Foundations of creativity - Dr. Maya Ackerman (PDF)

Demystifying Creativity Margareta Ackerman Based on Keith Saywer’s Explaining Creativity: The Science of Human Innovation and Zig-Zag: The surprising path to greater creativity.  History of Creativity  Creativity is a culturally and historically sensitive concept.  Ancient views on creativity The ancient Greeks believed that the inspiration for originality came from the gods and invented heavenly creatures - Muses - as supervisors of human creativity.  Studio apprenticeships • From ancient times and into part of the Renaissance: • Artists worked in hierarchically structured teams • All final products were attributed to the master!  Leonardo De Vinci apprenticed with Andrea del Verrocchio.  Creative freedom? • Artists did not create whatever they wished. • Art served specific functions, often religious. • Artists were paid to produce exactly what the patron wanted (portraits, landscape, etc). • Art was a trade.  Status? • Status was based on financial standing • Artists were considered lower status than butchers and silversmiths. • This started to change during the Renaissance  Creativity before the Renaissance • The ability to imitate established masters • Accurately represent nature  Towards conceptions of the modern artist • Renaissance (14th to 17th century) • The art of the portrait was born (15th century) • Artists started signing their work - aligned with the new idea that an artist has a unique vision and special abilities.  Institutions of Art Formed • Museums opened • Schools of art run by the state • Artist started working independently from Church and court  New Views of Artists: 16th Century • Members of a prestigious minority • Independent of society’s norms and tastes • Inspired innovators • Communicate inner insights  Industrial Revolution (late 1800s-mid 1900s) Largely agrarian, rural societies became industrial and urban. Prior, manufacturing was typically took place in people’s homes, with simple machines and hand-tools. The industrial revolution transitioned to powered, special-purpose machinery, factories and mass production.  “Breaker boys,” whose job was to separate impurities from coal by hand in a coal breaker.  What impact did the industrial revolution have on the arts?