Creative Innovators

From The New Yorker’s archive: a selection of pieces about artistic visionaries. View in browser | Update your preferences In 2015, Rebecca Mead profiled Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wanted to tell a story about the Founding Fathers by melding hip-hop with history. Miranda’s creative vision revolutionized the Broadway musical and influenced a generation of theatregoers. Like Miranda, many artistic trailblazers often work at the intersection between the traditional and the visionary. This week, we’re bringing you a selection of pieces on creative innovators. In “The Abstractionist,” John Seabrook writes about the inventive designs of the architect Zaha Hadid. In “The Shadow Act,” Hilton Als explores the imaginative silhouettes of the artist Kara Walker and considers the historical influences on her work. In “The Misfit,” Judith Thurman examines the life of the reclusive avant-garde designer Rei Kawakubo. Finally, in “Godmother of Soul,” Kelefa Sanneh chronicles the remarkable career of the soul singer Erykah Badu. All of these pieces remind us that the creative spark is just a starting point for innovative virtuosity. We hope they bring some enchantment to your Sunday. —David Remnick From The New Yorker’s Archive Onward and Upward with the Arts All About the Hamiltons A new musical brings the Founding Fathers back to life—with a lot of hip-hop. By Rebecca Mead | February 9, 2015 Profiles The Abstractionist Zaha Hadid’s unfettered invention. By John Seabrook | December 21, 2009 Profiles The Shadow Act Kara Walker’s vision. By Hilton Als | October 8, 2007 Profiles The Misfit Rei Kawakubo is a Japanese avant-gardist of few words, and she changed women’s fashion. By Judith Thurman | July 4, 2005 Profiles Godmother of Soul Erykah Badu’s expanding musical universe. By Kelefa Sanneh | April 25, 2016 Newsletters Sign Up for The New Yorker’s Crossword-Puzzle Newsletter Never miss another New Yorker crossword again. This e-mail was sent to you by The New Yorker. To insure delivery, we recommend adding newyorker@newsletters.newyorker.com, to your contacts, while noting that it is a no-reply address. Please send all newsletter feedback to tnyinbox@newyorker.com. For more from The New Yorker, sign up for our newsletters, shop the store, and sign in to newyorker.com, where subscribers always have unlimited access. Contact us with questions. View our Privacy Policy Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2020. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.