Creativity in Focus: Phenomenology, Enaction, and Collaboration with Artificial Intelligence

Date & Time: July 17 (Wednesday), 2024  

8:30AM New York/ 1:30PM London/ 8:30PM Beijing/ 10:30PM Sydney

Abstract:

Description:

In this seminar, Dr. Ivan Magrin-Chagnolleau will explore creativity from several angles. We will delve into a phenomenological approach to creativity, examining its application to both mental health and art pedagogy. The phenomenological method emphasizes the importance of personal experience, making it a valuable framework for understanding how creativity operates in different contexts. By adopting this approach, we can gain insights into how individuals engage with creative processes in therapeutic settings and educational environments, highlighting the significance of lived experiences in fostering creativity.

Additionally, he will present the paradigm of enaction as an excellent template for describing creativity as a cognitive process. The enactive approach posits that cognition arises through a dynamic interaction between an individual and their environment. This paradigm shift allows us to view creativity not as a static trait but as an emergent property of active engagement with the world. By applying the enactive paradigm to art-based mental care and art-based pedagogy, we can better understand how creative expression can enhance mental well-being and learning outcomes. This approach underscores the importance of embodied experience and participatory engagement in cultivating creativity.

Furthermore, he will explore the limitations of artificial intelligence (AI) in achieving true creativity. Despite the advanced capabilities of AI algorithms, they inherently lack the ability to be creative by definition and construction. He will examine the three criteria commonly used to define creativity—novelty, surprise, and value—and revisit these criteria to demonstrate how they preclude AI algorithms from achieving genuine creativity. Novelty requires the production of original and unique ideas, surprise entails the creation of unexpected and insightful outcomes, and value necessitates the generation of work that is meaningful and impactful. AI algorithms lack the subjective experience and intentionality required to fulfill these criteria.

However, AI algorithms can serve as a valuable collaborator in the creative process. Dr. Ivan Magrin-Chagnolleau will illustrate this with examples from recent research projects and his own experience as an artist. By leveraging AI algorithms as a tool, human creators can enhance their creative endeavors, using AI algorithms to generate new possibilities, explore alternative solutions, and augment their artistic practice. By integrating AI algorithms into creative workflows, we can expand the boundaries of artistic expression and explore new frontiers in both art and technology.

In conclusion, this seminar aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of creativity through the lenses of phenomenology and enaction, while also critically examining the role of AI algorithms in creative processes.

Speaker:

Curator:

Dr. Krystal Demaine