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What is Innovation?

Year

2021

Materials

Oil paint, mdf, wood

Installation

The artworks are installed in a pyramid shape on a flat surface. Alternatively, if there are many works, they can be hung on a wall. Paper and coloured pencils are provided so that participants can draw their own metaphor of innovation.

Questions

How do you define innovation?

Is everyone's definition of innovation the same? Can they be?

Can you think of any other words or phrases that have vague definitions?

What would be your metaphor for innovation?

Description

These six paintings depict metaphors for innovation as defined by interviewees. One respondent said innovation was like a seedling that had to be planted and nurtured. Another said it was like becoming a master sushi maker because it takes years of hard work and practice. Another said it was like a squirrel collecting nuts for the winter, with the nuts representing ideas. The intention of the work is to ask participants to think about the definition of innovation while also revealing how broad and vague its interpretation can be.

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Dr Tym Yee is an artist and academic based in Sydney, Australia, working on the traditional lands of the Darug and Guringai people.  

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