Embedded Creativity: Structural Interconnections Between Materiality, Visuality, and Agency in Everyday Perceptual Settings

Abstract

Abstract. The goal of the article is to examine how some material surfaces contribute to the social consequentiality of the everyday visual experience, generating, transmitting and disseminating nonverbal social meanings, making up bulk of contemporary world's communicative practices, even its very social fabric. Unlike most of the current -otherwise enormously productive -theoretical initiatives making the social functions of material objects and surfaces the main focus of their social-theoretical inquiry, an approach proposed in this article lays emphasis on some formal structural correlations between the modes of materiality of visually perceived phenomena and the behavioural and emotional opportunities for perceiving subjects. I propose the notion of "generative surface" as the most semantically dense and socially consequential type of visual materiality -a sort of perceivable surfaces that, in contrast to mere physical ones, constitute meaningful material settings substantially influencing our creative capacities within everyday experiences.

“Creative Placemaking”: A Conceptual Model Fostering Social Cohesion in Community Spaces Within Residential Environments

“…Finally, the inhabitants' interactions form a network of relationships that lead to the residents' belonging of the place. Adding physical aspects to make locations more social, where people can connect, relax, and participate in their daily routines is critical (Inishev, 2018).…”

“…By incorporating the arts into wider community revitalization and placemaking activities, creative placemaking programmes help to establish strong, healthy, and resilient communities while also driving social change (Markusen & Nicodemus, 2014). Creative placemaking promotes several values that resonate with libraries and library professionals: equity, arts and culture, creativity, community engagement, partnerships, and stewardship (Inishev, 2018). A feeling of place is one of the most evident benefits of creative placemaking, converting uninviting or unipersonal areas into appealing, meaningful, and memorable locations.…”