What happens to Alexander McQueen when he achieves his life's dream? Is he able to continue creating inspired collections in spite of the intense pressures of global fame? What are the personal meanings behind his most iconic collections? And what leads to his tragic end? We will explore all of those questions and much more on this finale to the McQueen series. ∞∞∞∞∞ View the companion gallery for this episode here: ⁠⁠https://mjdorian.com/mcqueen/⁠⁠ ∞∞∞∞∞ Video of the McQueen's Eclect...

All creative geniuses have visions throughout their lives which guide their work. What does it mean to have a vision? How does a vision differ from a goal? How do you discover your own vision? Let's talk about it. This insight developed from recent studies and reflections I've been engaged in, it is part of my current attempt to define creative genius through several traits which all creative geniuses seem to share. In searching through all of the insights gathered over five years of doing...

More than anything else in the world, Alexander McQueen at 21 years old wants to be a fashion designer. He embarks on a bold journey to flip the fashion industry on its head. But what makes his early collections so revolutionary and controversial? And what leads to him being 'discovered'? ∞∞∞∞∞ View the companion gallery for this episode (including the video of McQueen's graduate collection) here: ⁠https://mjdorian.com/mcqueen/⁠ ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to...

How does a boy from a working class London background with no connections to the fashion industry go on to become one of the greatest fashion designers of all time? This is the story of Lee Alexander McQueen. Join me as we dive into the life and work of one of the most celebrated and controversial designers of the 21st century. ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series, the RED BOOK READING series, and all the Episode...

Ever feel like life is too busy to explore your creativity? Ever feel like you don't have enough time? On this Creativity Tip minisode we explore the idea of finding and utilizing the corners of your day. And the possibility that less time isn't always a bad thing–just ask yourself: What can I do with the time that I have? ∞∞∞∞∞ Help fund Creative Codex in 2024 with a donation to our Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/creativecodex ⁠⁠ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and gain access to the...

All of the questions in this episode were sent in by listeners via Instagram, Patreon messages, or Spotify responses. Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the RED BOOK READING series and all the Episode Exclusives:  ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian⁠⁠ Questions (in order of appearance, with timestamps): Do you think sadness / heartache / trauma is the secret ingredient to making great art? - Nikita ( 3:33 ) Of all the artists...

What is your relationship to matter? On this episode–the fourth and final episode in the Jung & Alchemy series–we journey to the heart of alchemy. Through studying examples in alchemy we answer these questions: What are archetypes? What is the collective unconscious? What is individuation? And the question to end all questions on the matter: What happens when you practice alchemy? Does it confirm Jung's theories? Let's find out. ∞∞∞∞∞ View my Splendor Solis gallery...

This is a preview of my new Red Book Reading series, which is now available on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian Each month I read the next chapter of Dr. Carl Jung's visionary masterpiece, The Red Book (also known as Liber Novus). Each reading is complete with original music and sound design. Whether you've already read it once and hope to gain new insights, or you have it but haven't cracked it open yet–this series is for you. Thank you in advance for your...

Join me for a journey back to a time when alchemy was revered by Kings & Queens and practiced in the courts of nobles. A time when Prague was the alchemical capital of the world–drawing occultists to it from all of Europe, and ruled by a King who supported esoteric spiritual practices. Along the way we will find direct parallels between Jung's Red Book and the work of the alchemists, leading us to Jung's most misunderstood psychotherapeutic method: active imagination. We will also...

What is the hidden link between play and creativity? Why do we discourage adults from play? How do you heal your relationship with play and improve your creativity? As we journey from childhood into adulthood, the world demands that we abandon play and daydream–relegating them to the domain of childhood. But of the many sacrifices we all must make in our transition into adulthood, this sacrifice is the most damaging to our creativity. It's time we heal our relationship with play and...

Beneath the surface of Western history––deep within its cavernous tunnels––flows a river of gold. On this episode we explore the essential concepts of alchemy, alchemical artwork, Jung's theory regarding the projection of unconscious material, inexplicable dreams with alchemical symbolism, the paradox of consciousness & matter, and the unique role of revelation in alchemy. In the end, we return to The Red Book to track down a special passage which seems to prove Dr. Jung tapped into...

What is alchemy? Where does it come from? When did it begin? What does Jung find in alchemy? What does it represent to him that is so important, so profound, that it causes him to abandon his inspired work of the Red Book? It’s time to find out.  ∞∞∞∞∞ Join the Creative Codex mailing list: https://mjdorian.com/mail/ ∞∞∞∞∞ Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series and all the Episode...

This is a special guided meditation episode which takes you on a journey to meet your inner child and start a dialogue with them. It is inspired by Dr. Carl Jung's active imagination method.  My hope is that this meditation will introduce you to a new way of relating to your inner world. A way that is playful and engages one of the most powerful and seemingly overlooked tools humans have: imagination. In becoming familiar with the method of active imagination, and how to engage a dialogue...

This is the final part of a three part series about the legend of performance art: Marina Abramović. In this episode we explore Marina & Ulay's hypnosis inspired performance pieces, we follow them into the Australian outback for their six months living with aborigines, and finally explore what leads to their last performance–walking the Great Wall of China. Pieces discussed in order of appearance in the episode: • Hypnosis inspired series (1980): Nature of Mind, Point of Contact,...

Why do we start journals with so much enthusiasm, only to lose interest within a month? What is the point of a good journal? What are the profound benefits of journaling and how do we engage them? On this Creativity Tip, we explore the possibility that we are all journaling wrong. Pop culture has handicapped our ability to journal effectively, romanticizing the 'art of journaling' and externalizing our attention away from inner life. We explore two of the most important experiences a good...

This is Part 2 of a three part series about the legend of performance art: Marina Abramović. On this episode, we explore her intense relationship and art partnership with Ulay. The narrative weaves its way through their thirteen year collaboration, focusing on their early years, first performances together, and their Art Vital manifesto which encapsulated their life and art. --------- Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the Kurt Cobain series...

This is Part 1 of a three part series about the legend of performance art: Marina Abramović. On this episode, we explore her childhood, Marina's first forays into art, and her controversial Rhythm series. In a first for podcasting, we explore her performance art through sonic simulations of the works as they are discussed. Her artworks as they appear in this episode: Rhythm 10 (1973) Rhythm 5 (1974) Rhythm 2 (1974) Rhythm 4 (1974) Rhythm 0 (1974) --------- Support Creative Codex on...

This essay was inspired by the listeners of Creative Codex. It is dedicated to all the young artists who are unsure of their place in the modern world, and all the well intentioned parents, who want to encourage their child's creative journey. To them I say: art is not an option–it is a necessity. You can read this essay here: https://mjdorian.com/essays/  In the process of writing Letter to a Young Artist in the 21st Century, I realized 7 Universal Truths of Art. These are explored...

The Hell Panel of Hieronymus Bosch is considered the most infamous depiction of Hell in art history. On this episode, we will venture deeper into Bosch's Hell than anyone has ever ventured before. At its depths we will find philosophical insights, critiques of the Catholic Church, and Bosch's visionary creative genius on full display. View a video companion of this episode on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2bfQsdvdVYpxTZGTaMt2Zn?si=aee56d57f19d4194 View a high resolution version...

Have you ever noticed that you mirror your closest friend's habits and interests? Have you ever wondered: 'how do I think like Leonardo da Vinci or Albert Einstein?' On this creativity tip, we are going to explore something we all do naturally: mirroring. And how we can use to inspire our creative work in new and unexpected directions. ----- Want to buy me a coffee or throw some coin in my 'fancy books fund'? You can do so on Venmo:...

Hieronymus Bosch created one of the strangest and most talked about paintings in art history: The Garden of Earthly Delights. But there is a riddle hidden in the garden: is it an idyllic paradise or a sinful false paradise? On this episode, we will dive deeper than ever before to search for the answer. Other questions we will explore on this episode: what makes The Garden of Earthly Delights a work of creative genius? Why do some historians consider it a work of madness? And what do we...

Imagine if you were a student of Leonardo da Vinci during the height of the Renaissance? What would you learn? All the secrets of oil painting, the hidden proportions of human anatomy, Leonardo's philosophy on life...Let's find out. On this episode, we explore Leonardo da Vinci's Treatise On Painting through three lectures on Proportion, Anatomy, and Color. We stumble onto the invention of 'orange'. And finally, we uncover unlock the secrets of The Vitruvian Man. Join me for this special two...

On this minisode, we’re going to explore the physical and creative benefits of napping. I’ll share with you my personal method for easing into a nap practically anywhere. And we will answer this question: are there any creative benefits to napping? Dorian's Nap Method: Set your alarm for 17 - 20 minutes. Lay down on a bed (with a sleep mask) or elsewhere, like a car (with sunglasses). Slow down your breathing and scan your body for any tension. Slowly count from 1 to 15 in your mind,...

Today in Creative History: August 18th, 1969, Jimi Hendrix plays a visionary rendition of The Star Spangled Banner for a stunned audience at Woodstock. It's a performance that will go down in history as the musical climax of a tumultuous decade in the USA. Decades later, this rendition still sounds as startling to our ears as it must have to the tens of thousands in attendance.  If you'd like to become a supporter of Creative Codex and receive access to all of the patron exclusives...