Senses to cultivate the collective consciousness: Physical theatre, an experimental approach to product design education

Abstract

Abstract Consciousness and perception of reality are related to internal and external factors as the sum of collective and social interactions. Attila Grandpierre in his ‘The physics of collective consciousness’ underlined the prime role of performing arts quoting the words of Vekerdy, who said that theatrical artists especially in the ancient Japanese Noh Theatre have a great effect on audience in three ways: using words, hearing by movements, through seeing and the use of intense emotion. Generally in the design field the relation between user and the product is stressed; on the other hand, in the theatre field the ability to explore and underlining the social impact of a specific object or action is important. We might assume that each of us perceives the world differently according to the culture that we are a part of. The ancient Aristotle’s peripatetic School and the context of Zen Buddhism highlighted the senses and experimental knowledge as the first important tools to cultivate intellect. This article will describe an experimental blend created in Thailand between physical theatre and design education.