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The visually appealing storyline of Lauren Zoll's "Off" inspired me to take a striking picture of a naturally lit reflection, which I then used as the centerpiece of my Google Slides presentation. Thinking about the several aspects of creativity was prompted by teaching art or teaching how to think like an artist. I now have vital tools thanks to the Art of Mindful Facilitation for encouraging purposeful and productive communication.

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Engaging with Carol Dweck's perspectives on growth mindset revealed the transformative power of embracing challenges and persisting in the face of setbacks. The practice of creating Zentangles, an exercise in mindfulness and creativity, not only resonated with these themes but also offered a hands-on experience in applying the principles of patience and focus. The discussions and reflections on art, particularly through the aphorisms in "The Definition of Art," broadened my understanding of how mindset influences artistic expression.

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1. How has your understanding of creativity evolved? What connections have you made between theoretical models and your own creative practice?

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1. How has your understanding of creativity evolved? What connections have you made between theoretical models and your own creative practice?

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My grasp of creativity has transformed from viewing it as a rare gift to understanding it as a skill honed through practice, much like Dweck's growth mindset, where challenges are opportunities for growth. The models of creativity we've studied, from Richard's Everyday Creativity to Csikszentmihalyi's stages, have mirrored my own practice, evolving from theory into a lived, dynamic process of continual learning and creation.

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Crum's TEDx talk truly resonated with me, revealing that our beliefs can shape our realities. The "Runaway Species" deepened my appreciation for the brain's ability to innovate by reshaping known concepts, which paralleled my experience with Neurographic Art, a stress-relieving practice that connects the conscious with the subconscious.

The act itself became a reflection of Everyday Creativity, as defined by Ruth Richards, highlighting how daily expressions of originality enhance our well-being.

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from Anthony Brandt and David Eagleman's "The Runaway Species," particularly the idea of breaking conventions, as I experimented with unconventional materials like Clorox and a mirror to create a unique landscape. This melding of McCartney's hands-on challenge with the theoretical insights from Brandt and Eagleman deepened my understanding of creative expression, effectively bridging academic theory with practical artistry.

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AI generated picture according to my question by Ipek

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2. In what ways have you stretched your creative muscles and taken risks during the art explorations?

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2. In what ways have you stretched your creative muscles and taken risks during the art explorations?

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During the art explorations, I pushed the boundaries of my comfort zone, experimenting with new mediums and styles—akin to Boden’s concept of transformational creativity. These forays into the unknown tested and ultimately shattered my self-imposed limits, revealing a wellspring of creative potential I had not acknowledged before.

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I watched this cool video on Csikszentmihalyi's five stages of creativity. Even though the person in the video didn't give proper credit, I found the stages super interesting. It made me realize that creativity isn't just a straight line – it's more like a loop where you keep going back and forth between different stages.

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3. How has the practice of reflecting on your creative process through weekly responses and art exploration write-ups contributed to the development of your creative metacognition?

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3. How has the practice of reflecting on your creative process through weekly responses and art exploration write-ups contributed to the development of your creative metacognition?

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Reflecting weekly has honed my creative metacognition, enabling me to critically evaluate my creative processes and strategies, akin to self-reflection in Helfand et al.'s Four C Model. This practice has been pivotal in recognizing my strengths and areas for growth, much like a painter stepping back to view their canvas, allowing for a more refined approach to my artistry and thought processes.

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Erez Tsalik's TEDx talk on the advantage of thinking inside the box, which emphasized the importance of constraints in fostering creativity. I realized that creativity is not just about individual talent but also about collaboration and embracing constraints. This week's activities have deepened my understanding of creativity and its various facets.

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exploration of how lighting and composition can be used to infuse emotion into photography, drawing on Gestalt principles to elicit human-like responses to non-human subjects. The aim is to manipulate these elements to evoke specific feelings. From the video, the captivating aspect was the influence of perception in art—how simple changes in angle or lighting can dramatically alter the emotional tone of an image.

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How can you apply the lessons from this course to craft a life of meaning and purpose? 

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How can you apply the lessons from this course to craft a life of meaning and purpose? 

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The lessons from this course have underscored the significance of creativity as a transformative tool in shaping a life of meaning and purpose. By embracing a growth mindset, as advocated by Dweck, I've learned to view challenges as opportunities for personal and professional growth. The principles of Everyday Creativity have taught me to infuse creativity into daily problem-solving, enriching both mundane tasks and complex projects. Csikszentmihalyi's stages of the creative process have provided a framework for navigating life's challenges with resilience and innovation.

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Reflecting on Big-C creativity, I marveled at the transformative power of eminent creativity and its impact on society. Additionally, Steven Johnson's video on the playful wonderland behind great inventions underscored the role of play in innovation, reminding me of the importance of embracing curiosity and experimentation in my creative endeavors.

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The common thread is the value of pushing boundaries and blending disciplines for richer, more creative outcomes, as seen in "The Runaway Species," the "Edge Effect" in ecology, and Yo-Yo Ma's lecture on the arts as societal pillars. It's a reflection of the 'edge effect' in ecology, embodying the rich diversity and creativity that arises at the intersection of different realms.

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 Drawing inspiration from Yo-Yo Ma, Esfahani Smith, and others, how can you use your creativity as a force for positive change? What kind of legacy do you want to create?

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 Drawing inspiration from Yo-Yo Ma, Esfahani Smith, and others, how can you use your creativity as a force for positive change? What kind of legacy do you want to create?

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Drawing inspiration from Yo-Yo Ma's belief in the power of art to build bridges and Emily Esfahani Smith's emphasis on a meaningful life, I aspire to use my creativity as a catalyst for positive change by creating art that fosters empathy, promotes cultural understanding, and addresses social issues. My goal is to leave a legacy that not only enriches the aesthetic world but also contributes to a more compassionate and connected society, where creativity is valued as a vital tool for personal growth and collective well-being.

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We took a dive into Glăveanu's "Five A Framework" and it was like getting a new set of lenses to look at creativity – it's not just a solo show but a big, bustling crowd of influences and interactions. Then, Brandt and Eagleman got us thinking about taking risks in "The Runaway Species," which really clicked when I was folding origami for the assignment. T

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Esfahani Smith's video, which delved into the four pillars of a meaningful life, connecting them to the creative process. Simon Sinek's talk on leadership gave me insights into how good leaders can foster an environment of safety and creativity.

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we've interwoven the concept of participatory creativity discussed by Edward Clapp with hands-on artistic creation through Neurographic Art and reflected on this through a quiz on "The Creative School & Clapp Participatory Creativity." In the Neurographic Art project, the random, interconnected lines and vibrant watercolors became a metaphor for the interconnectedness of creative thought as described in our lectures. Just as lichens thrive through symbiosis, our artwork thrived through the integration of various shapes and hues, symbolizing the collective and emergent nature of creativity.

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After watching "Anything is Possible," I was captivated by how Kentridge's South African heritage and his contemplations on social issues have shaped his diverse artistic expressions. This exploration of meaningful art resonated deeply as I took on the challenge of creating a meme for the "Show Me the Monet" art assignment. Choosing "The Tortoise Trainer" by Osman Hamdi Bey—a poignant symbol of the slow pace of change and the endurance required in the face of modernity—I crafted a meme that juxtaposed the painting's historical context with the modern-day frustration of slow internet, injecting humor into my cultural expression

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A Semester's Journey: Embracing Creativity as a Lifelong Companion

As this semester draws to a close, I find myself at a crossroads of reflection and anticipation. The tapestry of experiences I’ve woven—each thread imbued with the rich hues of creativity theories and practices—forms a vivid narrative of my growth. From Dweck’s growth mindset that became the bedrock of my approach to challenges, to Boden’s explorative and transformative creative distinctions that guided my art explorations, each model has carved out a space in my philosophy.

Through the reflective lens of Helfand et al.’s Four C Model, I’ve nurtured an understanding of my creative identity, embracing the metacognitive process to discern the contours of my potential. The inspiring dialogues of Yo-Yo Ma and Emily Esfahani Smith have taught me to wield creativity not as a tool, but as a force—a force for bridging divides, enriching lives, and crafting narratives that resonate with purpose and meaning.

The lessons gleaned are not mere endpoints but beginnings—of a commitment to nurturing the seeds of creativity in every aspect of life. They are a promise to honor the symphony of artistic expression and scientific inquiry, as shown by the parallels drawn in “The Runaway Species.” Like the artists and innovators before me, I am emboldened to reimagine, reinvent, and contribute to the canvas of our world.

In the end, this is not just a reflection but an affirmation—a declaration of my intent to carry forward the legacy of creativity as a lifelong practice. It is a vow to infuse creativity into my future pursuits, ensuring that the journey of discovery, learning, and making does not end here but continues to unfold in the chapters yet to come.