Leonardo Education Forum
Thinking vs. Making
Thursday, February 15, 12:30 PM–2:00 PM
West Ballroom, 3rd Floor, Hilton New York
Chair: Gabriel Harp, University of Michigan
Abstract:
One of the challenges that has always confronted artists is figuring out how to develop a successful formal realization of a concept, in other words, how to bridge the gap between thinking and making. This dilemma is particularly problematic for creative work at the interface of art, science, and technology, which must satisfy multiple sets of criteria that may be at odds with each other. In science, for example, a great deal of emphasis is placed
on internal consistency (forming hypotheses, building models, comparison, confirmation, etc). The arts, by contrast, have their own criteria for evaluating their conceptual and formal realization, which, are arguably equally demanding, although they are not as systematically defined.
How can interdisciplinary practitioners fulfill the requirements of science and engineering, while simultaneously producing works of art that succeed in satisfying aesthetic criteria? What projects have been successful both scientifically and artistically and can serve as examples of best practices, methods, and processes for addressing these challenges? How can mentors help
students and early career professionals develop integrative behaviors and apply them to hybrid research? What emerging forms of curricula might support more transdisciplinary training? This mentoring session for graduate students and emerging professionals will focus on specific strategies in these areas. Participants include Gabriel Harp, Mariah Klaneski, and Josh
Levy (Co-Chairs), Eddie Shanken, Andrea Polli, Amy Ione, and TBA.
