Oblique Strategies

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Musician Brian Eno and painter Peter Schmidt created this set of general constraints for overcoming creative blocks in 1975. Here are a few examples out of about 135 cards.

  • Ask your body /
  • Be dirty /
  • Be extravagant /
  • Breathe more deeply /
  • Cascades /
  • Convert a melodic element into a rhythmic element /
  • Decorate, decorate /

The above selection might be the most performable of the set. Most of the cards provide a much more indirect inspiration. Despite not forming any system, Oblique Strategies may still be called rule-cards, because the only content of each is an imperative statement. The cards are most probably intended for an individual, but are possible to use in group activities too.

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