The Helsinki Bus Station Theory Quiz

Who delivered the commencement speech at the New England School of Photography in June of 2004?

• Arno Rafael Minkkinen

• Richard Misrach

• Irving Penn

• Bill Brandt

What is the central metaphor used in the Helsinki Bus Station Theory?

• A train station

• A bus station

• An airport

• A subway station

According to the theory, what does each bus stop represent?

• A milestone in an artist's career

• A year in the life of a photographer

• A decade of life

• A different city

What is the main advice given by Minkkinen to the graduates?

• Take a cab to save time

• Stay on the bus

• Change your route often

• Start your own bus line

What happens to the buses after they leave the Helsinki bus station?

• They all follow the same route

• They immediately go in different directions

• They follow the same route for a while before diverging

• They stop operating

What does staying on the bus symbolize according to the theory?

• A lack of creativity

• The journey of life

• Avoiding challenges

• Persistence in your original ideas

What is NOT a key to success according to the Helsinki Bus Station Theory?

• Deliberate practice

• Jumping from one idea to another quickly

• Re-work

• Consistency

Who is mentioned as having been on the same line as the metaphorical bus #21?

• Richard Misrach

• Irving Penn

• Sally Mann

• Ralph Gibson

What does the theory suggest about originality in creative work?

• It comes from staying the course and refining your work

• It requires immediate recognition

• It's impossible to achieve

• It's only achieved by constantly changing focus

According to the text, what is the ultimate outcome of staying on the bus?

• You will run out of ideas

• You will be constantly compared to others

• Your early work will be re-evaluated and valued

• You will never find your unique vision