Fine Art student at Central Saint Martins in London, Miriam Klan, says \u201cI don\u2019t think the city is necessarily a creative place. But, when taken into account the fact that most of us move here from basically a no name town, that sense of freedom can be the catalyst that strikes creativity; Especially with all the culture you have here, architecture has a lot to do with that sense of grand freedom I think.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many online personalities, such as Los Angeles based YouTuber, Meghan Hughes, have come out to say that cities have a draining effect on them and their energy. The constant fuss and movement of the city has caused many creatives to move in order to find a more peaceful space of their mind, meaning that they have more freedom to create.<\/p>\n
Voice of London spoke to Blogger and poet who goes under the pseudonym of \u2018Nycto\u2019 about being a creative in a city.<\/p>\n
In your poem \u2018light of the night\u2019 you state: \u201cOh, how the light glances at your every move, but the air is never still and air never sweet\u201d, were you referring to city life?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I was referring to city life, yes. Uh\u2026 being London based has had many benefits, but also many aspects of London life has made life that bit more difficult; which I think no one needs. \u00a0[laughs] I think creatives and artists need a certain stillness to be able to create a certain piece of magic that will forever have their name on, and when you life in the city that\u2019s just not possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Have you noticed a difference in the way your art comes out when you create it in a still environment versus a busy one?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Most definitely. Not only that, but, it has a tonne to do with how you feel inside and with yourself. A lot of the time when I\u2019m in the city, I\u2019m stressed and get down more easily. This means that whenever I create something, the chances of me hating it and putting myself down about it is much bigger. In contrast, though\u2026 when I\u2019ve spend a few days in the countryside or a beach-house where it\u2019s all very chill and dreamy, I feel good, and most importantly at peace, which means I\u2019m less likely to keep tearing myself down.<\/p>\n That\u2019s interesting\u2026 A lot of artists and poets are known to correlate emotional pain and suffering with great art. What do you think about this?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Well, I don\u2019t disagree. Art is supposed to be emotional, and a means to let all that out. But a lot of the time I\u2019ve witnessed the stresses of the city break people, especially those with so many emotions that need letting out. I think cities have this cycle of making us artists feel accepted, then we begin to belong, then we begin to question our belonging, because surely is we belonged the questioning wouldn\u2019t be there. I don\u2019t know. Maybe I should be speaking for other artists, but that\u2019s definitely how I feel.<\/p>\n So, what do you think keeps you, and of course many other creatives stuck in that loop of the city?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Opportunity. Cities are made to have opportunities. And with such a niche career path like art, or anything remotely creative, even if it\u2019s writing, it\u2019s hard to make it and to make a living for yourself doing the one thing that you love the most. So, I think that really is why artists and creatives stay in the city, even if they hate it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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