I have been working on the design of Wax & Wane with some of my students on and off for the past 3 years. It needs some more insight and manicuring, so any feedback is welcomed. The project is meant to be implemented at any level of higher education in any class where the creative process is vital to outcomes. It is more about developing strategies for creative block, developing discipline and self-awareness for better critical and creative thinking.
wax & wane
Professor Melissa Vandenberg
Department of Art & Design
Eastern Kentucky University
______________________________________________________________________________
Wax & Wane explores the role of saturation and discipline in creative education. The title references the cycles of the moon but the project focuses on getting stronger or “better” (waxing) and the notion of becoming smaller or “weaker” (waning). The goal is to challenge existing skill sets, formulas and habits while discovering new skill sets, discipline and the role of purging in a creative mode. It promotes growth and spontaneity by offering the opportunity to students to expand and simultaneously edit in order to facilitate quality creative processes.
Objective
Students will literally wax and wane. Waxing entails trying or learning something new while the waning entails editing something they already do or have. Students need to try both aspects but they solely determine what they are willing to wax and wane. Students should use this challenge to try something they always wanted to try (wax) and to discover what they could do without (wane). Keep selections in proportion to the amount of time you have to offer the challenge. For example, do not expect to learn the guitar in one semester, but learning a few chords may be reasonable.
Proof
Students will share progress once, halfway through the semester, and must provide proof at the end of the semester. The type of proof provided depends on what is waxed and waned. If you learn the lyrics to 5 Bob Dylan songs (wax) followed by cutting off all your hair (wane) you may sing for your classmates and show a before and after photo for the hair. If you gave up soda and studied belly dancing you could log the experience of going without diet coke and show a recording or photos of belly dancing.
For Instructors
It is best to assign this challenge at the beginning of a semester and have students report back on progress at least once prior to submitting proof or a brief presentation at the end of a semester. Proof should be simple and easily shared with peers. This venture can be utilized at any level of higher education, and in any course where creative processes are important.
Waxing Ideas
Try a food you have never tried
Visit a new museum or gallery, maybe in a different town
Submit research to a new outlet or venue, like a juried exhibition
Go to a guitar/yoga/martial arts/cooking/underwater basket weaving class
Go to a live theater/dance/music performance.
Go on a hike in a new location
Try a new medium like film photography, oil paint or stone carving
Ask someone you admire to share their Netflix Instant Queue with you
Read a book recommended by a individual you respect
Go to the library; check out and read something you would have never chosen
Get a tattoo, dye you hair or pierce something
Try a new instrument, sport or club
Tell the truth to someone
Grow a plant from seed or even a garden, eat something you grew
Try meditating, origami, recycling, karaoke, salsa dancing or juggling
Write a comic novel, make a flip book or learn to change your oil or car tire
Volunteer somewhere
Collaborate on a project with a peer
Write a poem, song or story
Take someone interesting to dinner that you want to know better
Ask someone for a date
Write and mail a letter to someone important to you
Test drive a really great car
Waning Ideas
Give up social media for a day, week or month
Give up soda, sugar, alcohol, meat, caffeine or dairy.
Donate personal items to Goodwill, have a garage sale or it give away
Leave you cell phone at home, on purpose
Cut off all your hair
Go without talking for an hour or even a day
Professor Melissa Vandenberg
Department of Art & Design
Eastern Kentucky University
______________________________________________________________________________
Wax & Wane explores the role of saturation and discipline in creative education. The title references the cycles of the moon but the project focuses on getting stronger or “better” (waxing) and the notion of becoming smaller or “weaker” (waning). The goal is to challenge existing skill sets, formulas and habits while discovering new skill sets, discipline and the role of purging in a creative mode. It promotes growth and spontaneity by offering the opportunity to students to expand and simultaneously edit in order to facilitate quality creative processes.
Objective
Students will literally wax and wane. Waxing entails trying or learning something new while the waning entails editing something they already do or have. Students need to try both aspects but they solely determine what they are willing to wax and wane. Students should use this challenge to try something they always wanted to try (wax) and to discover what they could do without (wane). Keep selections in proportion to the amount of time you have to offer the challenge. For example, do not expect to learn the guitar in one semester, but learning a few chords may be reasonable.
Proof
Students will share progress once, halfway through the semester, and must provide proof at the end of the semester. The type of proof provided depends on what is waxed and waned. If you learn the lyrics to 5 Bob Dylan songs (wax) followed by cutting off all your hair (wane) you may sing for your classmates and show a before and after photo for the hair. If you gave up soda and studied belly dancing you could log the experience of going without diet coke and show a recording or photos of belly dancing.
For Instructors
It is best to assign this challenge at the beginning of a semester and have students report back on progress at least once prior to submitting proof or a brief presentation at the end of a semester. Proof should be simple and easily shared with peers. This venture can be utilized at any level of higher education, and in any course where creative processes are important.
Waxing Ideas
Try a food you have never tried
Visit a new museum or gallery, maybe in a different town
Submit research to a new outlet or venue, like a juried exhibition
Go to a guitar/yoga/martial arts/cooking/underwater basket weaving class
Go to a live theater/dance/music performance.
Go on a hike in a new location
Try a new medium like film photography, oil paint or stone carving
Ask someone you admire to share their Netflix Instant Queue with you
Read a book recommended by a individual you respect
Go to the library; check out and read something you would have never chosen
Get a tattoo, dye you hair or pierce something
Try a new instrument, sport or club
Tell the truth to someone
Grow a plant from seed or even a garden, eat something you grew
Try meditating, origami, recycling, karaoke, salsa dancing or juggling
Write a comic novel, make a flip book or learn to change your oil or car tire
Volunteer somewhere
Collaborate on a project with a peer
Write a poem, song or story
Take someone interesting to dinner that you want to know better
Ask someone for a date
Write and mail a letter to someone important to you
Test drive a really great car
Waning Ideas
Give up social media for a day, week or month
Give up soda, sugar, alcohol, meat, caffeine or dairy.
Donate personal items to Goodwill, have a garage sale or it give away
Leave you cell phone at home, on purpose
Cut off all your hair
Go without talking for an hour or even a day
Skip
TV for a day or week
Clean out your bag, purse, car or desk…
Stop cussing for a day, week or month
Tell a secret to someone
Cut down on your trash
Ride a bike or walk instead of driving
Go on an unplanned day trip, just drive and see what happens
Skip cosmetics for a day or week
Gift artwork to someone who would not expect it
Stop txting while walking, driving or when otherwise engaged
Gift a beloved book to someone beloved
Clean out your bag, purse, car or desk…
Stop cussing for a day, week or month
Tell a secret to someone
Cut down on your trash
Ride a bike or walk instead of driving
Go on an unplanned day trip, just drive and see what happens
Skip cosmetics for a day or week
Gift artwork to someone who would not expect it
Stop txting while walking, driving or when otherwise engaged
Gift a beloved book to someone beloved
Resources
Franz Kafka “The Hunger Artist”
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| HADIEH-SHAFIE: WAX AND WANE, 26"X26", INK & ACRYLIC ON PAPER Morton Fine Art |
“Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity.
It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t try to do
things. You simply must do things”
– Ray Bradbury
“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club”
– Jack London
“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.”
“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club”
– Jack London
“An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail.”
 |
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