[Ailist] Question about Theoretical / Scientific Basis for theArtistic Representation in AI

Mon Mar 19 09:58:41 MST 2007

Hello Marij, Cheri, Dave, and Others,

  Thanks for the great conversation and wonderful suggestions you've sent.  David reminded me to bring the box of Legos next time.  I love what Marij says about the way transcending language can make it more possible for us to hold paradoxes, or at least to "see" them.  This reminds me about what Wittgenstein says about how, with the exception of some forms of poetry, once we use language to describe a thing or our experience of it, we lessen the experience--our memory and understanding of it.

  Cheri--You raised the question of focus.  For me, it's about what a particular client needs.  The quality folks needed to get out of their heads. In some cases, rather than a free form art project, I've worked with groups to collectively construct or reconstruct an organizational metapor.  In the case of a group of Mormon educators, the art project was constructing a Tree of Learning (embracing the Mormon symbol of the Tree of Life).  With the Board of Directors of a large children's choir, they built a huge version of their 2008 Gala Celebration Program Notes...and wrote a hilarious beat box song to announce it (a great celebration watching a group of doctors, engineers, accountants, and other adults beat boxing).  

  While I always include an artistic respresentation, I bring different materials and focuses to different groups.  My primary concern is the limitations on creativity that I see when groups go straight from language-intense processes in Discovery and Dreaming right into designing.  In a training last week with a group of quality professionals, I purposefully brought the whackiest materials I could think of.  One small group was resistant and their project was tight and constrained, AND they did it!  Those groups that just happened to have folks more comfortable and experienced with creative processes did more expansive, exciting, and inciting projects.  The energy of the more expansive group was contageous.  

  I asked about the scientific bases of the artistic representation because so many of the people I work with are quality officers, scientists, statisticians, business and engineering faculty, and others who are highly trained in and value empirical approaches.  In fact, for many I imagine there is an aesthetic to empiricism (well, I know there is having been trained as a biologist myself).  I figured the best way to help them connect to the artistic process would be to provide empirical data on why and how it will impact outcomes.  That's essentially the question I'm asked in my sessions, especially if there's a faculty member in the group.  And, with that question addressed, I believe more will be able to relax into the process.

  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  Jody

  On 3/19/07, Marij Bouwmans wrote:
>
> Once the emphasis in the group is on imagining into action the
> participants can find there own ways of accessing the right side of the
> brain. However in order to explain and help to understand the significance
> of using the imagination i use a presentation about Frank Gehry. i will
> include this as an attachment. I tell the story of this architect and draw
> parallels with the Ai process since it fits like a glove. Since i have
> studied his style and products it is easy to show what it takes to come to
> innovation by using imagination.
> I also use the work of Piet Mondriaan, David Hockney and recently Osmo
> Rauhala.
> What i am trying to say is that as a facilitator of the Ai process i seek
> a conection with my own imagination and ask myself how i know that using the
> imagination in combination with knowledge leads me to innovation. And
> then....if i get over my insecurity and present the provocative proposition
> design in a group it rolls. It takes a lot in a society with linear
> dominance to hold on to your own beliefs.
>
> And last but not least....i tell the original Pygmalion myth..look it
> up... juicy story
> Marij
> ps let me know if you recieved the power point
>
>
>
> On 3/18/07, Cheri Torres wrote:
> >
> > Jody,
> >
> > What a great question. Thanks for asking it. And while we are in this
> > discussion, I'd like to add to the inquiry.
> >
> > I've heard two points of view on using lots of props for this "phase" in
> > the
> > 4D cycle--one that props inspire, spark ideas, etc., helping to generate
> > play and creativity and the other that lots of props are a distraction
> > because people get caught up in the play and can run down frivolous
> > pathways. I've seen both occur.
> >
> > So...what do others think? For those who have had incredible imagery
> > emerge
> > that have truly been on target and inspired great design work, what
> > kinds of
> > props or other form of stimulation did you use?
> >
> > Cheri
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu
> > [mailto: ailist-bounces at lists.business.utah.edu] On Behalf Of Jody
> > Jacobson
> > Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 11:03 AM
> > To: ailist at lists.business.utah.edu
> > Subject: [Ailist] Question about Theoretical / Scientific Basis for
> > theArtistic Representation in AI
> >
> > Hello All,
> >
> > I am wondering if someone or someones in this AI community can shed
> > light
> > on the theoretical and scientific bases for creating an artistic
> > representation of the Positive Core and/or Provocative Proposition?
> >
> > In the spirit of the current conversation on the MBTI and other helpful
> > personality indicators, here's why I am asking specifically about theory
> > and
> > science...
> >
> > My AI practice and my Taos/Tilburg dissertation research is primarily
> > focused on introducing AI into the quality improvement / Baldrige
> > community.
> > As an INTJ / INFJ (and a similar multiplicity on any other measure and
> > on
> > more components as I age and gain wisdom), it's a natural integration
> > for
> > me, and I can readily identify with, empathize with, and hold with
> > compassion the strong resistance AI often faces in the quality
> > community.
> >
> > Recently, a participant (a professor of engineering and business) just
> > did
> > not want to do the artistic representation and insisted on knowing why
> > he
> > should (just like me when I was first introduced to AI); what's the
> > connection to outcome? While I apparently handled the situation
> > well--he
> > ended up both participating in the process and presenting his group's
> > work--he raised a question that will come up again.
> >
> > Is there a citable scientific basis, that will satisfy an empiricist?
> > Perhaps in the positive psychology literature?
> >
> > What I understand about the importance of the artistic representation
> > is:
> >
> > (1) it gives essense / embodiment / image to the Positive
> > Image--Positive
> > Action dynamic;
> >
> > (2) it more fully engages the right brain before moving into Design so
> > the
> > Design process will be entered in a more creative, engaged whole brain
> > way;
> >
> > (3) "the family that plays together stays together...;"
> >
> > (4) it's fun, gets people out of their heads, supports community
> > building;
> >
> > (5) when facilitating an AI training or process it holds the positive
> > energy from
> >
> > By the way, to incite the spirit of play, I go to these trainings
> > equipped
> > with an irresistable array of materials to use for designing skits,
> > sculptures, performance art, songs, dances, etc: animal prints on felt,
> > jingle bells, sparkle, rainbow colored shawls, balloons, pipe cleaners,
> > large sheets of poster paper, flourescent paper, feathers, old calendars
> >
> > with pictures of huge waves and surfers, plastic fruit, plastic easter
> > eggs
> > that can be opened, plastic bead necklaces, you name it! I'm always on
> > the
> > prowl for more ideas and welcome those too.
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Jody
> >
> >
> > Jody Jacobson
> > Aerial View Consulting, LLC
> > 2133 Fox Avenue
> > Madison, WI 53711
> > (p) 608.347.9961
> > (f) 608.204.0039
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> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > The Appreciative Inquiry Discussion List is hosted by the David Eccles
> > School of Business at the University of Utah. Jack Brittain is the list
> > administrator. For subscription information, go to:
> > http://mailman.business.utah.edu:8080/mailman/listinfo/ailist
> >
> >
>
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