Philippe Petit does not try to define creativity or offer a plan for being creative. Petit is an inventive problem solver who, in is own way, includes the reader of Creativity – the perfect crime in a documentary style, personal process of creation. Artists of all types, writers, filmmakers; anyone involved in being creative in their occupations and lives will find this book inspirational.
“With the reader as his accomplice, Petit reveals fresh and unconventional ways of going about the artistic endeavor, from generating and shaping ideas to practicing, problem-solving and ultimately pulling off the “coup” itself—executing a finished work.” — Creativity – the perfect crime book cover, inside front flap.
Petit writes that creativity is a “criminal activity,” that early on he dropped the conventions and ethics of society, went outside the restraints culture imposes, invented his own rules and rebelled against a repressive environment. In fact Petit reminds us, that his evolution is universal for creative people. Critical inventive problem solving must break established rules, laws and convention. In that respect it is, as Petit writes, “a criminal activity.”
“Develop unabashedly your own set of morals, cling to your own logic, inhabit your own universe: teach yourself as you let life teach you.” — Philippe Petit – Creativity — the perfect crime.
The structure of this book is documentary in nature. There are a number of parallel themes interwoven though out Creativity – the perfect crime. Anecdotally the author creates a first person narration, his personal journey in life along with the way he has learned to solve life’s obstacles through invention, breaking some rules, observation, intuition and thinking beyond the constraints that surround him. Another theme layered throughout is a case study of his high wire walk between the twin towers in New York City in January of 1974. Numerous other experiences also bring out concepts and ideas that form the creative process for Petit. The author has also created hand drawn illustrations that graphically bring to life many of the notions and points he is making.
Creativity — the perfect crime is a story that both entertains, educates and informs the reader. It will inspire creative souls with more information than they can absorb all at once. It is a book that should be read slowly and more than once. Appreciated the same way a good glass of wine is observed and appreciated with all the senses. Philippe Petit advises: “Learn and teach, teach and learn. Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”
Philippe Petit is a performing artist who started out teaching himself to juggle, then do tight rope walking. He has been a street performer, a magician, writer and teacher. Creativity — the perfect crime, is not a text-book in any conventional sense. But it could be a great addition that expands any type of arts curriculum. Students of the arts, writing and film, at all levels of learning, will benefit from the wisdom in this book.
Review by James R Martin at J R Martin Media, author Create Documentary Films, Videos and Multimedia.
BOOK LINKS
[amazon_image id="1594631689" link="true" target="_blank" size="medium" ]Creativity: The Perfect Crime
Create Documentary Films, Videos and Multimedia: A Comprehensive Guide to Using Documentary Storytelling Techniques for Film, Video, the Internet and Digital Media Projects.