UAT Orders Art Through Chaos

A crowd gathered on the UAT back patio late in the morning April 19, forming a half circle. In front of them was a piece of canvas slightly larger than a projector screen, and students and faculty members painted, sketched and glued their inspiration on the cloth. Hours later, several of the artists returned to add new wrinkles to the multicolored fabric, covering over the old.

For instructor and organizer Paul Andrus, the unfolding of the final painting was indeed order through chaos. Andrus coordinated the all-day event to coincide with Dr. Margaret Wheatley's upcoming campus visit, echoing Wheatley's theories on systems thinking and management through art.

In the works for a month, the event was born from efforts for the art committee to represent Dr. Wheatley's theories. After researching Wheatley's ideas and consulting Dr. Maxwell on systems thinking, Andrus crafted the art project idea, using a large-sized canvas to lure people's creativity. "Therefore, we would be getting all kinds of ideas and suggestions being put on the canvas, without any real knowledge of where it's going or why it's there," said Andrus.

The occasion kicked off around 11 a.m. with a speech from Dr. William Maxwell and University President Dominic Pistillo made the first contribution to the canvas.

Throughout the day, dozens of students and employees took turns forming their ideas in paint and other media. Andrus monitored its progress and "kept the composition alive" by adding to the painting. "Maybe is just a matter of flinging some paint on there, to getting a color on there that seems to be lacking."

While the canvas was ample-sized, participants soon ran out of blank space. A plastic backdrop protecting the wall was a natural - and creative - extension for the artwork. "I never expected anyone to be painting on the plastic - that's a total surprise," said Andrus. "That's part of the systems thinking, too. It's the unexpected element that you don't expect that comes into play."

Ending at 5 p.m., the artwork was a stark contrast to the initial paint splatters. A full-fledged work of art emerged, with quotes, photography and cardboard giving it a frenetic, three-dimensional look.

Andrus was excited about the results and seeing the UAT community join together in creating art. "It makes me feel good. I feel like it was a success. I'm glad everybody got involved ... and made a contribution, and they keep coming back," he said. "Creation is a reaction to the elements around you."