The human brain is powerful and responsible for consuming up to 20 percent of the body’s total energy supply. The way our brain operates has an enormous impact on how we understand and navigate life’s whirlwind. One tactic the brain uses to navigate the world is called essentialism — the idea that each entity possesses an essence that makes it what it is.
This is a shortcut of sorts, a tool our brain uses to simplify and process information quicker. However, these shortcuts often result in inaccurate, naive mindsets. There are said to be three ways our minds generate these simplified essences. The first is by the anchoring effect — when we rely too heavily on the first piece of information we encounter. The second is the availability heuristic — when we overestimate based on what readily comes to our mind. Finally, the self-serving bias — when our personal preferences shift our understanding and expectations. One role of art is to challenge these biases — to challenge the way we experience the world and perhaps eventually the way we think and operate.
I recently attended a senior exhibition of chairs produced by industrial design students at Western Washington University. One chair blew my mind — challenging what I thought a chair was or could be. The image here shows a portion of the chair, which consisted of two components. The first element was a dark foam-filled rectangle — the size a small, thick sleeping pad.
The second was a pink woven rope that was draped around the pad. I was admittedly bewildered and slightly annoyed at first. It was not until I saw the accompanying video of the chair being used and manipulated that my opinion was transformed. The video was a performance piece — a dance between the chair and a human body. The chair came alive, filled with meaning and more beautiful as time elapsed. Its essence was only apparent while it was being manipulated and used.
All the remaining chairs were outstanding, thoughtful, innovative, and well-crafted, however, all but one checked the box of what I expected to see. The chair here un-anchored my expectations. It challenged what readily came to my mind and exposed my personal preferences. I have seen and experienced a great deal of art and design in my lifetime, and these moments occur more and more infrequently. Yes, a chair, but it transcended a mere chair and became art. Art that altered the way I understand and experience the world. For this I am extremely grateful.
in architecture school at Iowa State my first significant project was to design and build a chair out of cardboard….I’m sure Frank Gehry was the concept influencer….I don’t remember my chair, but I remember the cardboard chairs were displayed and juried at the student union….the architecture students and faculty were a dynamic influence on campus culture….it was exciting to be a part of…to see what people can create when given a few simple rules to follow (and materials)….I’m pretty sure I was challenged, but I think I half-assed it because I was immature….however….that project helped lift my brain to a new level of incite…I never half-assed a project again after I saw what other students had acheived….it kicked in my competitive spirit and my love of design in communal setting….very exciting stuff….the senior exhibition you witnessed sounds thrilling to me 🙂