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Reconsidering the Variables
If the conference raised more questions than it answered, perhaps that is as
it should be. As theatre director
Robert Wilson pointed out in his
provocative closing keynote performance. Wilson has a reputation for
creating spaces where people can think differently—including business people
such as Dormann and his colleagues from Aventis, who have traveled to
Wilson’s Watermill Center on Long Island to hold retreats. Wilson
de-emphasized the importance of having all the answers in both business and
the arts and highlighted the benefits to be discovered from remaining open
to surprises. He illustrated the creative impact of unexpected interactions
on the development of ideas, drawing on his own life experiences.
“My responsibility as an artist is to ask questions. If we knew, there would
be no point in doing it,” Wilson says. “If I come to a conclusion, there is
no dialogue.”
Wilson’s closing thoughts left participants reflective mood about their two
days of unusually open and intensive exploration. Before leaving, many of
those present started formulating plans together for seeking out new
questions and creating more space and time for dialogue. |
