The whole notion of creative immersion is a fascinating one and one which hasn’t been explored in a great deal of detail, and certainly not in way that takes high level psychological analysis, and puts it into a practical context for artists. Paris looks at the idea of creative immersion from as broad a perspective as possible, looking, not only at the notion of how we immerse in our own creative place to create, but also how we use the work of others:
…another way to experience immersion is by appreciating someone else’s art. I believe that it is the hope for an immersive experience that leads us to art galleries, concerts, and bookstores. Listening to music, looking at a painting or photograph, watching a ballet, or reading a book can be a vitalizing, strengthening, and transformative experience. Carl Rotenberg referred to this immersive experience as a “shared experiential space” between the viewer and the artist. We feel that the artist has expressed what we needed to express, that the artists has put into form what we experience and imagine. (22)The work of many other artists and analysts are referenced and explored along the way, and Paris uses her own immersion in the work of Peter Gabriel as an example. She also references the impact of her own relationships and those of others that she has worked with to illuminate her points. This is well paced and inspirational book which artists and creative people of all kinds will find valuable. Creating real art from a place of honesty can be confronting and painful. Standing at Water’s Edge provides a deep psychological understanding of what is required, and how we can allow ourselves deeper immersion into the world of our art, regardless of what kind of art we practice. The end result will be not only more powerful art, but a better sense of who we are and how to overcome the many fears that block our creative impulses in all aspects of our lives.
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