The use of imagination, the discovering of new ideas and analytical consideration are fundamental to ones practical, social and emotional development. Creativity, innovation and critical thinking are instinctive however it is the discovery of these unconscious qualities that are tough to establish. Development and productivity are usually considered when focusing on the individual, “We grow up to learn the opposite of collaboration. We grow up to learn success and independence are synonymous.” (Ellis, 2012). While singular progress is important and essential for the use of our schools testing and standardisation, one must not underestimate the power of formulating collaborative partnerships to enhance project outcomes, in addition to strengthening core skills such as problem solving, decision-making, communication, critical assessment and evaluation.

 

The darkroom is a creative space necessitating collaboration. It houses interdisciplinary engagement, connection, practice, tuition and dialogue simultaneous to the development of skills and confidence. In this space ideas are shared through fostered experimentation, conveying new senses by enriching the mind's imagination. The concept of play and the notions of compulsive creativity are obvious through the voluminous imagery developed in and around the darkroom equipment: from initial ideas, investigation and exploration to the creation of innovative tactile objects as final outcomes.

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Through creative collaboration teachers and pupils are able to explore imagination, discover new ideas and think critically about development. The power to share ideas, manipulate and create gives art educators and pupils control over collective artistic concepts. Kaleidoscope #2 represents a web of ideas brought about by the concept of play. Photograms, created using natural forms collected by a GCSE student and myself are displayed as an assortment of reflections through a sequence of patterns.

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Ideas of time, reflection, evaluation, assessment, development of skills and knowledge, change and power interpenetrate through the collision of photograms in multimodal forms.