The inspiration behind the works……

Intelligent Design?

“It's presented as science but I thought there was very little philosophy and to me it presented more as an argument to prove that God is involved in creation - even if not literal creationism, that God is tweaking and moving the natural order in order to achieve certain results.” Chris Middleton, St Aloysius College Principal.

This was taken from the ABC Encounter Radio programme with Margaret Coffey on the 11^th of June 2006. A discussion on The Intelligent design theory and on a DVD titled Unlocking the mysteries of life produced and distributed by the Discovery Institute, based in Seattle.

“Intelligent Design in one sense is not new at all. The story in Genesis, when God creates the world through the creative power of his voice, God said ... and it is so. Well, that is how the order of the universe came about, by divine design. Well, that is the grand narrative. Intelligent design - this current theory-  is a retelling of that same story. It is doing it on a much more sort of fine detailed level and it is trying to start with those fine details and put them back together in a way that leads us back to that original grand narrative, you know. Rather than starting with the narrative and big picture thinking and then working down into small details, they've gone the other way, but it is still the same story and they are still trying to do the same thing…” Nicholas Coleman – ABC Encounter programme

My inspiration for this series of paintings has been from the discussions surrounding the intelligent design theory. The main inspiration was actually in the wording chosen to readdress “creationism”. Naming it “Intelligent Design” and in particular the intentional use of the word ‘Design’. Also design as a process, and another little known phenomenon of the “happy accident” in design.

To “Design” is to have a brief (set of parameters) and work toward a project solution, an end vision that facilitates a task. For example, to design a chair, the task is to sit. The project is to create a support structure to do this. The solutions which may satisfy this brief are infinite.

As a designer, I am all too aware of the existence of the “happy accident”. My own description of this is an unpredicted outcome emanating from the design process itself. A recent example follows…. while designing a bookcase, I was making a model to see how all the pieces would fit together. I accidentally cut the side of one of the pieces on an angle. While holding it in position I pondered how cutting all of the sides in a similar manner might look. The end result was a far more sculptural an engaging piece, which worked well with the original brief.

As a designer, it is visualising the “happy accident” in the context of a project, and identifying its value to that project. It is the designer’s skill, knowledge and ability to recognise potential solutions that enable them to exploit the “happy accident”.  This may either be as inspiration to further develop an existing idea, or to adapt to the circumstances created by the happy accident as a possible better solution to the project.

It is the latter that I believe is essentially the process of evolution. Happy accident, adaptation or Darwin’s natural selection; call it what you will.

So if there is one “Designer” of all things and happenings; do they not also enjoy the spontaneity that can result from the design process such as the “happy accident”?

These paintings are for me, a personal exploration of the infinite variables of the immeasurable energies and forces that continue to create and shape our physical world. Not so much as to seek a solution for how or why it has come about. But more to just enjoy what is and what could be.