Oblique Strategies
Oblique Strategies
Oblique Strategies (subtitled Over One Hundred Worthwhile Dilemmas) is a card-based method for promoting creativity, jointly created by musician and artist Brian Eno and multimedia artist Peter Schmidt. First published in 1975, these cards are designed to provide a set of unconventional strategies to assist artists and musicians in overcoming creative blocks and sparking new ideas.
Creation and Development
The concept of Oblique Strategies emerged from the collaborative efforts of Eno and Schmidt, both of whom were exploring new ways to approach their respective creative processes. Eno, already a well-known figure in the music world for his work with bands like Roxy Music and artists like David Bowie, was interested in the intersection of art and randomness. Schmidt, an artist known for his theoretical work on color and composition, shared Eno’s fascination with chance and lateral thinking.
The initial set of cards included over 100 different prompts or aphorisms. Each card offers a suggestion or a course of action designed to shift the creator’s perspective, thereby enabling new ways of thinking and problem-solving. Examples of these prompts include phrases like "Use an old idea," "Try faking it," and "Emphasize the flaws."
Impact on Music and Art
The Oblique Strategies cards have had a significant influence on various creative fields, particularly in music. For instance, Eno famously utilized these cards during the production of albums like Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy) and Another Green World. These albums are considered pioneering works in the genre of ambient music, showcasing Eno's innovative approach to sound and composition.
The cards were also employed during the recording sessions of David Bowie's "Heroes" and the Berlin Trilogy. Musicians would draw cards and follow the instructions, which often led to unexpected and groundbreaking results. The use of Oblique Strategies can be heard in the experimental sounds and unconventional structures of these albums.
Broader Influence
Beyond the realm of music, Oblique Strategies have been used by a variety of artists, writers, and even software developers. The cards encourage creative professionals to break free from habitual thought patterns, making them a valuable tool for anyone facing a creative dilemma.
The influence of Oblique Strategies extends to bands like Talking Heads, who applied these techniques during the production of their albums. The cards have also found their way into the studios of visual artists and filmmakers, who use them to inspire new directions in their work.
Editions and Legacy
Since their original publication in 1975, the Oblique Strategies cards have undergone several editions, incorporating new prompts while retaining many of the original aphorisms. The fifth edition, released in 2001, continues to be a popular version among creatives.
The legacy of Oblique Strategies is evident in their ongoing use and the continued relevance of their concepts. The cards remain a testament to the power of randomness and lateral thinking in the creative process.