Suspension of Disbelief

When we experience a movie, book, or piece of art, part of the onus is to suspend our disbelief in the artificial nature of the medium. But what if the medium is actually more realistic than the original art form? And how do we allow our minds to move beyond our daily constraints of rational thought to become truly creative? I found myself pondering these thoughts as I was sitting in an open air theater the other night in Laguna Beach during a performance of “Pageant of the Masters.”

I’m on the West Coast this week in part as visiting professor at Cedars Sinai. However, given that both of our sons are here, the trip was expanded to include this past weekend where everyone met in Solvang (where the movie “Sideways” filmed.) The ride back to LA paralleled the Pacific Coast Highway, leading to thoughts of motorcycles with the boys, but that’s for a future blog.



On Monday, we went to Orange County to catch up with some old friends. Tickets had been purchased for a show at the Art Center, where classic paintings apparently “come alive.” Although it meant a late return to LA, at least the traffic on the 405 would be light, and I agreed. Prior to the show, which begins at sunset, an open air art gallery was in full swing. I was never a great student of Art History; however, I am always amazed at how an artist can transform disparate colors, textures, and materials into shapes and objects that elicit a visual and emotional response.

The Pageant has been held since 1936. Classic paintings are recreated with real people posed as if they were part of the painting. The entire experience is set to music with a narrator acting as your guide through the gallery. The theme was “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry,” and ranged from Jan Steen, through Larsson, ending with the traditional DaVinci’s “Last Supper.” Even when you watch the actors being posed, it is difficult to believe they aren’t part of the painting, as the lights are dimmed and then reignited. I was mesmerized, and found myself feeling connected with the artist and what they were trying to capture centuries ago. The rational mind quieted and the experiential mind was released.


So it is with our own creativity. When are able to release our overthinking of what is real, we are able to imagine what can be. For a brief time today, suspend your disbelief and dream. ....And if you're really brave, share the dreams with others.