The Dancing Debate of Logic and Creativity in Design

The solidified comfort of logic neglects an uncomfortable aspect of reality – paradox. Piece-in-place logic has built the world, but the built environment is not the totality of earth and logic is not the totality of the mind. 0 and 1 are not always cleanly separated in there distinct categorical boxes. They can be nebulous, 0 and 1 in the same place, at the same time, or a cloud of 0’s and 1’s engaging cross-dimensionally through space and time. Paradox, the experience of inconsistencies within the reality of being. The experience of paradox is surreal and strange but it is what is explained in concept through Quantum physics, and is navigated through the practice and the teachings of Buddhism and Zen.

The Mandala – Traditionally a symmetrical design made of colored sand, a practice of patients and beauty, it’s creation is of the process as its form is impermanent. This mandala like design is painted on the ceiling of a Buddhist Temple in Lumbini, Nepal.

The environment is a part of the individual, the barriers between are mostly illusion, the condition of the environment, designed or not is a part of the human mind. Design is perhaps a form of mental conditioning, putting form to physical matter is like putting structure to mind. The limits of form in relation to the mind are like the limits of a building. A building can never be “not a building”. A building is a defined space where A,B and C are designed to occur. The mind is not a building, but humans build buildings in the mind. A Mind built like a building is constrained to its form and function.

The built mind is a reality, but is not the most real. A slice of the pie, but not the whole. One view, one specific angle, seeing clearly one perspective of the Tree of Life at the center of everything. Natures form and human made form (objects) function and effect the mind differently within the earth system. All things and built creations are formed objects and no object created will ever replace the Tree of Life.

The earth processes are cyclical, momentous and evolutionary. A whole system is biologically regenerative and naturally self-sustaining until an imbalance occurs. Like a river full of debris, congested with plastic bottles and food wrappers, the water does not flow, the generation of form and objects by humans, using natural resources creates issues with the regenerative processes of earth, and yet the trajectory of humans seems to be relentless.

What is to be done?