Jane's Pocket Change: The Art of Critical Making
The title of this week’s Pocket Change is the title of a book I have been reading the past few weeks. With a foreword by former Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) president. John Maeda, the book is a collection of essays from RISD on creative practice.
The title of this week’s Pocket Change is the title of a book I have been reading the past few weeks. With a foreword by former Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) president. John Maeda, the book is a collection of essays from RISD on creative practice.
Co-edited by Rosanne Somerson, former provost and now president of RISD, the essays establish a deep intellectual and academic set of reasons behind the idea of “making.” Somerson writes: “As the world grows increasingly complex and fast-paced, with global issues impacting us all, making, materials and meaning are critical.”
Co-edited by Rosanne Somerson, former provost and now president of RISD, the essays establish a deep intellectual and academic set of reasons behind the idea of “making.” Somerson writes: “As the world grows increasingly complex and fast-paced, with global issues impacting us all, making, materials and meaning are critical.”
Since CSW’s move out to Weston in the 1930s, art and design and immersion in many disciplines have been a hallmark of our program. Our students seek to make meaning of the world through hands-on projects, performances and creative juxtapositions. At graduation this past June, history teacher and faculty speaker Patrick Foley described the process and design that led to the “We Are” sculpture outside the Garthwaite Center. Meticulously created, this sculpture represents our community, what we stand for and, quite plainly and simply, our strength and conviction. More powerfully, the student designers completed it after a friend’s untimely death. And yet even more powerfully, two alumni/ae from the 1980s, Jeff Hayes ‘86 and Niho Kozuru ‘86, recently produced another “We Are” piece—based on precise measurements and ratios that created the first—which is smaller and crafted in Niho’s characteristic style. (See picture.)
“Making” is a way to solve problems – it offers open-ended structures, flexibility and frequently relies on collaboration and group process. It tests many skills, exercises the brain, and creates a product that you can see and touch and manipulate.
With our roots firmly planted in our history, the CSW of today moves boldly into the future. As we pay attention to our students, their hopes and passions, we will watch their world of art, design and technology merge easily into one. I look forward to seeing you at our end-of-mod shows in the Garthwaite Center where you will witness first hand what our students make and why.
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Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
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Pocket Change is a web diary written by Jane Moulding, head of school.
The Cambridge School of Weston is a progressive high school for day and boarding students in grades 9–12 and PG. CSW's mission is to provide a progressive education that emphasizes deep learning, meaningful relationships, and a dynamic program that inspires students to discover who they are and what their contribution is to their school, their community and the world.