Artist Research: Constructivism

What is constructivism?

Constructivism is a theory -- based on observation and scientific study -- about how people learn. It says that people construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world, through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences. When we encounter something new, we have to reconcile it with our previous ideas and experience, maybe changing what we believe, or maybe discarding the new information as irrelevant. In any case, we are active creators of our own knowledge. To do this, we must ask questions, explore, and assess what we know.  

In the classroom, the constructivist view of learning can point towards a number of different teaching practices. In the most general sense, it usually means encouraging students to use active techniques (experiments, real-world problem solving) to create more knowledge and then to reflect on and talk about what they are doing and how their understanding is changing. The teacher makes sure she understands the students' preexisting conceptions, and guides the activity to address them and then build on them. 

Asian Maslow's Hierarchy

Research: Cryptograms (and dreams)

Cryptograms are types of puzzles that consist of short pieces of encrypted text. Frequently used are substitution ciphers where each letter is replaced by a different letter/number. Originally these were created for entertainment purposes (published in newspapers) but the real encryption happens in the military and person secrets.

Solving:

based on substitution ciphers can often be solved by frequency analysis and by recognizing letter patterns in words. Double letters, apostrophes and the fact that no letter can substitute for itself in the cipher also offers clues to the solution.

Reflection:Dreams are almost like cryptograms as they pass through the different processes mentioned by Carl Jung in his book "Interpretation of Dreams" (Condensation, Displacement and Secondary Elaboration). Its complexity and cryptic nature reflects a person's unconscious mind and which helps decipher a person's wish fulfilment in dreams.

Research: Process of dreaming

Dreaming & REM:
2 or more hours dreaming at night (REM cycles)
REM sleep beings with signals from an area at base of brain (pons)
Travels to a brain region called "Thalamus"- cerebral cortex
Pons shut down nervous in spiral chord, temporary paralysis, limb muscles
Dreams are the cortex's attempt to find meaning in random signals
Cortex interprets and organizes information

Reflection:

The brain is complexed, even when it's dreaming. Even in its subconscious mind, it is constantly working, to churn out possible dreamscapes that centres around the Self.

Research: Unconscious/Subconscious - DREAMS & interpretation

The "Royal Road to the Unconscious" (Carl Jung)

Dreams are a person's "wish fulfilment".

It can be broken down into 2 categories:

1. Manifest content 

(what is remembered after waking up)

(often based on events of the day)

2. Latent content

(symbolic meaning of dream)

One's underlying wish -------------------------> Manifest content

dream work

Dream work:

transmission of forbidden wish into non-threatening form, reducing anxiety, allowing us to continue sleeping. This process includes 3 stages:

1. Condensation:

Joining 2 or more images into 1

2. Displacement

 Transform the person/object we care about

3. Secondary elaboration:

Stringing together wish fulfilling images in logical order of events. (This is why manifest content of dreams can be in the form of believable events.)

Sigmund Frued describes that there are 3 main types of dreams:
1. Direct prophecies: Chrematismos, Oraculum
2. Foretelling of the future: Orama, Visio
3. Symbolic dream: interpretation of Dreams

Reflection:

Since self discovery (self actualization) is self-fulfilment, Dreams are one way of tapping onto one's unconscious self to figure out his/her underlying wishes. Through a dream, if one is able to interpret and remember his wishful fulfilment, then he will be able to use it to gain self actualization in reality.

Unfortunately, remembering and eventually interpreting dreams is not easily done. as Carl Jung mentions that not all General symbols in dreams are Universal Symbols (i.e Online dream dictionaries are false and inaccurate conspiracies). Dreams are more like cryptograms that have to be deciphered.

Side note: I will not focus my project on "dream interpretation dictionaries" because, as mentioned by Carl Jung, dreams include more general symbolism (general symbols are more personal than universal symbols, i.e water means you have to pee), therefore, a person cannot interpret what the manifest content of a dream symbolizes unless he knows the person's circumstances in the dream itself.

Research: Conscious VS Unconscious

"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks insides, awakes." Sigmund Freud. 

State of being awake:
Conscious: 10%
Subconscious: 50-60%
Unconscious: 30-40% 

Conscious (10%):
Being conscious is having an awareness and being able to call information from your mind (recall). These 2 functions are the capabilities of the direct mind: ability to direct focus and ability to imagine what's not real. The scanner perceives an event, triggers the need to react and depending on importance, store it in unconscious or subconscious mind. This is how we think and talk rationally. 

Subconscious (50-60%):
This is the storage point for any recent memories needed for quick recall (i.e tel number). This includes current information you use everyday (such as recurring thoughts, behaviour patterns, habits and feelings) 

Unconscious (30-40%):
This is where all our memories and past experiences reside. The idea of "Repressed" was introduced by Sigmund Freud. Repressed memories or thoughts are consciously forgotten through trauma, or no longer important. They are also deep seated emotions from memories that ultimately will shape our beliefs, values, habits and behaviours. We liken this place to the "cellar" or "underground library" in our mind. The unconscious continues to influence our behaviors even though we are not unaware of it. 

 

Reflections:

Because the subconscious and unconscious mind takes up up to almost 80% of the mind, one way for one to be Self Actualized is to tap onto these parts of the mind to find out in which areas of one's life must he work on personal growth to attain such. The most popular state of (healthy) unconsciousness (i.e not a coma) would be the dream state.

Research: Mandalas & Symbolism

Symbolism
Taken from "www.whats-your-sign.com"

Native American Mandala Art Meanings

The Native American mandala is created in honor of a people that truly understand the deeper undercurrents of thought, nature, and life.

Further, they instinctively know that our own thoughts can sometimes mask the deeper messages that come from our hearts. The Native American mandala is used to uncover the deeper meanings of our hearts, and assists in observing our motivations in life in connection with the grander scale of the universe.

Native American Indians have a profound respect and understanding for the movement of Spirit. They know that all things are connected, and united. By incorporating the Native American mandala as a tool, we too can begin to understand the connectedness of the Universe.

Focusing on these mandalas and their symbolism allows our mind to cease its constant chatter, and our thoughts begin to delve deeper in the mist of thoughtthat dwells closer to the realm of Spirit. The mandala gives the chattering mind a point of focus, something to digest, while the Spirit connection is made, andclarity of the heart and soul is reached.

Common Native American Mandalas and Their Meanings

Feather Mandala:
Feathers represent ascension and spiritual strength. Feathers were worn by Chiefs to symbolize their communication with Spirit, and to express their celestial wisdom. This Native American mandala is representative of the cosmos with the center representing ourselves. When focused upon, we lose ourselves to the finer, lighter energies of the air, and we begin to feel ourselves relax into the knowledge of our presence within the universe. By contemplating such higher ideals, we are able to understand our purposes and desires more clearly. Click here for more symbolic meanings of feathers



Dream Catcher Mandala:
Legend has it that a Sioux woman could not put her child to sleep. She went to the old medicine woman who gave her a ring of willows with spider webs laced through the center. The medicine woman explained that the sleepless child suffered from nightmares, and the willow ring would serve to filter the bad dreams out, allowing only good dreams to visit her sleep. As a mandala, the dream catcher has two connotations. One, it allows us to utilize filtering power of our minds. It also brings our attention to the elaborate construction of our lives, and our power to construct and rebuild it as we deem fit. Both of these meanings boil down to the reminder that our thoughts are powerful, and have the ability to make our lives into nightmares or incredible dreams. See more about dream Symbolism here. 


Sun and Wind Mandala:
This Native American mandala represents the life giving power of the sun combined with the ever-present spirit of the wind. The two together give us a unique and intimate perspective of the powers of nature. When focused upon, the essence of who we are falls into the meaning of the mandala, and we see how the philosophical energies of the sun and wind can positively change the entire structure of our lives. See also Native American Sun Symbolism. Another page of interest: Native American Wind symbol 


Labyrinth Mandala:
The labyrinth is a common Native American symbol representing our life as a journey. It also begs the heavy questions of our philosophical beginnings. Most interestingly, these labyrinths do not have endings, and so this mandala drives home the fact that we are each infinite, and eternal. By focusing on this mandala, we are able to see our beginnings and understand it to the relation of our journey. Not necessarily viewing our life as a labyrinth, but rather, understanding our life is what we make of it. Our nature is infinite, and how we live our lives will determine the amount of freedom our soul experiences. 

Research: "Self Discovery"

Self Discovery:

Self as an identity:
- A person's essential being that distinguishes from others: as an objective of introspection/reflexive action.

Discover: find unexpectedly or during a search

- Locate, come across, stumble on, chance on, light on, track down

- Discover treasure, secrets, knowledge

Self Discovery: to know one's self

- Being aware of your strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes

- Observing and being aware of your moods, reactions and responses

- Becoming aware of how these moods affect yourself/state of mind.

- Knowing how you interact with others

- Knowing how your environment affects you

Importance of knowing yourself:
- Better set goals for yourself

- Better decision making

- Increase productivity
- Not overvaluing ourselves: this self-enhancement idea is beneficial for advancing in life. If we believe we can be the president of a large company without the credentials, our enthusiasm may propel us forward to send resumes and follow up interviews, but pull us back a notch into reality. We may perhaps accept getting a job as an intern, as enthusiasm can only propel us so far.
- Not undervaluing ourselves: When undervaluing yourself, you are spending a lot of time living within the struggle of the daily grind. When opportunities arise you tend to back away if you see something threatening to change your lifestyle and way of life, especially for the better.

Things that aid in self discovery:

- Personality tests (MTBI - Myers-Brigs Type Personality Test & The Enneagram)

- Reflective journals

Z. Hereford, writer of e-book, 9 Essential Life Skills

RHETI Enneagram Type Indicator

Type 1: The Reformer. The rational, idealistic type.
Type 2: The Helper. The caring, nurturing type.
Type 3: The Motivator. The adaptable, success-oriented type.
Type 4: The Artist. The intuitive, reserved type.
Type 5: The Thinker. The perceptive, cerebral type.
Type 6: The Skeptic. The committed, security-oriented type.
Type 7: The Generalist. The enthusiastic, productive type.
Type 8: The Leader. The powerful, aggressive type.
Type 9: The Peacemaker. The easygoing, accommodating type.

Research: Home/ Family

Sanctuary

- A material/physical house

- Architecture

Emotional State

- Comfort

- Warmth

- Peacefulness

Emotional Attachment

- Attachment theory

How human beings respond within relationships when hurt/separated by loved ones, or perceiving a threat.

Nurturing

- Self actualization (Maslow's Hierarchy)

Research: Home/ Singapore as a Nation

Nation

A large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular state or territory.

Nationalism:

patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts.

National Pride:

- National Anthem, pledge, National Day songs ("This is Home, Truly")

- Unity

Housing in Singapore:

- Rising property rates

- HDB

Familiarity:

- Friendships

- Recognisable

Research: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs / Self Actualization

Psychologist Abraham Maslow (1943, 1954): 

Study of Human Motivation:

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a study by Abraham Maslow to understand what motivates people. It is believed that people possess a set of motivation systems unrelated to rewards or unconscious desires.

"A person is always becoming and never static"

Human Motivation

 is defined as people who seek fulfilment, change through personal growth, discovery that is present in life. Humans are always finding a meaning to life that is important to them.

Human Potential: 

Maslow formulated a more positive account of human behaviour, focusing on what goes right.

Self Actualization:

Refers to the person's desire for self fulfilment, namely, to the tendency for him to become actualized in what his potential is. It is realizing one's potential, self-fulfilment, personal growth and peak experiences.

It is a continual process of becoming, rather than a perfect state one reaches of a "happy ever after" (Hoffman, 1988)

Although everybody is able to be self actualized, most of us will not. Only 2% of the people will reach this state.

"It's a matter of degree. There are no perfect beings" -Maslow, 1970a. P176

Peak Experiences:

Self Actualization is measure with peak experiences.

Person experiences the world for what it is, with feelings of euphoria, joy and wonder.

These vary greatly from person to person.

How to become "Self Actualized":

1. Experience life like a child (full absorption and concentration on things you do)

2. Try new things instead of safe paths.

3. Listen to your own feelings, in evaluating experiences (and not the voice of tradition and authority)

4. Be honest and never avoid pretence

5. Be prepared to be unpopular if views coincide with majority

6. Responsibility and hard work

7. Identify defenses and have courage to give them up

About the Pyramid:

1. The need to fulfil needs becomes stronger the longer duration they are denied (i.e the longer a person goes without food, the hungrier he becomes)
2. One must satisfy the basic level of needs before progressing on to higher levels.
3. In recent years, there has been additions to the pyramid: Cognitive needs (knowledge), Aesthetic needs (appreciation and search for beauty) and Transendence needs (helping others realize self actualization)

Theories about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs being Flawed:Maslow's sample size for the basis of the theory was not the general population but elite male individuals on the time - i.e Abraham Lincoln, etc. They were all of a certain calibre and status. Racially, they were all white. Also, out of the 11 people he surveyed, only 2 of them were women.

Reflection: 

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, although it may not apply to everybody, it is one good way of generalizing the majority of population's motivations and needs. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs sheds light to what people might perceive as "most important" in their lives at any one period of time. Looking at the act of rising one level after the other, one views that each "need" might be almost temporary, until Self Actualization (which is the peak). A person is always "becoming" and never "static". It is the premise of my topic where I'm basing most of my research on. It gives my topic of Self Discovery its definition for me to carry on my research.

RESEARCH: Oculus (Roman Architecture)

The doorstep of heaven: the feeling of timeless evasionThe pantheon is one of the most famous pieces of architecture remaining from the ancient Rome. This marvelous edifice has been built between 125 and 118 B.C. by the emperor Hadrian to honor the pagan gods. The emperor Hadrian was used to never put his name on temple leading to the inscription on the front entrance 

“M.AGRIPPA.L.F.COSTERTIUM.FECIT”“Marcus Agrippa son of Lucius” 

The specificities of the architecture of this temple, like the massive bronze door, which has disappeared today and the triangle section on the entrance celebrate the battle of titans. The state of conservation of this building is due to the catholic, which have used later in history, this temple as a church. This change explains the modification of the building and the melted art that can appear in this place of history. 

In contrast to other building made in the same era, the pantheon is distinguishable by its architecture. The mega structure of the dome is supported by height arches, which are noticeable on the floor level as the house of statues. The architecture skills of the Romans have led them to gradually used lighter and lighter materials as they move to the top of the dome. This materials engineering was necessary to sustain the heavy weight of the dome, which is equivalent to a 43.2m diameter sphere. 

On the central part of the dome stand the Oculus, a door between gods and humans made by an unknown architect and resulting form years of marvelous roman engineering. This inner part of the dome would have been online casino’sgilded, making this place one of the gem of the Ancient Rome. The Oculus of the Roman pantheon, which refers to a circular window in the classical architecture, is probably the biggest one ever built. The Oculus which has never been covered since its creation let the rain fall on the convex floor of the dome to be evacuated through a drainpipes system hidden underneath, built by the Romans and which is still operating. 

In this mythic place of history the only source of light come from this Oculus which shape second after second, minute after minute the magnificence of the inner wall of the dome, making every single visit a different experience. This place has always been a scene of intrigue and mystery. Many books and movies like the da Vinci code of Dan Brown have used this incredible place to share with you this feeling of timeless evasion.

Research: Home

“Perhaps home is not

a place but simply an

irrevocable condition.”

― James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room

Why do we need to find a place called Home?

A physical space/symbol

Attachment/ Sentiment or Emotion

Wholeness

“Home is where the heart is”. 

Home is more than a place or space. It is the feeling of wholeness, knowing that you’re being a part of something greater- something that supports you not only physically but emotionally. Home, is family (also known as a family unit). The family unit is a basic unit of any society. It is the relationship between man & woman that brings together living harmony and peace. This relationship alone provides stability sexually, emotionally, intellectually and socially. A unit provides “healing” even if they do not enunciate it in the form of “Empathic blending”. But most of all, home is not just a physical space or a basic unit. It's a person’s inner balance. The inner harmony and unity that he seeks, inner sanctification. To feel at home, is to feel Whole.

Research: Purpose of Design

“There shouldn’t be any differentiation between form and function,” she maintained in a recent interview. “The idea that form must follow function, that’s out the window; it’s a tired cliché. A good object, a well-designed object, is encompassing. It is unified, the material embodiment of a strong idea…Design is not decoration…It’s less and less about function as an end point, and more and more about access to networks. Increasingly, objects are gateways to different ways of doing things, to different ways of living.”

> Abstracts taken from The Evolving Purpose of Design by Glen Martin

Evaluate: Topics of Consideration

One of the considerations while doing this project was the idea of doing a masters in something or anything in the near future. Because of my background in Communications (in polytechnic), I decided that it should incorporate a few elements of that aspect into my Final Year Project.