Inside/out : mirrors for reflective, creative thinking

Abstract

In this document I present three tools for reflective, creative thinking: Pillow-Talk, the NeverEnding Drawing Machine and Calliope. These tools make use of the "distorted mirror" metaphor for self-reflection. They are designed to debunk myths of creativity as an acquired faculty and instead promote creative apperception and flexible thinking. Pillow-Talk is designed to prime dream recall and facilitate capture through voice recording. Considering the dream an aesthetic experience we all undertake, where the dreamer is free to test knowledge liberated from physical and moral constraints, its aim is to promote flexibility in levels of thought. The NeverEnding Drawing Machine and Calliope endorse flexibility in vehicles of thought through co-creative and collaborative play. One can incorporate any object found in the environment as a tool or material, thus making contextualized and personalized creations. They promote cross-cultural and cross-generational co-creation as the echo from which to recenter perception.