Forever Jung
posted by: Nathan Stevens 29th July 2009
Overview: Much of today's lab was devoted to developing a working understanding of processes and practices as individuals and very much afforded everyone the opportunity for some critical self examination. The morning consisted of a series of introspective exercises introduced to the group by Sydney-based artist and architect Tom Barker. After ten cuppas and a Mr. Roboto jam session, the Lab kicked off with some Jungian introspection.
Me Myself and I: Warriors and magician's and other "artistypes"
If you are ever wondering why you feel involved when watching TV soaps, or why you easily empathize with the concerns of other people, take a Jungian Typology Test to gain some psycho-analytical insight into who you are! Tom Barker introduced the group to this personality test, asking them to consider who they are according to Jung. After being urged to "take the test" myself, I quickly jumped online and clicked my way through the 72 yes/no questions.
The results: Extrovert Intuitive Feeling Perceiving. Interestly enough that makes at least six out of "" in the group! Touchy-feely people those artist-types are. :)
In addition to the test, Tom also introduced the group to Jung's theory of archetypes and the KWML (King-Warrior-Magician-Lover) cycle. It seemed to be the general consensus that much of the group was in some phase of a warrior-magician transition, meaning that most were at a stage in comunicative practice where their "battles" were on the wane and while gaining some social ground in their quest for methodological rule.
From an observational point of view what becomes important about these exercises, in the context of the lab, is that they provide a framework for the collaborators to better understand how they relate to themselves and more importantly to one another. By creating these personality 'name badges', the collaborators immediately became identifiable within the group based on framework of similarities and differences.
Splendynamics: Studying creative flow charts
Unpacking artistic personality was the name of the game. Furthering this idea of self-distinction, each collaborator was asked to draw a picture of themselves and create a diagram of their working practice. These diagrams were then taped up around the walls of the labratory. Each person then offered an in-depth explanation to the group on the fundamental dynamics of their working methods. In academic circles, this is often referred to as "reflexive methodology" and is common practice amongst artists developing any critical understanding of why and how they do what they do creatively. After speaking with the group, it's clear that these exercises opened up a level of understanding that can only be exposed through these experimental type of visual and verbal sharing. Tom Barker described the exercises as a means of "profiling the artists through creative tasks in order to open up an understanding of self". By sharing their creative working processes as artists, architects, dancers and designers, the collaborators allowed for the core of how they identify with their environments and could offer some insight into how they do what they do; their similarities and differences as creative individuals within a group and how these are communicated through their diverse creative practices.
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