Ep85 Chris Orcutt

“What is art? On its basest level I think it's the communication of emotion.” - Chris Orcutt Memory Mining & 80s Magic In this episode of the Art Unknown Podcast, Jim Wills chats with Chris Orcutt, a writer and educator, in a reflective dialogue on art, memory, and creativity. They connect over their shared experiences growing up in the 1980s, using this as a backdrop to explore how art preserves culture and identity. Chris shares insights into his creative process for his nine-book series, Bodaciously True and Totally Awesome, set in the mid-1980s. He describes his unique approach of disconnecting from the internet, immersing himself in 80s artifacts, and drafting on typewriters to capture the era's essence. His "memory mining" technique focuses on emotions to organically reveal past details. The discussion covers Chris’s inspirations, the impact of 9/11 on his work, and his shift from genre fiction to more personal narratives. The conversation then explores generational differences, discussing themes of freedom, self-reliance, and the effects of technology on creativity. The episode delves into patience and artistic discipline, drawing wisdom from Nelson Mandela and John Steinbeck, and concludes with a discourse on AI, technology, and the preservation of human memory. Ultimately, this episode is a meditation on art as a vessel for emotional truth, emphasizing progress over perfection in enduring creative endeavors. chris orcutt website chris orcutt facebook Subscribe: iTunes | Android | Spotify | Email | RSS MORE ART UNKNOWN PODCASTS