Creativity starts with observation. As we take in the world around us, we perceive both the challenges and opportunities for improvement as well as the sparks that may ignite our next big idea for meeting those challenges.
In order to take full advantage of the power of observation, we need to confront two important questions. First, how is our vision limited by our own experiences as well as our brains’ mental shortcuts? Then, what habits and skills can we adopt and hone that will allow us to disrupt this seemingly automatic process in order to literally and figuratively see more?
To do this, we will turn to art as a tool for innovating what we see. As noted critic Jonathan Fineberg suggests, “If you want strong abs you do a lot of sit-ups, but if you want to increase the agility of your brain to respond to the unexpected, art is a great form of exercise.” In this session, we’ll put his hypothesis to the test by exercising our brains through a series of hands-on activities, including an observation walk, group discussion, personal writing, and artifact making.
What: What 3 things might your participants learn or experience as a result of your workshop? · You will learn how our vision—literally the way we see the world—is limited. · You will engage in hands-on activities designed to interrupt or disrupt our observation processes in order to see more qualitatively and quantitatively. · You will evaluate how and why art specifically can be a game-changing creative thinking tool.
So What: What might be 3 ways that the content of your workshop changes your attendees' perceptions, habits, ways of working, or view of the world? · You will be challenged to rethink the way you conceive of the seemingly “normal” process of vision. · You will take away some concrete tools for continuing to expand your ways of seeing the world. · You will have taken the first steps in developing a new habit of looking and seeing.
Now What: What are 3 ways your attendees might apply what they learn in your workshop? · You may develop a life-long habit of better observation to fuel your creativity. · You may learn to appreciate and value the perspectives of others in a deeper way. · You may learn to appreciate another facet of art beyond the aesthetic experience.