Thursday, October 5, 2023

Creative Kaleidoscope: Back to the Drawing Boards


Stepping back into the classroom after a blissful three-month vacation is like embarking on a new adventure, even for seasoned college students. The anticipation, the excitement, it's all there, reminiscent of the first day of school as a child. Little did I know that this particular return to class would unfold as a captivating tale of collaboration and creativity, weaving together personal treasures and artistic expression.


As we settled into our seats, we were asked to bring a cereal box and drawing supplies to class. Intrigued and curious, we each selected an item that held profound significance to us. For me, it was my cherished liquor flask, a constant companion during some of my most trying moments.


Upon our professor's request, we placed our chosen items on the tables in front of us, forming a unique mosaic of personal artefacts. It was a tableau of memories and meanings, each box representing a chapter of our lives. I couldn't help but wonder what stories lay behind the other objects adorning the tabletop.


Our professor guided us to dismantle the cereal box before us, setting the stage for a creative journey that would transcend expectations. With eager anticipation, we tore into the cardboard, revealing its inner structure, a blank canvas for our imagination.


The next step was to sketch the item we had brought. As I delicately drew the contours of my liquor flask, I couldn't help but reflect on the moments it had been there for me, providing solace during challenging times. It felt like I was capturing a part of my own story on paper.


But the adventure had only just begun. We were instructed to draw the items placed on the table in front of us, not on our own cereal box but on the box belonging to the person seated next to us. This unexpected twist added an exciting layer of collaboration to our creative endeavour. Each stroke of the pencil connected our stories with those of our peers.


As the drawings continued to grow, shifting from one box to another, a sense of unity and shared purpose enveloped the classroom. Portsmouth, a city teeming with life and details, began to emerge on our little pieces of cardboard. The lines between our individual efforts blurred as we created a collective masterpiece.


By the end of our collaborative journey, our artwork had transcended scale and measurement. What emerged was not just a drawing, but a tapestry of observations, thoughts, and shared experiences. It felt like a book with many authors, each contributing a unique chapter to create something truly magical.


As we gazed upon the final composition, an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and camaraderie washed over the room. We were eager to see each other's creations and to witness the convergence of diverse perspectives and artistic styles. The amalgamation of all those pieces of paper had birthed something extraordinarily beautiful.

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This unexpected and imaginative journey from vacation mode to creative collaboration transformed our return to class into an unforgettable experience. Through the simple act of sketching, we had become authors of a unique story, a story of unity, creativity, and the beauty that emerges when diverse voices and perspectives come together. It was a reminder that even the most ordinary objects can become extraordinary when seen through the lens of shared creativity.
























1 comment:

  1. How do you think this collaborative practice might now impact on how you move your design forward? Could you work collaboratively in your studio group to collect research about Wymering and its histories? What research would you need?

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