DreamDareDesignEngineer

Exploring the Mystery ofArtistic Creativity

Howard Gardner,from Art, Mind and Brain

Creative (adj) Process (noun)

creative1.having the quality or power of creating.2.resulting from originality of thought, expression, etc.;

imaginative.3.originative; productive.

process1.a systematic series of actions directed to some end2.a continuous action, operation, or series of changes

taking place in a definite manner3.the action of going forward or on.4.the condition of being carried on.

What do you think?

Do you consider yourself creative orartistic?

Why or why not?

Where does the creative processbegin?

Howard Gardner“At Harvard Project Zero, mycolleagues and I have beenobserving children as theyparticipate (or cease to participate)in a range of artistic activities.While neither we, nor ourcolleagues elsewhere, have cometo definite conclusions we havebeen moving toward anunderstanding of the drawings,songs, and metaphors created byyoung children. The key tochildren’s artistry, we have cometo feel, lies in understandingchildren’s overall patterns ofdevelopment.”

Gardner asks us to consider the letter

Consider the letter UThe upper left side represents:

preschool expression

• This is a time of heightened creativity• Students have actual sensualencounters with the world: touching,tasting, etc.

What would you see in a preschoolclassroom?

Consider the letter U

The trough represents:

elementary to middle school

This is a time of mastery of symbols,conventionality, literalnessWhat would you see in elementary school?

Consider the letter UThe upper right side represents:

middle to high school

This is a time of higher level ofunderstanding of artistic elements,greater value of artisticexpressions, ability to withstandcriticism, artistic accomplishment,creative achievements

What would you see in a middle tohigh school setting?

Do you believe the top ends of the Uare the same kind of competence?

Or are they of a fundamentally different order?

Adult Development

Child Development

Gardner feels that there are clear differencesbetween child and adult expression:

The child has no knowledge of the “convention of thesymbolic realm,” the cultural and social context.

The adult is fully cognizant of social and culturalnorms and chooses to adhere to or break them withtheir creative expression.

Isadora Duncan – “If I could say it, I wouldn’t have todance it.”

This quote captures the essence of the connectionbetween the young child and the adult artist.

As does Pablo Picasso . . .

“I used todraw likeRaphael, but ithas taken me awhole lifetimeto learn todraw like achild.”

La Donna Velata,Raphael

Portrait of Dora Mar,Pablo Picasso

But, what distinguishes levelsof artistic creativity?

Gardner says there are two components, ofequal importance:

Inborn talent – some people have borntraits like singing on pitch, natural rhythm,drawing in perspective. For some reasonthey have a natural aptitude for the symbolsystems of some art form.

The environment in which one develops –one’s home, school, community

Gardner’s Innovative Master

Given all the “right” circumstances,Gardner feels one could become aninnovative master. This representsthe “highest” level of artisticachievement and he feels that at thislevel personality and character play avery important role.

An Innovative Master:

harbors a heightened motivation to excel has a need to distinguish themselves from

others possesses a powerful vision and the

compulsion to express it must withstand criticism from all points will risk financial and professional positions and all the while living their art

passionately

Innovative Masters?

Can you name some people that youthink fit this category?

Yo Yo Ma? Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison ? Amy Winehouse?

What do you think?

Which of Gardner’s innovative masterelements do you best express?

Which are the more challengingelements for you?

Do you think you are/can be aninnovative master?

So, why do we give up on ourcreative development?

our efforts prove inadequate incomparison with others

in rebellion to those pushing us

fear of rejection, ridicule, lack ofacceptance

Let’s look over the sheets youreceived when you entered today.