Once again, I feel a great debt of gratitude to Laura.

Thank you for this,

Steve

On 1/25/05 2:17 AM, "Laura Brearley" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Hi Everyone
> It is another year and I am returning to my worklife after three weeks down at
> the beach house. I wanted to reconnect with you all.
>
> My last few months of last year were extraordinarily busy - and all I could do
> was skim read and print off the lively conversation that was happening in the
> network. It was a truly great conversation exploring how we are framing
> aesthetic research and who we are and how we might work together.
>
> I've had the most wonderful time reading through the conversation in one
> sitting and this email is my response to that experience.
>
> I love being part of this network.
> Laura Brearley
>
>
> Some Jewels from the ACORN Conversation of 2004
>
> In the following poetic texts, I have played with some of the concepts that
> engaged me during our ACORN conversation of 2004. Within these texts, I have
> linked ideas that felt to be talking to each other. I hope that in this
> changed form, they still reflect the intent of those who first wrote them.
>
> I offer them back to you in the spirit of the on-going gift I feel I receive
> in being part of this dialogue. If any of you would like to change, add or
> substract from these texts, you are very free do so.
>
> Sometimes
> It may not be possible
> To articulate ideas
> In a dominant language
>
> Sometimes the best theories
> Are wisely woven
> Into a beautiful story or play or poem
> (David Cowan; Pierre Guillet de Monthoux 2004)
>
>
> Questions
> What matters
> Is the sensitivity you cultivate
> And the questions you ask
>
> What jumps out at me?
> What am I attracted to and repulsed by?
> How would it be to live here?
>
> What do I smell?
> What are the feelings as I linger?
> What's funny?
> (David Barry; Antonio Strati 2004)
>
>
> Lingering
> Linger longer
> In spaces and ideas that are attractive
> Not explanatory
>
> Go to the places
> Where your horizon of truth meets and merges
> With those of others
>
> Spend some time
> Exploring the relationship
> Between art and what it is to be fully human
>
> Linger longer
> Points that can only be felt
> Emerge long after the first encounter
> (David Barry; Ken Friedman; Stephen Linstead 2004)
>
>
> What is Unique
> What is unique about aesthetic research?
>
> Aesthetic research restores continuity
> Between artistic intensity and the everyday
>
> It honours the integral nature of theory and practice
> It seeks divergent generalizability
>
> The logic of the senses
> The ecology of the senses
>
> The organic process of
> Decomposing and recomposing
> (Ralph Bathurst; Sue Copas; John Dewy; Nanette Monin; Miha Pogacnik; Steve
> Taylor 2004)
>
> Aesthetic Research
> Aesthetic research seeks truths that we each connect to
> And make our own in different ways
>
> It explores sense-making
> As the product of all of our senses
>
> It challenges the slick way of editing reality
> Of making quick decisions in a historical void
>
> Of applying managerialist technology
> To processes we do not really understand
>
> Of choosing a strategy
> And pretending we can make it come true
>
> Aesthetic research challenges the core
> Of our economically colonized society
> (Pierre Guillet de Monthoux; Nanette Monin; Miha Pogacnik; Steve Taylor 2004)
>
>
> First and Second Order
> First order
> Cause and effect
> Second order
> After effect            Beyond cause
>
> Art and aesthetics may both (or either)
> Generate first-order or second-order knowledge
> They may either (or both)
> Be instrumental                 Or not
> (David Barry; Ken Friedman 2004)
>
>
> Privilege
> The academy may privilege
> Propositional knowing
>
> That doesn't mean
> It's the way it should be
> (Steve Taylor 2004)
>
>
> Artists Are*
> Artists are an endangered species
> What do they offer?
>
> Criticism
> Experience and insight
> Sensory knowing
> An extended epistemology
> Narratives that capture the hard-to-say
>
> The basis for the search
> Of a worldview
> (David Barry; Pierre Guillet de Monthoux; Miha Pogacnik; Steve Taylor 2004)
>
>
> Many Truths
> Do our methods lead us astray at times?
> There are many truths
> All partial
> (Rob Austin; Brian Moeran 2004)
>
>
> Variations
> Art is an adaptive variation
> The marginalisation of art is a maladaptive variation
>
> If it persists it spells trouble
> For our species
> (Ellen Dissanayake quoted by Steve Taylor 2004)
>
>
> About AACORN
> Our notion of research has gradually widened
> We've intentionally tried to build a network
> Where exchanges are
> Thoughtful
> Thought-provoking
> Friendly
> Constructive
> Warm
> (David Barry 2004)
>
>
>
> Dr Laura Brearley
> Senior Lecturer
> School of Education
> RMIT University
> Bundoora West Campus
> Tel: 613 9925 7923
> Fax: 613 9925 7586
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> Location: 220 : 2 : 18
> Postal address: PO Box 71, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia 3083
>


Steven S. Taylor, PhD
Assistant Professor
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Department of Management
100 Institute Rd
Worcester, MA 01609
USA
+1 508-831-5557
[log in to unmask]