ITAA Proceedings 2000 Robert Hilestad Lifetime Achievement Presentation

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© 2000, International Textile and Apparel Association, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ITAA Proceedings, #57 – www.itaaonline.org
2000 Proceedings Cincinnati, OH USA
Theory on Exhibit:
A Presentation upon Receiving the Award for the Robert Hillestad Lifetime Achievement
in Design and Aesthetics
Marilyn Revell DeLong
University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108
In 1997 I gave a presentation at ITAA entitled: "From 'Wow' to Aesthetic Theory." The focus
was about how mindful and systematic observations turned to perceptual and aesthetic theory.
Here I would like to examine how theory informs practice, using exhibits from the Goldstein: A
Museum of Design. The aesthetic theory I am referring to is that of form, space, and meaning—
the relationships of aesthetics and design (DeLong, 1998). This involves building
interrelationships to create the whole that is greater than the sum of parts, and the critical nature
of the relationship of form and meaning in communicate. I believe this is what designing exhibits
is all about.
Axioms to Guide My Actions
Over my life time I have found that the surest way to gain energy is to do what I value. Robert
Nozick (1989), in his book, The Examined Life, explains the relationship between value,
attitude, and energy, To value something is to stand in a particular close, positive psychological
and attitudinal relation to it, a relation itself marked by energy and coherence. Valuing something
is simply doing that particular relational activity. Accepted life principles inform how I practice
my profession. Axioms are defined as self-evident truths and I have identified three axioms.
Axiom #1 is "Pay attention to what I pay attention to." The ability and opportunity to focus
attention, to choose what I will pay attention to, is an important component of my autonomy.
Questions about selective attention pertain to what has value. In the study of perception, we learn
it is impossible for a person to pay attention to everything. There are too any things to observe—
so selections must be made. What we choose to explore is worth responding to, in an active
pursuit.
Axiom #2 is "Pick my passion and pursue it." When I look back on my life, my passions have
become my projects. When I pay attention to what I pay attention to (Axiom # 1) I find myself
face to face with what I value and love, that is, my passions— then I pursue them. For me, the
process of shaping and crafting an artistic project has, as an important part of its impulse, the
reshaping and integration of parts of myself. Thus the creative process and creative activity
involves self-transformation in the fullest sense, transformation of the self and also
transformation by the self. The process of creativity stands for my own recuperative and
transformative powers.