As adults what capacity have we lost? The ability to play! To play for the sake of play. To play with our super abundant energy. To play as a form of creative activity and outpression.

To play with no tinge of guilt or “pang of conscience”.

Playing is what makes us (super) human!

The wisdom of children

I feel children are far more wise than adults. They know how to play and have fun! For them playing is the ultimate creative act: they know how to “play pretend”, to role play, to draw, to photograph, to dance, frolic, to read, and derive the maximum enjoyment from reality.

Work as a means to the end

But then what happens as we get older? We get trained by society to play (without having some “productive end”is an unworthy behavior). With the modern notion of utilitarianism and the “Protestant and American work ethic”, virtue is seen as whoever can do the most work, make the most money, and who can sleep as little as possible.

The wisdom of play

I feel that the best artwork and creative creations are made in a spirit of play. I think precisely the genius of Pablo Picasso is that he was able to remain a child his whole life.

Photograph in a spirit of play

What I’m also starting to realize more and more with photography is this:

Shoot photos in a spirit of play!

This means, shoot photos NOT to gain some sort of “acclaim” from others, but do it for the sake in itself.

We don’t need to take photography or our art creation so seriously. To try to take life “too serious” is unaesthetic, and a bit macabre. Life shouldn’t be stiff, it should be fluid, supple and fun!

Conclusion: Life is about play!

Life, work, as a means to play. Create in a spirit of play everyday, and you will wake up with new zest in the morning to ask yourself:

What shall I play today?

Play on!

ERIC