Living Creatively through Mystery Build

February, 28, 2012 , by Vince

photo: "Kong" by Paula Shaughnessy

The Mystery Build credo on its website reads like a call to arms: "We believe in art. We believe a healthy society requires art. Art helps us to empathize, to look at the world in new ways, to express ourselves, and to grow… Many believe art is a luxury and nonessential. We believe the exact opposite". The ideal response to that call: "Live Creatively." It is a great mindset from Roger Flake and Jeremy Maronpot, the creators of last year's popular "Your Favorite Song" contest. That contest brought artistically minded problem solvers together. Some the entries were simply mind-blowing, if you considered the steps contestants had to take from raw materials to amazing sculptures. There are videos on the Mystery Build website that provide perspective to the creative process. These videos have provided motivation for contestants in this year's contest.

So, it could be stated that Mystery Build, like the universe, is expanding. For starters, Mystery Build's second contest, with it's "Your Favorite Movie" theme, is bigger than it was last year. There is a bigger prize on the line ($5,000 grand prize, you say?). With such a large amount in prizes available, contestants will have some serious investment of time to commit to their entries. You may not want to push your creative button to the limit. But Mystery Build is here to push that button, that artistic pilot light to ignite the creative nature they believe exists in everyone. As far as the would-be competition one might face, Mystery Build is keeping hush-hush on how many people are participating in this year's contest. They will reveal more information after the submission deadline on September 16th. They have certainly sold more Kits than last year, and it is only March. Internet sales have increased dramatically. Mystery Build Kits are available through several retail stores in North Carolina, including Triangle Treasures at Triangle Town Center Mall. The Kits are now in the hands of artists in almost every state and Canada, although the highest concentration of Kits is still right here in the Triangle. It is exciting to see it spread out across the country, no wait… the continent. In the hopes of the world answering Mystery Builds' call, Australia has responded. Once again, public voting will decide this year's winners. Public voting begins on September 23rd.

While the entries for the movie contest are being screened, there's another contest geared towards kids going on at the same time. Mystery Build got a ton of requests for "a kid's version" during the first contest. They answered with "Invent an Animal". Mystery Build created this contest as a way to get kids thinking outside of the box, an exercise that will help kids develop a creative approach to problem solving. Creative thinking is a skill that is important to a young developing mind, no matter what career they may choose to pursue as they get older. Most successful business owners, doctors, managers, and (especially) teachers are creative thinkers, so it is not just an exercise for the artistic. There is also a $1000 in cash awards to be handed out! Due by October 21st, all entries will provide insight into the imagination of the young. Adults are required to supervise children (between 6 and 13) while they create their creatures.. You can catch a sneak peek of the materials, a luxury not offered for the Favorite Movie contest on the K. And starting this Friday, March 2nd, Mystery Build will hold it's first of many First Friday events at the Carter Building. "Mystery Build Kids" will allow kids to get their kits and work on their animals with the help from Mystery Build folks before that October deadline.

HighLight Art is another part of the expanding Mystery Build-verse. Right now there are 5 artists featured on this portion of the site, with more to be added soon. Still in it's beginning stages, HighLight Art will be a constantly changing platform for artists to share their work with others and discover interesting facts from art history. This part of the site will grow based on user interaction, sometime in the near future. Mystery Build is currently working on an interface to allow users to upload their own content and "highlight" entries from other artists that they discover on the network. The main page will feature selections by Flake and Maronpot from the various user entries and notable artists throughout history.

Visit Mysterybuild.com for all the details for their current and past contest, along with user content highlighting artists both new and old. Mystery Build wants to offer New Raleigh readers a 20% discount. Just enter the promo code "newraleigh" at their online store.