

Creative Codex
MJDorian
Peer into the minds of the greatest creative geniuses in history. Join us as we explore the mystery of how creativity works, art history and how you can improve your own creative process. The labyrinth awaits.
Creative Codex is one-part podcast and one-part imaginative lecture series, featuring thoroughly researched insights into the creative process mixed with captivating soundscapes and original music.
Produced & Written by MJDorian
Creative Codex is one-part podcast and one-part imaginative lecture series, featuring thoroughly researched insights into the creative process mixed with captivating soundscapes and original music.
Produced & Written by MJDorian
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 2, 2025 • 46min
Visionary Art: The Book of Job by William Blake (Spotify Video Episode)
Video not showing? Watch it on the Creative Codex YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/WLCVwqdw53o
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Why must the righteous suffer? This is a question at the heart of The Story of Job. On this special episode, we seek out the answer through the visionary artwork of William Blake.
In 1805, William Blake was commissioned by his patron and friend, Thomas Butts, to create a set of watercolor illustrations depicting key scenes from The Book of Job. Blake clearly resonated with this 2,600 year old story—there are no other Biblical narratives which he dedicated so much time and energy to. What value did Blake see in The Book of Job? Let's find out.
Join my Patreon to gain access to exclusive series such as my Kurt Cobain series, Carl Jung's Red Book Reading series, Jim Morrison series, and Creativity Tips episodes: https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Credits:
Audio Editor: Erik Texter
Original Music: MJDorian
Writer & Producer: MJDorian
All Rights Reserved

6 snips
Nov 28, 2024 • 1h 19min
49: William Blake • On Vision's Wing • Part 3: The Gods of William Blake
Discover why William Blake created his own pantheon of gods. Journey to The Morgan Library & Museum to explore his early masterpieces. Dive into Blake's profound themes through a Jungian lens, revealing connections to the human psyche. His stunning watercolors, notably those tied to the Book of Job, serve as a powerful conduit for creative expression and commentary on society. The episode reflects on the importance of art and gratitude towards supporters, with hints of future explorations into the world of tarot.

7 snips
Sep 30, 2024 • 1h 23min
48: William Blake • On Vision's Wing • Part 2: Innocence & Experience
Delve into the genius of William Blake's 'Songs of Innocence and of Experience,' exploring profound themes of innocence, authority, and love. Discover Blake's unique perspective on art and spirituality, which critiques reductionist thinking in a materialistic world. The discussion also touches on his personal journey through grief and creativity, revealing the concept of 'double vision.' Finally, celebrate the importance of community support in fostering artistic collaboration, inviting listeners to reflect on their own visions.

8 snips
Aug 7, 2024 • 1h 28min
47: William Blake • On Vision's Wing • Part 1: The Marriage of Heaven & Hell
William Blake, regarded as one of the finest artists and poets in the English language, discusses his life and struggles, living in poverty despite his genius. He delves into his visionary duality, challenging traditional ideas of good and evil through 'The Marriage of Heaven and Hell.' Blake's complex relationship with morality and his critiques of contemporary beliefs, especially those influenced by Swedenborg, are explored. The discussion also highlights the intricate balance between artistic independence and the societal pressures he faced, inviting listeners into his profound spiritual and creative journey.

8 snips
Jul 17, 2024 • 20min
Red Book Reading: Jung's Precognitions of WW1 & The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Dive into the captivating world of Dr. Carl Jung's apocalyptic visions from 1913. As he grapples with insights that may have predicted World War I, discover how his dreams and meditations shaped his revolutionary psychological theories. Explore the significance of the Red and Black Books, unravel the haunting archetypes of a slain hero, and ponder whether Jung's experiences were personal revelations or warnings from the collective unconscious. This psychological journey into one of history's pivotal moments offers a unique blend of history and introspection.

20 snips
Jun 6, 2024 • 23min
Language Fails Us: Confronting the Nature of Art & Artessence
This discussion dives into the complexities of defining art. It highlights how language often falls short in capturing the essence of creative experiences. Three pivotal concepts are introduced: the act of art-making, the resulting art-object, and the elusive artessence. These terms aim to enrich dialogues about artistic expression and deepen our understanding of creativity. The exploration emphasizes the transformative power of engaging with art, inviting listeners to reflect on their own experiences.

May 9, 2024 • 2h 6min
46: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 3)
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.
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View the companion gallery for this episode here: https://mjdorian.com/mcqueen/
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Video of the McQueen's Eclect Dissect (1997) collection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiJH8B2HxGU&t=136s
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Support Creative Codex on my Patreon and get access to exclusive episodes, including the LIMITED RELEASE SERIES (Kurt Cobain & Jim Morrison), the Red Book Reading series, and all the Episode Exclusives:
https://www.patreon.com/mjdorian
Buy me a coffee or add to my fancy books fund on Venmo:
https://venmo.com/code?user_id=3235189073379328069&created=1681912456.228596&printed=1
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Research Sources:
• Alexander McQueen: Blood Beneath the Skin by Andrew Wilson
• Alexander McQueen: The Life and the Legacy by Judith Watt
• McDowell's Directory of Twentieth Century Fashion
• Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty
• McQueen (Documentary, 2018)
• Cutting Up Rough: Alexander McQueen (Documentary, BBC, 1997)
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Audio Editor: Erik Texter
All Music by MJDorian
Written & Produced by MJDorian
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Thank you to my Dream Maker tier!
Executive Producer: Mike Hill
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Thank-you's & 'shout outs' to the Shadow Fam!
Shadow-Fam: AKD, Anna Wolff, Aranea Push, Arturo Barrios, Barak Talker, Brandon Massengale, Cesar Roman, Chee Sing Kam, Clark Price, Clinton King, Dallas O’Kelly, Danny Olague, DVM, Elle, Ellis Morton, Gabriel Trudeau, Geo_H, Hamed Iranmehr, Jane Lopardo, Janet Roccanova, Jaskaran Purewal, Jasmine Carroll, Joe Boland, Kahlil Pyburn, Kawika, Kayla Dawson, Kristin Richard, Kristina Lamour Sansone, Maurus Fitze, Michael Lloyd, Nicole Wessel, Owen McAteer, Rach, Rachel Schultz, Rebecca, Ricky, Robert, Romina, Scott Wierzbicki, Sigitas Treciokas, Simon Bonanno, Sowmya Hariharan, Tamara, Terry W, Uppity Mantis, Venetia Nadin, Yadie Cisneros, Zarja Menart, and Zuzana. Thank you for your support!
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Connect with me on social media for all the newest updates:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/creativecodex
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjdorian/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mjdorian
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mjdorian
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Creative Codex is written & produced by MJDorian.
All rights reserved.

7 snips
Mar 26, 2024 • 12min
Creativity Tip 23: Be Driven By A Vision
Explore the importance of having a clear vision in creativity, drawing inspiration from creative icons like David Lynch. Dive into how artists like Hilma Afklinte and Picasso developed their unique visions. Learn how a vision shapes creative pursuits beyond goals, sparking creativity. Follow the intense journey of crafting an album with a powerful vision. Embrace the significance of having a clear vision to fuel creativity and identify personal strengths.

Mar 7, 2024 • 1h 24min
45: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 2)
A 21-year-old aspiring fashion designer, Alexander McQueen, embarks on a journey to flip the fashion industry. His early collections are revolutionary and controversial, inspired by dark themes. His collaboration with Isabella Blow leads to iconic designs like the bumster pants and the Taxi Driver Collection. McQueen's avant-garde creations and personal struggles fuel his creative visions, making him a provocative and innovative designer.

Jan 25, 2024 • 1h 5min
44: Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows (Part 1)
Discover the extraordinary journey of Alexander McQueen from a working-class London boy to a legendary fashion designer. Explore his wild animal-inspired fashion shows, dark shadows from his past, and early passion for creativity. Uncover his rebellious nature, unique design approach, and controversial collections. Join the exploration of McQueen's captivating life and work in this intriguing podcast episode.


