directions instead of just going with the first assumptions that pop up.

Thoughts on  Mariana Carvalho

Mariana Carvalho’s creativity is undeniably fascinating, particularly in how she crafts her unique soundscapes. Although I personally wouldn’t categorize her work as music, her innovative methods, such as having people sing into her mouth, are intriguing. While her sound creations didn’t resonate with me and seemed more like a clash of sounds than cohesive music, I appreciate the insight into her creative process. It’s always interesting to see how different people’s creativity manifests, even if the results don’t always connect on a personal level. After all, music is highly subjective, and what may not sound like music to one person might be meaningful to another.