Avoiding blank canvases: street art and the Earless Mickey | David Zinn | TEDxUofM

An Ann Arbor native and University of Michigan alum, David Zinn is a world-renowned street artist who specializes in chalk art and is most known for his trademark chalk creatures. His work has taken him everywhere from Ann Arbor to Taiwan, and it is always improvised based on unique locational elements like cracks in the sidewalk. In his talk, he shares his perspective on street art, blank canvases, and more. David Zinn is a renowned street artist who specializes in chalk art and is most known for his trademark chalk creatures. His work has taken him everywhere from Ann Arbor to Taiwan, and it is always improvised based on unique locational elements like cracks in the sidewalk. He’s super excited to share his perspective on street art, artists and more on the TEDxUofM stage this year! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

Пікірлер: 73

  • @topcat2935
    @topcat29354 жыл бұрын

    For a guy who didn't want to talk to people, he is an amazing speaker! David, Thank You for sharing your (little a) art and your stories.

  • @michaelmilsom9518
    @michaelmilsom95183 жыл бұрын

    My heart was racing to see what he would do with the wall and the street lamp once he saw the opportunity. Too brilliant

  • @ralphlivingston894
    @ralphlivingston8944 жыл бұрын

    How did A supposedly shy person become so accessible and charismatic on stage? One of my favorite TEDTalks of all time and a wonderful escape for the time we’re going through right now. Thank you.

  • @rhinosoars
    @rhinosoars4 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful! Not every Artist is as ARTiculate about their craft.

  • @ZLinkElite
    @ZLinkElite Жыл бұрын

    Wow he is not only a capital A artist but a great speaker!!! Love him even more!!!

  • @PalomaVita
    @PalomaVita2 жыл бұрын

    I so enjoyed your talk, Mr. Zinn. I love your street art and follow you on social media. I've even bought some of your cards... so nice to get a glimpse of the man and what brought you to do what you do. You bring magic and joy to everyone who sees your work. Thank you

  • @ohheyitsCassie
    @ohheyitsCassie2 жыл бұрын

    What an incredibly underrated TedTalk! I laughed, I teared up a bit at the end, loved it. A beautiful, creative mind, a gorgeous speaking voice and a fantastic ability to tell stories.

  • @Wildweib

    @Wildweib

    Жыл бұрын

    Same here! Thanks for writing almost the exact comment I wanted to write 8 months later, and merry greetings from Germany, Cassandra :-).

  • @tc2486

    @tc2486

    3 ай бұрын

    Totally agree with everything you wrote.

  • @tangoz811
    @tangoz8114 жыл бұрын

    Probably the best tedtalk I have heard in a very long time

  • @jamesthomas1244

    @jamesthomas1244

    4 жыл бұрын

    Indeed. There is some deep and meaningful Zen going on here. The Zen of Zinn.

  • @Wildweib

    @Wildweib

    Жыл бұрын

    @@jamesthomas1244 Brillant comment, and so true. I'm a loving adept of Zinn Zen too.

  • @miayoga1714
    @miayoga17143 жыл бұрын

    What an absolutely loveable, down to earth, wise human being! Thanks for this brilliant TED talk. I'm now officially a proud member of the pareidolia tribe.

  • @tvkwinn
    @tvkwinn4 жыл бұрын

    David Zinn, I loved your doodles in High School and have followed your sidewalk art. This capital A Art is worth a drive to Ann Arbor. Wonderful to see your witty humor has stayed with you as well!.

  • @Piscesgyal26
    @Piscesgyal264 жыл бұрын

    What an interesting and inspiring TED Talk! I've seen David Zinn's chalk art but I never knew his story behind it. Keep on creating it's just great! 😁

  • @forgetmenotnotes3337
    @forgetmenotnotes33373 жыл бұрын

    Amazing that something so simple can bring about so much joy. I’m grateful for his talents and hope to see find one of his chalk drawings one day.

  • @suriita
    @suriita4 жыл бұрын

    Very inspiring. David, according to me, you are The Capital A Artist. Keep on bringing joy to one and all.

  • @Emy53
    @Emy532 ай бұрын

    This artist is amazing. I love his street art. His art is better than any others I have seen. He's a natural.

  • @jamesthomas1244
    @jamesthomas12444 жыл бұрын

    Zinn is a zen master. You can feel it from the cadence of his voice and in the wisdom of his story and words. The zen of zinn. There's a book there.

  • @michaelperrotta2333
    @michaelperrotta23334 жыл бұрын

    So Amazing!!!!! Truly one of the best Ted talks!

  • @angelbear444
    @angelbear4444 жыл бұрын

    We adore David! His work brings us so much joy when we are around town. He's the nicest guy too. We have talked to him several times and own his two books. A great artist and human!

  • @vilod
    @vilod4 жыл бұрын

    Yes. This was an amazing Ted talk. I seen the end picture before knowing the source and upon watching the slow reveal of it, I began to weep. Being filled with the joy of my discovery, I have been forever changed by its conclusion.

  • @crimsonffire
    @crimsonffire4 жыл бұрын

    I love street art, some very clever and talented people out there, really enjoyed this guy's sense of humour and insight really good tedtalk

  • @leohoh1001
    @leohoh10014 жыл бұрын

    I met him during the Chalk-a-lot fest in Two Harbors, MN a few years ago, but never got to hear his story. This is an inspiring fun story! Thanks David!

  • @131dyana
    @131dyana4 жыл бұрын

    I agree art is every where in my head. I see things around me that others do not see, but you do see it. thank you.

  • @vsoraya
    @vsoraya2 жыл бұрын

    David…you are a genius. Enjoyable presentation, would like to listen a little more, thank you!

  • @scottrousseau496
    @scottrousseau49610 ай бұрын

    I teared up for sure at the end. Such a great talk... in that nothing was forced. All was observed. Thank you.

  • @catswirejewelry
    @catswirejewelry Жыл бұрын

    I love every second of this and was sad when it ended. Your art never fails to make me smile, even squee with happiness, and I can't say how much that means to me, especially in a time like now. To me, that is A art. Thank you.

  • @moadonhasafot3838
    @moadonhasafot38384 жыл бұрын

    An incredible TEDTalk!! One of the best!!

  • @daniesza
    @daniesza4 жыл бұрын

    So eloquent. And talented story teller and artist

  • @h.m.3-L
    @h.m.3-L4 жыл бұрын

    This man is a Treasure. Thank you big A!

  • @CMDR_Elizium51RA
    @CMDR_Elizium51RA4 жыл бұрын

    Loved listening to this! Fun hearing the stories as I went to high school with David and he was a good friend. He's an incredibly interesting, funny and talented human.

  • @jeanninewaken7147
    @jeanninewaken71472 жыл бұрын

    Great talk, great voice, great inspiration and great sense of humor.

  • @betweenthepoles
    @betweenthepoles4 жыл бұрын

    Love your art and how it integrates so seamlessly with the environment! Oh, and your critters are just darn adorable. 🙂

  • @iminco9844
    @iminco98442 жыл бұрын

    What a fabulous talk!

  • @OllyJefferyMusic
    @OllyJefferyMusicАй бұрын

    Hey David. This was a really engaging and very well thought out presentation. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. You are so inspiring and incredibly good at taking those opportunities with the creative potential of the sidewalk... and singing in the rain!!

  • @mohammedfaqih499
    @mohammedfaqih49910 ай бұрын

    What he says at the end is something i live by. Great great talk

  • @myfamilymatters
    @myfamilymatters4 жыл бұрын

    Loved this explanation of your process for acquiring the understanding of how to be brave enough to be creative and let others celebrate and share the joy that you get from your talent. Very inspiring.

  • @Vro-
    @Vro-7 ай бұрын

    I'm always curious to know and learn about people. I found this mans capitol "A' art on instagram and discovered more about the man behind the chalk. This along with his keen perspectives on what I now know about pareidolia all makes sense, thank you for a fantastic Ted talk!

  • @jbdmed
    @jbdmed4 жыл бұрын

    loved this talk ! I remember walking down Washington St many times to see the earless Mickey and wondering who may have done that

  • @LakeyProductions
    @LakeyProductions4 ай бұрын

    Such a great story teller, such a great explanation of what you do! Super inspired as a fellow sidewalk chalk artist

  • @carinado1636
    @carinado16364 жыл бұрын

    Your art is great! And this talk is great as well!

  • @kathyrae5574
    @kathyrae55749 ай бұрын

    Wow, that’s really great! I found your chalk drawings on Instagram, and they just drew me in… and I loved the mini stories underneath each drawing… But I was very surprised to hear how articulate you were! Excellent talk!

  • @bradholmes1832
    @bradholmes18323 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant!! Thank you kindly, David - Great Messages, all the Way Through! Brad Holmes Tai Chi Gold Coast.

  • @shoshannafachima1306
    @shoshannafachima13064 жыл бұрын

    Bravo.excellent talk and the elements of creativity so extraordinary.

  • @azfreeaz2665
    @azfreeaz26654 жыл бұрын

    wonderful, lovely and inspiring. Thank you thank you thank you!

  • @vandanunes
    @vandanunes4 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful. Thank you for inspiring us all.

  • @cklinv
    @cklinv4 жыл бұрын

    Best story ever!

  • @lindsayb4527
    @lindsayb4527 Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely inspired-just like your art!! You are a capital A Artist!!! 🤩

  • @LC-pk4zz
    @LC-pk4zz4 жыл бұрын

    Love this!

  • @Tangobutton
    @Tangobutton2 жыл бұрын

    Years ago, our friend, dancer Whitley Setrakian, other half Steve Stanchfield (Ann Arbor native) and I were going to touch up the Mickey on Washington Street. That was around 1989. Steve says that it was painted in the 70s and that there were several around town. Just one of those Ann Arbor things! I will post my photo of it on Instagram and tag you.

  • @Dallas-Nyberg
    @Dallas-Nyberg4 жыл бұрын

    Awesome presentation... I love his artwork.

  • @griffithsOZ
    @griffithsOZ3 жыл бұрын

    Great talk

  • @jenford7078
    @jenford70784 жыл бұрын

    What a lovely man he is.

  • @mjpete27
    @mjpete279 ай бұрын

    Hullo David, thanks for the talk! I have seen some amazing street artworks. You sir are an Artist of this there is no doubt, yep capital A Art! I am going to look for your books as This is the first I have heard you had 1 or even 2! See ya in the funny papers or on the street!

  • @sktrudeau
    @sktrudeau3 жыл бұрын

    Inspiring!

  • @JCs-Music
    @JCs-Music4 жыл бұрын

    art has brought him full circle

  • @catherinecervas3726
    @catherinecervas37264 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful talk and artwork, Thank you. Saw this via James Gurney blog.

  • @bethschneider5223
    @bethschneider52232 жыл бұрын

    Amazing

  • @lindaokane6986
    @lindaokane69868 ай бұрын

    Wonderful

  • @dc70
    @dc704 жыл бұрын

    wow what a guy !

  • @pamelamohn5931
    @pamelamohn5931 Жыл бұрын

    He should check out The Wall Dogs. They go into towns, with approval and paint murals on the blank walls.

  • @anndj1118
    @anndj11183 жыл бұрын

    ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • @erikariosvalle1743
    @erikariosvalle17434 жыл бұрын

    Subtítulos por favor

  • @aileenmv5774
    @aileenmv57742 ай бұрын

    best tt ever

  • @nelsonx5326
    @nelsonx53264 жыл бұрын

    I listen better while doodling. I wonder if there is a right side left/side of brain thing going on, where doodling occupies a portion of the brain that is hyperactive and distracting when careful listening is needed. I believe I might be a bit of a hype; I always need to be doing something with my hands. Even when watching a movie on TV with my sweetheart I would practice guitar quietly. Anyways, in 8th grade in 1968, a math teacher got mad at me for doodling, and I had to go to his classroom after school and do a 50 drawings on the chalkboard for punishment. I wasn't allowed to doodle and failed the class. I had to take the class again, with a different teacher who didn't notice or didn't care that I doodled, and I passed the class. I grew up to be an artist. I'm very good with mechanical geometric drawing in perspective. Geometry is a form of math.

  • @lpaltageek
    @lpaltageek4 ай бұрын

    I am 83, and wishing this video would be a requirement for children to sign off on in order to go past kindergarten and every grade thereafter.

  • @Austin8thGenTexan
    @Austin8thGenTexan4 жыл бұрын

    Doodling all the time - especially when you were a child - is a trait you have in common with Karl Lagerfeld.

  • @sliceofheaven3026
    @sliceofheaven30264 жыл бұрын

    The funny thing is that David could probably earn quite a lot by just selling these street paintings to the wealthier clientele. He just seems to not choose to capitalise on his street drawings which tells a lot about him as a human being and as an artist.

  • @RedStallion2000
    @RedStallion20004 жыл бұрын

    David Zinn's voice sounds a lot like Seth McFarlane :)

  • @mohammedfaqih499
    @mohammedfaqih49910 ай бұрын

    More views??

  • @sparklylittlechicken
    @sparklylittlechicken4 жыл бұрын

    Are you married? 😍

  • @minggnim
    @minggnim4 жыл бұрын

    ...and he's not talking about art.