DAY SEVEN

By Jem Treays

‘ a lab is about inducing inspiration’

creating conditions which encourage creativity

the focus is not on outcome yet the work needs to be framed by a question.

The question could be as simple as what if…..?

What happens IF we do this?

Task. Write a list of what ifs? Take 10 mins. Use active questioning or interrogation to define the questions or the area of interest in pairs.

In a lab there are boffins. They pursue what interest them in isolation or in teams. Sometimes they are trying to answer the same question sometimes complimentary questions. Sometimes they just mix stuff up for fun. Playing testing trying, being juvenile. Creating the condition where the pressure is on to keep working but off to produce results.

What if we picked one “What if” question and all went off in pairs and arrived at 5 tasks…

Forsythe. “develop a more reactive rather than shaped body”

We have talked about making visible the mechanics of choreography or (and I would add) performing.

What do we mean by mechanics and process. What is the difference? I think on Monday there was confusion about what we were talking about. So for myself here is a brainstormed definition:

Mechanics is HOW something works. The nuts and bolts. So sometimes by naming the task or taking the task apart we can understand how it works. It helps me to think of cars. We can deconstruct them, take them apart and reconstruct, put them back together the same or differently or re-present it with a different emphasis. We can transform the task. Or experiment with it by applying the “what if “question…tinkering or tuning. In that sense it can become playful, more intuitive? What if we add more air to the carburettor mixture? Lets do it and see.

In our garage, the lab, we also allow the opportunity for monitoring and measuring, for observation. Working under controlled conditions, in a clinical way. This recording is subjective: verbal, written, and using video and Mini Disc. This is about observing. Finding ways of capturing this observation.

The subjective responses or observation is helping us to notice how we observe, the language we employ the system we employ. We are able to compare: “Is what is clear to me clear to you?” Are there other ways of observing. What do you look for?

BY looking at how something works we the cars, the performers learn to operate with clearer definition about the tasks we are undertaking. So we can firm up the steering or adjust the throttle response or see what is needed.

Sometimes racing car technology is reinterpreted for other applications. With us it’s all a bit DIY we use the tools we have. Do we know what they are? Do we even know about the skills within the team?

Process is the WAY we do something. A process. Is a process a method? A sequence of choices ? A way of doing?

To process. To filter or organise information? To take information and represent it.

We have been looking at the mechanics of the process. HOW we engage in creating. Where the responsibility lies. How we can reach a place where each is working to his or her maximum potential. Making the process visible so we can see what we are doing and adjust it to create the conditions where creativity will flourish.

How can we help each other? How can you help me? How can I help you? Can we articulate our problems. I think Charlotte did in the first week. What are other peoples?

Identifying what the obstacles are to success. Of course these are variables and are constantly shifting. What is an obstacle now might be exactly what is required tomorrow…