Week 2 - Curriculum in Art Ed

SYMPHONY

Pink describes symphony as the “capacity to synthesize rather than to analyze; to see relationships between seemingly unrelated fields; to detect broad patterns rather than to deliver specific answers; and to invent something new by combining elements nobody else thought to pair.” 

The ability to use the aptitude of symphony—or to synthesize—is especially important in today’s Modern world full of options and stimuli.  This abundance of information can be overwhelming.  “Those with the ability to see the big picture—to sort out what really matters—have a decided advantage in their pursuit of personal well-being.” 

In art, drawing is a skill that demonstrates the ability to synthesize what is seen.  An artist must have the ability to look at the big picture, as well as details.  An artist must be able to see relationships between one line to the next, one form to another, one space to another space, etc.  Drawing is all about relationships.  Similarly, Symphony is largely about relationships.  “People who hope to thrive in the Conceptual Age must understand the connections between diverse, and seemingly separate, disciplines.  They must know how to link apparently unconnected elements to create something new.  And they must become adept at analogy—at seeing on thing in terms of another.”

One large aspect of symphony is metaphor.  “Understanding one thing in terms of something else.”  Pink quotes Twyla Tharp when she says, “Everything you create is a representation of something else; in this sense, everything you create is enriched by metaphor.”  This quote really resonated with me.  I’ve never thought about metaphor in that way—as anything created.  Additionally, the fact that everything created is a representation of something else is hard to believe; yet I do think it’s true.  Anything I create references some type of experience I have had. 

Metaphors also allow for empathy.  “Metaphorical imagination is essential in forging empathetic connections and communicating experiences that others do not share.”  Furthermore, metaphors help us understand ourselves.  “A large part of self-understanding is the search for appropriate personal metaphors that make sense of our lives.  The more we understanding metaphor, the more we understand ourselves.” 

I think symphony—or synthesizing—is one of the most important senses.  I think it is one I identify with most.  Drawing connections between seemingly unrelated subjects and ideas is so interesting to me.  I also love simple things such as creating titles for pieces, or writing poetry, etc.  Those that have the gift of symphony, such as composers and conductors, have the ability to organize relationships into “A whole whose magnificence exceeds the sum of its parts.”   

Furthermore, the “Conceptual Age also demands the ability to grasp the relationship between relationships.  This meta-ability goes by many names—systems thinking, gestalt thinking, holistic thinking.  I prefer to think of it simply as seeing the big picture.”  Pink states that the ability to perceive “One’s own life in a way that encompasses the full spectrum of human possibility is essential to the search for meaning.”