Steve and all
Steve, thanks for your comments on Paul's upcoming caucus. I was immediately
struck by the phrase, "not so much emerging as suppressed", and then the
appropriate comment on the setting in Anaheim, Disneyland, as perhaps
prophetic for a 'change'. I thought immediately of how few 'stars' are
discovered overnight, but rather after years of study and tenacious and
often disappointing efforts. I think the same holds true for scientific
discoveries and the like. I think the same will hold true for business and
the arts, 'aesthetics'.
All this is to say...that I was not there 20 years ago. I am a practitioner,
perhaps even a scholar practitioner, but a practitioner. So I don't have any
knowledge or recollection of former efforts within the academy and based on
my experience with academia, especially the business schools, Steve's
comment ring true. What I would like to add, is that as the mix of folks
interested in this emerging field grow, particularly practitioners, I
believe the landscape will grow accordingly. Three personal examples. I am
facilitating a session in September for CNN...a kick off workshop for their
signature Women's Leadership Group. The session will focus on Aesthetic
Intelligence as defined in my article published this Fall. I also will be
teaching a for credit course midsemester for Coles College of Business,
titled Organizational Aesthetics and the content over 5 days will bring to
life and practical application my research with theatres and my work on
defining Aesthetic Intelligence. In addition, as a leadership online
moderator for Fast Company, I have posted several 'business blogs' that
speak to aesthetics and as a result, Fast Company has even created a
'leadership tag', organizational aesthetics.
I see all of this, all the work that members of AACORN and others are
doing, presenting...NOT as an either or to current practice but as an
expansion, an option, an additional way to reflect, learn and behave in
organizational life. I feel luck to traverse in both worlds....practice and
academia....because I think both worlds will have to continue to come
together to cultivate any new ideas and approaches. For me, it is all about
possibilities, not conclusions. Perhaps, as Steve suggested, aesthetics is
approaching a time of receptivity, a time when continued suppression will be
diminished by many examples of contribution.
Rochelle
Rochelle T. Mucha Ph.D.
o.770.649.8203
f.770.649.9898
m.770.367.1779
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http://www.businessasperformanceart.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Aesthetics, Creativity, and Organisations Research Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Steve Linstead
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 8:42 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Invitation to Caucus on Organization, Art and Aesthetic at AoM
Meetings Anaheim, CA
Dear Paul
I'm sorry I can't be at the Academy this year. I think any initiative that
seeks to advance the cause of aesthetic understanding in the Academy is to
be welcomed. But a couple of points you might wish to consider:
1) The Academy Arts caucus and the Fringe cafe did not slip away from lack
of interest. They were received with some hostility by some of the academy
representatives and eventually were actively killed off. I know a lot of
people were disillusioned and many were quite bitter.
2) Your point about "emerging interest" might well bring a wry smile to the
lips of those who have been developing this area over the past 20 years -
most if not all of whom I think are in AACORN. I think in particular the
continued existence of SCOS, whose members have played a major part in
developing the area since 1984 is a strong indicator that there is broad
sustainability in this interest, and the continued success of the Art of
Management and Organization conference which Ian King, Ceri Watkins and
myself started in Essex in 2002 has provided a specific and international
(this year's conference is in North America) focus for organizational
aesthetics that clearly demonstrates its currency. Basically you will have
probably guessed that I think that the interest is not so much emerging as
suppressed where the Academy is concerned.
3) One reason for this antipathy might be that, although your email
stresses the positive and performative aspects of aesthetics, aesthetic
practice on the whole inevitably raises more critical aspects of organizing
and management - it helps to build understanding, warts and all, rather
than just making organizations more creative and better managed. For
Adorno, aesthetic practice HAD to be critical or else it was kitsch - and
responsible for reproducing the commodified sensual passivity that allowed
capitalism to continue to dominate and exploit smoothly and effectively
whilst glossing its contradictions. Where religion was the opiate of the
masses for Marx, for Adorno it was jazz. Given the proximity of the AoM
conference centre to Disneyland, there may be some resonances here.
Anyway, best of luck and I look forward to seeing the outcome.
Steve
On Jul 10 2008, Paul Shrivastava wrote:
>AACORN & AoM friends
>
>Please join the Caucus on Organization, Art and Aesthetic on August 11,
>2008, Monday 8.30-10.20 AM Ventura Room, Hilton Anaheim.
>
>For nearly a hundred years, Management scholars and teachers have been
>chasing scientific paradigms in search of management truths. In this
>single minded pursuit they have ignored "managing as an art and the art
>of managing". "Art" is used here not as a metaphor, but as
>representation of a substantive aesthetic. Organizations are suffused
>with art and aesthetic. In recent years this has become an important
>area of study. Many management academics are seeking managing skills and
>insights from performing, visual, media and other arts. There is much to
>be gained by this kind of inquiry. Art is a key to human emotions.
>Aesthetic study of organizations can open up the poorly understood
>emotional aspects of organizations.
>
>There is no Division of the Academy of Management that focuses on the
>art and aesthetics of managing and organizing. At the 2006 AoM meetings
>there was an all academy symposium on this topic which was well
>attended. And in a prior years there was a caucus and the Fringe Café,
>which brought together people with these interests. So I believe there
>is emerging interest in this topic.
>
>The purpose of this caucus is to share artistic and aesthetic
>organizational inquiry and teaching approaches, and to explore interest
>among Academy members of establishing an Interest Group representing
>this area. We invite scholars and teachers who study or use artful
>methods, or any aspect of the arts in their scholarship or teaching to
>join us. Come and sing your management song, do the organizational
>dance, show us your stand-up act, share your organizational paintings,
>photos, films, videos, give a dramatic performance.
>
>The coffee table will be set up near Santa Barbara/Ventura room which is
>around the corner from Balboa B/C.
>
>Looking forward to seeing you in Anaheim!
>Paul
>
>
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