News from Make-Believe Press: # 8 Being Enchanted

News from Make-Believe Press: # 8 Being Enchanted

Greetings Adventurer!

I have a question for you and I want you to think hard about the answer. Have you ever been enchanted? I mean have you ever been filled with delight, charmed, or bewitched by something that you’ve seen, heard, or experienced?

If yes, what was the thing that enchanted you?

Most recently for me it was a short documentary that National Geographic put out on clown philosophy, the art of clowning, and creativity. Specifically the clown philosopher, Slava Polunin.

When I say “clown philosopher”, I don’t mean the typical clown that pops up in our minds when we hear the word clown. This is the clown poet who started The Academy of Fools at Le Moulin Jaune (The Yellow Mill). The Academy of Fools is devoted to the "resurrection of the carnival culture in Russia" and is a testament to the creativity of performers and artists.

One look at the Academy of Fools and I hope you’ll feel equally as enchanted and inspired as I did.

Here’s a short video by Great Big Story called Step Inside a Trippy, Real-Life Wonderland which gives a snapshot of Slava’s Festival of Colors at Le Moulin Jaune. You’ll get a little peek into how Slava approaches creativity.

“We have festivals here and we have people who come from everywhere to perform. This is a place for people to create. I want to eradicate the border between art and life. I love the idea that life is theatre.” -Slava Polunin on The Academy of Fools

I don’t want to overload you with videos about The Academy of Fools, but if you finish that one and If you want to see more, The Art of Picnic at Moulin Jaune is where the footage from the above video was taken. Feel free to click on the link to watch more behind the scenes from the Festival of Colors.

Our word of the month on first glance may look like appreciate, but on second glance you’ll notice it’s not quite.

September’s “Word of the Month” is Apricate. I can’t count how many times I’ve been told to go outside and get some fresh air and sunlight, especially when I’m in a creative funk. When the muse has flown the coop and you’re feeling like you’re in a creative rut, try going outside to apricate. Get the sunshine that your creativity needs. Take a snack with you and call it a picnic. Set a theme and invite friends and call it a festival. Above all, have fun!

Your CREATIVE MISSION, if you choose to accept, is to write or sketch a short piece that is inspired by this image:

*Or you could write about what enchanted you and how you felt during the event. Whichever subject grabs you!

Approach it like a child approaches play. No one has to see it. Create with freedom. I believe in you adventurer!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions you can reach me at victoria@make-believepress.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Stay safe, Adventurer!

-Victoria

P.S. The little girl covered in paint is by Senjuti Kundu. The man carrying the basket of plants in front of a yellow wall is by Ronald Cuyan. Both were found on Unsplash. The YouTube screen shot of the Great Big Story’s video was taken by me.

If you haven't done so already, you can get a look at “The World Is Full Of A**holes” by going to the secret page “Cellar Door” on Make-Believe Press' website and using the password “Magicword” to gain access

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