How can we use play in visual space to encourage divergent thinking and creativity?

King’s artist in residence Peter Shenai and neuroscientist & autism specialist Prof Francesca Happé explore the links between drawing & visual language, visual intelligence tests, neurodivergence, and creativity.

Using drawing workshops that disrupt the notion of being a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ drawer, they have been playing with the tradition of assessing child development with the ‘draw-a-man’ test. Informed by research on different thinking styles and neurodivergence (particularly autism), they are now working towards an exhibition in Spring/summer 2022 that will disrupt the medium of visual intelligence tests, playing with its traditional design tropes, its visual language, and its narrative structures, to offer up immersive experiences to prompt debate and discussion on intelligence, creativity, and the cultural value/experience of intelligence testing.

Speakers:

For the last 30 years, Francesca Happé's research has focused on autism through the ReSpect Lab research project. She is actively engaged in studies of abilities and assets in autism, and their relation to detail-focused cognitive style. Some of her recent work focuses on mental health on the autism spectrum, and under-researched groups including women and the elderly.

Peter Shenai’s practice is situated in the interplay between physical objects, sensory cues, play, &novel communication. In ​Hurricane Bells​, he used meteorological data to cast five bells in the shape of Hurricane Katrina, which were taken to New Orleans over the 13th anniversary of the storm and played on by Katrina survivors. Hear more ​here​.

The Festival of Disruptive Thinking showcases how disruptive thinking and innovative ideas can challenge the status quo and create better and bolder solutions in any sector, industry or discipline.

From stem cell TikTok to Nicolas Cage as a cybersecurity icon, from shipping container biotech labs to how to sue for climate action, from inclusive innovation and decolonising universities.

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