Thursday, October 30, 2008

Discussion Topic: Artistic Production and 'Flow'

October 31, 2008

On Artistic Production and ‘Flow’

1. Reading (from Handout)

“Chapter 5: The Flow of Creativity” from Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (pronounced "chick-sent-me-high-ee") Creativity: Flow and the psychology of discovery and invention, Harper Collins 1996.

2. William Kentridge

Read the article/interview and watch the following youtube videos on William Kentridge. Be prepared to discuss. Consider how his work follows the concepts described in the reading.

Article/interview

Automatic Writing



Venice Biennale



3. Activity and Response

a) Write up a plan for your artwork production for the week that will simulate the process of ‘flow’ described in the reading. This should be in a written (with optional graphics/drawings). (100-200 words)
b) Work for 7 hours straight without interruption. Normal needs like bathroom breaks, meals, etc are fine, but you should not be receiving or sending phone calls/messages, checking email, or doing anything that will break your concentration on making work.
c) Write up a reflection on this process- specifically describing how your experience relates to the 9 elements from pp. 111-113. (400 words)

Meet in Estabrook to discuss and share new works from 7 hour production time.

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See Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi

See this video of Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi, where he asks, "What makes a life worth living?" Noting that money cannot make us happy, he looks to those who find pleasure and lasting satisfaction in activities that bring about a state of "flow."

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