Communication molecules :
Palo Alto's 5 axioms of interpersonal communication explained
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This exhibit showcased Gregory Bateson and Paul Watzlawick's 5 axioms of interpersonal communication, the two key figures of the Palo Alto school. The 5 axioms were represented a group of molecules surrounding a central atom. For the students, this was an abstract way of representing the fusion of scientists and thinkers that coalesced around the different schools at the origin of communication theories, which is why they entitled their exhibit "Communication molecules: When science meets thought". The central atom, made of a white big ball is surrounded by 5 smaller balls suspended to it, each representing the 5 axioms of the Palo Alto school.
The choice of colours of the central atom and the molecules was not left to chance. The central atom in white represents the colour of hydrogen and the 5 red atoms around it make reference to the colour of oxygen. The red colour of the molecules also reflect the fact that without oxygen, we cannot breathe, just like without blood running in our veins, we cannot live. The white colour of the hydrogen (a colourless gas) ball is also a reminder that hydrogen is a principal component of the sun and without the sun, we also cannot live.
Furthermore, a plastic square piece of paper in black was attached to each molecule on which the students had printed keywords alluding to the 5 communication axioms such as "social conformism", verbal and gestural relation», «non verbal communication», «feedback», «symmetry and complementarity». Using the keywords as clues, visitors were invited to guess to which axiom a given keyword referred. For instance, Palo Alto's axiom that "to communicate is to enter into the orchestra" is reflected here by the keyword «social conformism».
At another level, this exhibit is a metaphor expressing the fact that without communication, we cannot function harmoniously as a society. The video below and photo gallery give more details of this exhibit.
The choice of colours of the central atom and the molecules was not left to chance. The central atom in white represents the colour of hydrogen and the 5 red atoms around it make reference to the colour of oxygen. The red colour of the molecules also reflect the fact that without oxygen, we cannot breathe, just like without blood running in our veins, we cannot live. The white colour of the hydrogen (a colourless gas) ball is also a reminder that hydrogen is a principal component of the sun and without the sun, we also cannot live.
Furthermore, a plastic square piece of paper in black was attached to each molecule on which the students had printed keywords alluding to the 5 communication axioms such as "social conformism", verbal and gestural relation», «non verbal communication», «feedback», «symmetry and complementarity». Using the keywords as clues, visitors were invited to guess to which axiom a given keyword referred. For instance, Palo Alto's axiom that "to communicate is to enter into the orchestra" is reflected here by the keyword «social conformism».
At another level, this exhibit is a metaphor expressing the fact that without communication, we cannot function harmoniously as a society. The video below and photo gallery give more details of this exhibit.
The photo gallery below show pictures of some of the other arts projects designed by the students in this 2018 winter course.
2018 Vintage |
2019 Vintage
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