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On Getting Loose-Rasta’s words!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fFY4ZFvwf78

On Getting Loose

 ‘The inability to find the words to properly describe something is proof enough to me that it is fucking amazing!’

                         Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich

   I  recently watched a little segment on one of my favourite surfers, Dave ‘Rasta’ Rastovich, where he began to talk about how, as he loosens everything up, he is finding more joy, more openness and more of an ability to push the boundaries of his given sport.  Rasta is what one would call a ‘freesurfer,’ which is essentially a sponsored surfer paid to roam and get footage.  Basically, he is paid to be an inspiration to others.  Not an inspiration in the sense of winning, or dominating, as is so prevalent in the sports world, but an inspiration in the sense of ‘getting loose,’ and being free.  Showing people an alternative.  In a world where sameness is rammed down one’s throats and jammed in their faces, being shown an alternative becomes an amazingly liberating thing.

      As a surfer and nomad myself the whole concept of getting loose is one that resonates in many ways, but not just in a sports sense.  Getting Loose is a necessary concept to artists, designers and, really, all creative types in general.   When Rasta explains how loosening things up helped him find more joy and pleasure in his surfing that same idea can proliferate into the worlds of art and design by allowing looseness in, and with it things like whimsy, wit and ultimately fun and, dare I say it, impracticality. 

     When a young designer or artist learns about the act of creating something the question often asked is ‘why?’ Rarely does one say ‘Why Not?’  When, in actuality ‘Why Not?’ Is the only question the young designer or artist or architect should indeed ask themselves.  I could argue that ever since fire we humans have had absolutely no real need for any of the things that we have created.  And I only say this because every invention man has ever made has generally been to extend our own existence or imprint upon the world.  But, if all one does is ask why then try and imagine living in a plain white box eating life sustaining pills until 110 years old… no art, only practical furniture, sex only for procreation etc. etc. etc.  Hence, let’s drop the why-ness of it all and start to get loose. The more we throw out the unwritten rule book, push the boundaries and let things go as we loosen up, the more likely it will be that design and the arts in general will bring more joy to those that connect with them.  If someone is able to create something and thinks it to be cool, chances are, in a world of billions, that that thing will connect with another person and bring them joy.  No one will be able to please everyone and connect with the masses in what we do, but who wants to anyway?  By getting loose, in the modern day, it is far more likely that we can find our voices quicker and in turn end up creating something that creates a stronger connection with the audience.  Time for some Yoga… Time to get Loose!!!!!

        Namaste,

            Alex 

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